Mars UK - Case study: Fewer transport miles
Mars in the UK is achieving significantly fewer and friendlier transport miles
by maximising the load fill of delivery trucks, minimising journey distances,
working with hauliers to implement environmental best practice and using rail
rather than road wherever viable.
Mars UK's petcare, chocolate and food products each require different strategies
to minimise transport miles. For example, imports are a significant
characteristic of the petfood business. By shifting production from continental Europe to
facilities within the UK, the company is progressing its green agenda.
Warehousing has been re-organised from the beginning of 2008 to take a mix of
products. This has enabled consolidated deliveries of petcare, chocolate and food
products, thereby improving truck fill. This has saved over 500,000 road
kilometres per year.
The utilisation of available cube space on factory clearance vehicles has also
been under scrutiny. Some sites have implemented the use of double deck trailers
or double stacking pallets with others coming on stream throughout 2009.
The hauliers operating for Mars UK all have to demonstrate their green
credentials. Use of technology and driver training has been proven to lower the fuel use
within these companies.
On a smaller scale, Mars UK shares a rail service to Scotland for some of its
products with other suppliers. This mode of transport produces only 10% of the
greenhouse gases of transporting the same load a similar distance by lorry.
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Last reviewed: 22 Dec 2009