PLYMOUTH, Mich. -

Finished vehicle transport logistics company United Road promoted Ryan Kraft to chief digital officer.

In this position, his responsibilities will include integrating United Road’s technology footprint across the supply chain to provide strong experience for customers, carriers and vendors.

Kraft has been with United Road for nearly 12 years in various roles such as financial analyst and most recently, vice president of operations technology.

“United Road is technology-forward,” said United Road president and chief executive officer Mark Anderson said in a news release.

Anderson continued, “We are using technology including artificial intelligence, across the United Road supply chain to support the needs of the end-user — our customers, carrier partners, vendors —  giving them digital tools and information in real time. Ryan’s background in finance and IT and his deep understanding of our supply chain make him a natural fit for the journey ahead. Our end-goal is to make it easy and efficient to work with United Road.”

The use of digital tools is an important part of the equation, Anderson said, noting United Road’s commitment to moving vehicles easily and safely and building relationships with its customers, carriers and vendors.

Kraft recently led development of Haully, United Road’s logistics technology platform that provides third-party carriers mobile access to vehicle loads, including backhauls, 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

“A customer portal that gives real-time delivery status helps our customers meet their customer commitments,” Anderson said.

He continued, “Using Haully, a third-party carrier can claim a load and find a back-haul via mobile phone. Telematics in our trucks are helping United Road avoid time-stopping breakdowns. These are examples of how United Road is deploying technology to support the supply chain.”

Kraft began his career at Ford Motor Co. in Michigan as a financial analyst. He also previously served as chief information officer at Wilbanks Energy Services in New Mexico.