United Biscuits - Case study: Fewer transport miles

United Biscuits (UB) is achieving fewer and friendlier food transport miles under its 'Green is Lean and Lean is Green' transport strategy.

The company has placed improved transport network design and vehicle utilisation, aided by satellite tracking systems and driver training, at its heart. Transport collaboration and backhauling by UB's fleet is another key facet, to ensure that vehicles are utilised on return legs to company sites.

In 2008 UB has developed its backhaul with suppliers and has driven transport collaboration with customers and other food manufacturers and is also now involved in fronthaul activity with Asda and Tesco. UB has also developed collaboration with other food and drink manufacturers and this transport sharing has removed 350,000 miles this year.

Overall, UB's strategy helped it to avoid 3.1 million road miles (18%) in 2008 compared to 2005, reduce empty running of its vehicles from 21% to 13% and increase vehicle fill by an average of 11%.

Cumulatively, the strategy should save about 4,700 tonnes in CO2 emissions by the end of 2008, some of which (9%) will come from the company's adoption a 25% bio-diesel mix in its vehicles made from reusing waste oils from its manufacturing sites.

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