How Metalsa streamlines cross-border shipping to achieve 95% on-time pickup and delivery
Company snapshot
Profile
Industry: Automotive manufacturing
Size: 3,000+ employees
Headquarters: Monterrey, México
Overview
Metalsa is a global manufacturer specializing in structural components for light and commercial vehicles, including chassis frames, body structural stampings, and assemblies for passenger cars, buses, and heavy and light trucks. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, the company has over 60 years of experience in the automotive industry. Metalsa’s light vehicle division is located in Apodaca, Nuevo León.
Opportunity
Bringing logistics operations up to modern speed
Even the most innovative manufacturers can run into challenges when it comes to logistics. For Metalsa, an industry-leading structural components manufacturer for light vehicles, keeping up with a high volume of shipments in a 24/7 operation was becoming increasingly complex—especially to manage shipments originating in the U.S. with Mexican destinations. Their logistics processes were still largely manual, requiring multiple communication steps to track shipments and ensure on-time deliveries.
With time-sensitive deadlines to supply original equipment manufacturers across the globe, including Toyota and Stellantis, with critical chassis parts across a mix of rail and truck—managing both inbound and outbound deliveries efficiently was a growing challenge. They needed a better way to consolidate shipment information into a single, real-time source of truth that would provide the visibility and control needed to keep operations running smoothly.
Solution
End-to-end visibility and dynamic capacity through managed transportation
Through Uber Freight’s Managed Transportation Services, Metalsa’s entire logistics operation functions like a well-oiled machine.
With its Transportation Management System (TMS), Uber Freight manages everything from Metalsa’s inbound parts and material handling equipment to their sequencing centers, which are strategically located near OEM customers. The TMS enables Uber Freight to optimize routes, improve planning, and handle carrier tendering for Metalsa all in one place. Uber Freight collaboratively oversees Metalsa’s shipment planning, carrier assignments and rate maintenance, freight audits, dock scheduling, cargo claims, and more, enabling real-time visibility into Metalsa’s shipment statuses through GPS tracking.
Uber Freight also manages Metalsa's legacy carriers, as well as the newer carriers that have been onboarded through Metalsa and added to the TMS system.
Since integrating Uber Freight’s brokerage arm, Metalsa has benefited from more competitive and efficient pricing, enabling cost savings on their inbound logistics. The improved tariff structure, along with access to real-time capacity and load tracking, has helped streamline operations and drive additional savings.
Using Uber Freight's BI reporting, Metalsa accesses detailed data analytics and insights about their expansive logistics network through Insights AI, including weekly and monthly KPI reporting. They’re able to create personalized dashboards to focus on the most relevant metrics for their cross-border business, including cost analysis, delivery times, carrier compliance, CO2 emissions, and route optimization.
A key factor in Metalsa’s success has been the strong collaboration with the Uber Freight Managed Transportation team. With dedicated support and hands-on implementation expertise, the partnership goes beyond technology—it’s a true team effort.
Results
Big savings delivered with experience and expertise
Metalsa has gained the visibility and control needed to streamline decision-making, improve processes, and drive cost savings. The ability to manage shipments through a single platform—combining TMS capabilities with Uber Freight’s brokerage services—has led to a more efficient, modernized approach to logistics.
By using Uber Freight’s Managed Transportation Services, Metalsa has achieved:
95% on time pick-up
95% on time delivery
100% tender acceptance
98% check call compliance
98% check call timeliness
This increased visibility and optimization have also resulted in significant savings for Metalsa, with annual inbound transportation costs reduced by nearly 10%.
The combination of advanced software capabilities, as well as the reliability and availability of Uber Freight’s team of experts, has allowed Metalsa’s business to thrive. As Metalsa continues looking to add new plants to their operations, having a logistics partner that works shoulder to shoulder with them is proving to be a critical advantage.
Automotive suppliers can increase efficiency, end-to-end visibility, and cost savings with Uber Freight, a strategic partner with the industry-leading combination of technology, expertise, and capacity. We offer intelligent logistics solutions tailored to the complex Tier 1 , Tier 2, and aftermarket supplier needs, enabling scalable operations for diverse product requirements – from high-precision components to bulk shipments.