Supply chain management is one of the least glamorized – and most important – functions of virtually every business in the world, especially for those in rapid expansion or early stages of growth.
For Leaf Home, a home solutions provider, this became evident as the company scaled from fewer than 30 locations to over 250 across the U.S. and Canada. It quickly became clear that more advanced tools were needed to keep pace with the industry growth Leaf Home was seeing, while concurrently integrating with existing technologies, such as its ERP.
Matt McKinney, director of logistics and distribution at Leaf Home, said the company used to rely on manual processes and labor-intensive DIY solutions to manage its operations. As the company grew, this approach became unsustainable.
Leaf Home was seeking a transportation management system (TMS) that could scale with its rapid expansion to a fully streamlined operation. This time, however, Leaf Home needed more than just basic functionality such as login credentials and loading carrier rates and data — it required comprehensive support tailored to its growing needs.
Supporting complex shipping needs
Leaf Home moves a variety of products – like gutter accessories, home safety solutions and water treatment systems – across its 250-plus field offices before delivering them to homeowners, the company’s final customers.
This process means that Leaf Home’s individual field offices are, in a sense, also the organization’s customers. Products must arrive at these locations on time in order to make it to the end customers. Even one delayed shipment can have a domino effect.
“We take pride in speed to install. To uphold our promise of ‘done right at every step,’ we must prioritize timely delivery,” McKinney said. “Delays can disrupt operations and impact customer satisfaction.”
Leaf Home’s wide range of products and short shipping timelines made it crucial for the company to find a logistics partner that was inherently adaptable. McKinney noted the importance of finding a partner that could work quickly and collaboratively with Leaf Home to tackle complex supply chain scenarios.
“Uber Freight felt like the obvious choice,” McKinney said. “There are plenty of systems with good reputations, but many only offer a tool, not a partnership. Uber Freight delivered both, and it’s crucial to work with a partner who aligns with your approach to problem solving and innovation.”
By leveraging Uber Freight’s TMS, Leaf Home was able to consolidate operations into a single system with automation, enabling high growth without increasing head count.
What sets Uber Freight apart
Uber Freight manages $20 billion worth of freight across multiple industries and has a proven history of working directly with shippers to shape its technological offerings, resulting in customizable solutions. The company works with each customer on an individual basis to find the best solutions to fit their unique objectives, according to Michelle McBride, director of logistics applications at Uber Freight.
“It’s not just about technology,” said McBride. “It’s about understanding what it takes to be a true partner in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) environment.”
Leaf Home was drawn to the dedicated team overseeing every aspect of the implementation, from financials to freight optimization. “This comprehensive support was the key differentiator,” said McKinney. “Collaborating with Uber Freight’s IT team and driving the process forward enabled us to achieve outcomes we couldn’t before, ultimately enhancing customer service.”
Recently, Uber Freight has invested over $120 million in technological innovations designed to meet the needs of both its customers and the carriers in its network. The company offers a vast ecosystem of solutions, ranging from real-time visibility tools to workflow automation offerings.
At the end of the day, however, Uber Freight’s true power lies in the company’s ability to meet its customers where they are and guide them into the future.
“When you look at the investment that has gone into our infrastructure it has to be intuitive, user-friendly and customizable,” McBride said. “None of it matters if the customers’ objectives are not properly understood.”
For Leaf Home, that objective is rapid adaptability. Uber Freight has worked with the company to integrate a suite of solutions that support that objective while simultaneously gathering robust and actionable data.
“Data is our north star,” McKinney said. “Without reliable data, we’re essentially flying blind. ”
With Uber Freight, Leaf Home is able to access market comparisons and go into carrier conversations with negotiating power for the first time, according to McKinney. This ability – along with features like Uber Freight’s shipment routing guide and automation tools – have fundamentally changed how Leaf Home runs its supply chain.
Click here to learn more about how Uber Freight’s TMS can help you run a more efficient operation.
Click here to access the Uber Freight and Leaf Home on-demand webinar.
