Bunge announced the launch of Vector, a technological solution that allows freight scheduling via mobile phone. The tool gathers information about Bunge's cargo available for handling: pickup and drop-off locations, a timeline for pickup and delivery, as well as the quantity per ton. Drivers registered in the app can select a freight and schedule the load in a few seconds, without the need to personally attend one of the company's branches to withdraw the load order, which becomes digital and confirmed at the time of choice by the truck driver.

Since it is integrated with Bunge's operating system, one of the main differentials of the tool is that it allows not only scheduling but also automatic confirmation, guaranteeing the load to the driver. Because it eliminates a face-to-face stage of the process, the tool also reduces the exposure of professionals to situations where physical contact is necessary: the time for freight and deadline negotiations.

The goal with this innovation is to optimize transportation partners' time, allowing them to have less downtime and spend more time on the road. The company's logistics operation in Brazil involves 320,000 truck drivers at its base who carry more than 25 million tons of grain per year. In total, the amount of freight for the transportation of goods can reach around 3.5 billion reals annually.

"The dimensions of Bunge's operation mean that Vector starts already as a giant player in this market," said Bunge logistics director Makoto Yokoo, who projects that 50,000 drivers will be using the platform by the end of the first year of operation of the app.

In gradual implementation since January 2020, the Bunge said Vector has already recorded more than 23,000 downloads and 18,000 profile registrations and is handling about 45% of the company's total cargo by road. The app is now available throughout Brazil, with versions for the Android and iOS operating systems.

Registering for truck drivers to use Vector is simple and completely digital; they just need to take a photo of the CNH and a selfie, and the system automatically fills in the information. From there, the drivers can have access view of the freight and select and schedule the shipment. In addition, Vector will encourage the improvement of services, since truck drivers will be evaluated, and those with the highest scores will have priority in scheduling loads, the company said.

“We understand Vector as an innovation in the management of our business, as technology optimizes Bunge's processes, which simultaneously starts to publicize its freight offers to a wide base of drivers, giving us the opportunity to involve employees today very dedicated to operational tasks in more analytical functions. Vector allows Bunge employees and truck drivers to make better use of their time,” Yokoo said. “In this pandemic scenario, the tool is also a great ally of the driver for reducing the exposure of professionals to face-to-face situations. We are already seeing an increase in the number of active users since the last two weeks of March. Today, about 35% of the total drivers who downloaded the app are active users of the tool, compared to 20% in early March.”