Outsourced Logistics

ISO14000 and showing action on the environment

Any manufacturer looking for a logistics partner that is serious about the environment needs to look at actions rather than words. It is great for a logistics company to have an environmental policy, but unless the policy is embedded into company culture, from management down, there will be no environmental benefits whatsoever.

The environment is a concern for many consumers in the UK and globally. Colour images and television footage of environmental disasters reach mass audiences and manufacturers need to avoid any potential media hazards that could associate their products with a lack of environmental care. Manufacturers therefore need to have confidence in their logistics suppliers and show that they have chosen a responsible logistics partner .

The ISO14000 certification is a good way for manufacturers to differentiate between logistics companies that talk green and those that act green. DSV is entering the final stages of ISO14000 certification and has found the process to be a very useful way to identify our environmental impacts, set targets to reduce these impacts and demonstrate legal and social compliance to customers.

Improved efficiency = reduced fuel consumption

In many cases, being green can also save companies money. Therefore a key consideration when choosing a logistics partner is to look at how they can maximise efficiency for your business. DSV, for example, places increasing emphasis on improved load planning, reduction of empty running and optimised routings. These measures not only reduce logistics costs for manufacturers, but also reduce fuel consumption.

Fuel accounts for approximately 35% of DSV’s total transport costs and unsurprisingly it is also by far the highest contributor to our carbon footprint. While we have analysed the possibility of employing alternative fuels, we are not convinced that this is the best path to take. The Carbon Trust have recommended improved driver training with an emphasis on reducing fuel consumption.

Taking on this advice DSV has already started a pilot scheme using a team of drivers from each area of its business to identify the environmental and cost benefits that can be achieved using the Department of Transport’s Safe & Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) standard.

For some companies with less complex transport systems than DSV, the SAFED standard has produced improvements in fuel usage of up to 10%. The objective of the pilot scheme we are launching is to monitor the impact of the SAFED driver training and development programme, draw comparisons between the different areas of our business and see if the benefits justify introducing SAFED for all of our drivers.

Energy efficiency and renewables

Just as manufacturers look to reduce energy consumption in their factories, they need to choose logistics providers who also consider these same priorities. DSV is looking at a range of ideas to be more energy efficient, particularly in new-build locations. As well as low energy lighting with timers and light sensors, it is considering the use of wind and solar energy and heat source pumps.