Industry-leading innovators Kinara International have helped facilitate Uber Eats‘ $17M investment in the safety of its two-wheel delivery people across Australia and New Zealand.
The London-based global supply-chain and logistics company has planned, designed, manufactured and delivered a new range of custom-made personal protective equipment (PPE) that Uber Eats will distribute for free among couriers in those countries who ride bicycles, scooters or motorbikes.
With their delivery riders’ safety on the roads a key priority, Uber Eats knew exactly where to turn when it came to creating a range of clothing and bags that could be tailored to the exact specifications and requirements of the people who use them, while at the same time providing them with the protection they need.
Kinara International Vice President Sid Dadlani said his company was thrilled to be able to meet the challenge head-on, while at the same time growing its long-standing partnership with Uber Eats.
” Working collaboratively with Uber Eats on such an important safety initiative, resonates with our core values and we have put all our efforts behind making this a success in a very short space of time. To be Ubers trusted partner to facilitate this $17m investment just shows how much our relationship with Uber Eats worldwide has grown since 2017 cementing us as the go-to organisation to facilitate a project of this nature”
As part of the design process, Uber Eats consulted closely with more than 40 of its delivery people and also worked in close consultation with industry experts such as NGO We Ride Australia.
Over six months, the PPE has been carefully co-designed with Kinara’s team, with the focus not just on the effectiveness of the gear, but also making sure that it is fit-for-purpose, so couriers find it durable and comfortable to wear or use.
The safety gear is also tested by third-party expert SGS, a world-leading testing, inspection and certification company, to ensure certification for Australian and New Zealand safety standards are met.
Uber Eats estimate that, through this investment, more than 150,000 new and active two-wheel delivery people in Australia and New Zealand will benefit from the free distribution of PPE, which includes high-quality and high-vis safety vests, rain jackets, delivery bags and bike kits.
Naturally, Uber Eats’ Senior Strategy & Operations Manager, Ben Spoor, was hugely grateful to Kinara International for facilitating the roll-out of what he described as a “landmark project”.
“It’s been a big six months of work,” he said.
“I’m excited to scale distribution across ANZ from here and see our bright fit-for-purpose delivery gear on the roads in the coming months.
“A special thank you to our invaluable partner in this project, Kinara International, who, under the leadership of Sid Dadlani, have made this possible.”
