When a company undergoes rapid expansion through acquisitions, the resulting operational complexity can be daunting. Meridian Adhesives, a chemical manufacturer, faced this challenge head-on after bringing together 12 diverse manufacturers of glues, adhesives and sealants. The company’s journey from fragmented freight operations to a unified, efficient system offers valuable insights for businesses grappling with similar growth-related hurdles.
In a recent webinar hosted by FreightWaves and Uber Freight, industry experts delved into Meridian’s transformation and the broader implications for companies seeking to optimize their freight management in an era of consolidation and change.
The webinar featured Daniel Moran, corporate logistics manager at Meridian Adhesives, alongside Heather Hawkins, vice president of strategic customer success at Uber Freight.
Why partnership matters when scaling a business
Meridian Adhesives’ story begins in 2018 when the company was formed through a series of acquisitions. By June 2022, as the company faced acquisition by private equity, the need for a “one Meridian” approach became evident. The disparate operations of the 12 acquired companies had led to a lack of data visibility and inconsistent freight management practices.
“Each site was emailing brokers and running small, individual quote bids. We didn’t have a consistent or scalable strategy, let alone the technology infrastructure to support one,” Moran said.
This fragmentation prompted Meridian’s leadership to initiate their first comprehensive supply chain initiative, starting with a freight RFP that included both 3PL and 4PL providers.
Among the six providers considered in the 4PL RFP process, Uber Freight stood out for its structured, customer-first approach coupled with their visibility and reporting features within the Uber Freight TMS.
“We assign dedicated teams to manage every step of implementation—from upfront planning to full integration,” Hawkins said. “Our focus is on uncovering root challenges and solving them through strategic partnership, not just surface-level fixes.”
Uber Freight understands that transportation management isn’t just a function of growth; it’s a critical enabler of operational and strategic advantage. Growing businesses demand smarter solutions and a proactive approach.
This approach resonated with Moran, who needed more than just a vendor. He needed operational support and strategic input. Uber Freight brought both, helping the Meridian team manage their day-to-day challenges while also thinking long-term.
As a strategic logistics partner, Uber Freight combines industry expertise, technology and a powerful carrier network that delivers capacity, visibility and efficiency.
The impact of a strategic logistics partnership
The partnership between Meridian and Uber Freight quickly bore fruit. After a few months of implementation, the first site went live in November 2023. By early 2024, all sites were fully integrated, with every carrier running through Uber Freight’s scalable TMS. This integration brought significant benefits, particularly in data visibility and cost savings.
Uber Freight’s TMS is designed to meet users exactly where they are, then make them better. The software helps decision makers maximize revenue while simultaneously reducing risk and gaining control over their shipments. This powerful combination of benefits enables companies to unlock their potential.
“In our 2023 RFP, Uber Freight uncovered savings of roughly 22% from $14M in addressable spend. In 2024, savings came in around 12% on $9.5M. We also avoided an additional ~3% by procuring spot freight capacity on Uber Freight Exchange,” Moran said.
One of the key strengths of the partnership has been Uber Freight’s ability to adapt to Meridian’s specific needs. The adhesives manufacturer faces unique challenges, including the transportation of hazardous materials, management of bulk tank shipments and the necessity for temperature-controlled transport for water-based adhesives.
“We built out a protect-from-freeze LTL strategy that runs year-round, not just in winter, but even during summer months when necessary,” Moran said.
Uber Freight has been able to seamlessly customize its offering to Meridian’s unique situation. This level of customization also extends to carrier relationships, where Meridian leads the strategy while Uber Freight provides support, recommendations and access to its carrier base when needed.
The future of freight management
For many companies, Meridian’s challenges are all too familiar. In today’s changing freight market, scalable, shipper-friendly technology that can adapt to businesses of all sizes is more important than ever. Additionally, strong partnerships matter more than software alone in navigating unpredictable freight markets.
As companies work to create plans for the coming months, leaders need access to strategies for driving efficiency and visibility with limited internal resources. A relationship with Uber Freight can unlock those strategies.
Partnerships like the one between Meridian Adhesives and Uber Freight demonstrate the power of combining strategic thinking with adaptable technology. The recent webinar offers valuable insights for any company looking to streamline its freight operations in the face of growth and change.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Meridian’s transformative journey. Stream the webinar today and discover how your company can navigate the complexities of freight management in today’s dynamic business environment.
