Müller Dairy (UK) - Case study: Fewer transport miles

As a recent signatory to the Transport Commitment, Müller Dairy has carried out a full review of its transport operations. Working in partnership with their third party haulier, Culina Logistics, they have implemented FDF's 10 Point Checklist and Clause for Greener Food Transport.

Detailed information about miles per gallon, driver driving style and efficiency is being gathered to enable areas for improvement to be identified. A driving efficiency league table is kept to recognise the most efficient drivers and to identify those requiring additional training. A review of delivery points and minimum order quantities is also being carried out with a view to making savings in overall miles travelled.

Vehicles are replaced every three years to ensure the transport fleet maintains its efficiency, plus a number of regular e.g. checking tyre pressure on a daily basis, to ensure all vehicles maintain optimum operating parameters for fuel efficiency.

Culina's partnership with Müller involves, on a monthly basis, the haulier providing specific environmental information to the company and performance service review meetings being held in order to discuss Key Performance Indicators that have been embedded into the contract.

This "green sheet" of environmental information includes miles travelled, fuel used, pallets per load, relating to all Culina customers in aggregate and not solely the provision of the services to Müller. The information is provided to enable Muller and Culina to measure progress against the agreed Key Performance Indicators such as maximising vehicle loading.

Müller is very aware of the opportunity to make further improvements to the environmental impact of the food and drink manufacturing sector and believes transport to be one of the key areas that can make a positive difference to the environment.

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Last reviewed: 22 Dec 2009