What is middle mile transport?

The middle mile refers to the stage of a product’s journey between the point of manufacture or import and the distribution centre or fulfilment hub. In other words, it’s the link between warehouses and regional sorting centres - a crucial step before goods move to the last mile, where they are delivered to the end customer.

Why is the middle mile important?

An efficient middle mile service ensures that goods are in the right place at the right time, ready for final delivery. Delays or inefficiencies at this stage can create bottlenecks, drive up costs, and disrupt last-mile performance. A well-optimised middle mile transport service improves visibility, reduces transit times, and helps retailers and logistics providers maintain consistent delivery schedules.

How does middle mile transport differ from last-mile delivery?

• Middle mile transport involves moving goods in bulk between warehouses, fulfilment centres, or regional hubs.
• Last-mile delivery, focuses on delivering individual orders directly to customers.

While the last mile is often seen as the most visible part of logistics, success depends heavily on how efficiently the middle mile operates.

What challenges does the middle mile operation face?

Middle mile transport can be affected by a range of challenges, including:

• Lack of real-time visibility into shipment status
• Poor route planning or driver scheduling
• Limited coordination between multiple warehouses or carriers
• Rising fuel and operational costs

These challenges make it essential to partner with a transport provider like Efret, who have the experience, technology and expertise to overcome them.

How can technology improve middle mile logistics?

Modern logistics platforms and fleet tracking systems allow for real-time visibility, automated scheduling, and data-driven route optimisation. This means businesses can anticipate disruptions, adjust routes instantly, and gain accurate insights into performance and costs - all of which enhance supply chain efficiency.

Why choose Efret for middle mile transport?

Efret combines advanced technology with hands-on operational expertise to deliver high-performance middle mile solutions. As a first-tier logistics provider for Amazon, we operate to the highest industry standards, ensuring reliability, scalability, and transparency for our clients across Europe. For more information, please get in touch.

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