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Tag: sustainability

Dachser switches to 100% green electricity

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As of 1st January, 2022, Dachser will be purchasing only electricity generated from renewable resources. This means that the logistics provider, which operates 387 of its own locations in 42 countries, is increasing its proportion of green power from around 60% to 100%.

In Germany and the Netherlands, the family-owned company had already switched to green power beforehand. In addition, Dachser will significantly step-up its in-house generation of renewable energy and, as a first step, is installing and expanding photovoltaic systems on the roofs of its European logistics facilities and office buildings. By 2025, its current capacity will more than quadruple, to over 20,000 kWp of installed capacity.

“We’re implementing two basic building blocks of our climate protection strategy by switching to purchasing electricity solely from wind, solar, and hydropower worldwide, while also expanding our own production of green electricity,” explains Stefan Hohm (pictured), Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Dachser.

“These actions are reducing our carbon footprint. At the same time, our demand strengthens the production of green power and contributes to the expansion of capacity in Europe for generating electricity from renewable sources.”

Efficiency, innovation, and inclusive responsibility: these are the cornerstones of Dachser’s long-term climate protection strategy. The family-owned company’s initiatives aim at efficient logistics processes, energy savings, and technological innovation. Dachser believes this is the best way to limit GHG in line with the 2°C target set by the Paris Agreement as well as the climate protection targets of the European Union and many other countries.

To this end, the company works together with customers and partners who are also keen to actively shape how logistics moves to adopt low- and zero-emission technologies. Employees too are closely involved in climate protection activities, with a commitment to society and social issues that goes beyond Dachser’s own direct business interests.

 

Hyster maintains strong environmental impetus

Posted on by David Priestman

Hyster Company has set ambitious environmental goals to achieve by 2026. Now at the halfway point, Hyster reveals the progress so far of its green manufacturing initiatives and innovative products and solutions designed to help customers achieve their sustainability goals.

“Part of the overall goal is to significantly reduce our global carbon footprint,” explains Conal McNally, Environmental Engineer for Hyster Europe. “Moreover, environmental targets have been set to reduce carbon emissions, VOC emissions from painting operations, and hazardous waste all by 30%, and water consumption by 20%. We also aim to achieve zero waste landfill at all sites and to offer a greater range of alternative products that enable customers to cut emissions cost-effectively.”

Most manufacturing processes tend to create waste. As a global manufacturer of industrial products, Hyster recognises the importance of responsible material use and is pushing to mitigate its waste footprint across all aspects of the value chain. The majority of waste created in the manufacturing of Hyster lift trucks is now being recycled.

For instance, in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where Hyster Big Trucks are produced, any non-recyclable waste is incinerated in the Netherlands’ cleanest burning facility, and any excess heat is used for heating in the factory building and nearby homes. Solar panels have also been fitted to provide some of the power to the site.

“We have already achieved our goal of zero landfill waste at our manufacturing site in Nijmegen,” adds McNally. “And the plant producing Hyster trucks in Craigavon, UK, has also been extended with similar green initiatives at the centre of its design and build.”

The new building design includes a smarter approach to heating, a more effective use of natural light, the creation of areas for biodiversity, and a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) amongst other important initiatives. 97% of waste from the site is now recycled, and waste to landfill has reduced by almost 45%.  A specialist at the site is working to use materials responsibly in the packaging of Hyster products, and to increasingly make packaging recyclable and sustainable.

To further support the reduction in its carbon footprint, Hyster also employs low-emission methods to deliver finished trucks to customers, wherever possible. Hyster ReachStackers, for instance, can be transported by barge from the Nijmegen facility to the main port of Zeebrugge in the Netherlands. Transport on the water reduces the number of trucks on the road, helping save on fuel consumption.

“As well as implementing sustainable manufacturing processes, we are also evolving the complete range of Hyster products towards low or zero emissions with key advances in technology and truck design.,” says McNally. “From Big Trucks used in ports and terminals, right down to low-capacity lift trucks in busy logistics operations, Hyster products increasingly incorporate a range of clean energy solutions.”

For example, innovative applications of lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells are enabling Hyster to develop zero-emission Container Handlers and ReachStackers for the first time.

Plus, Stage V engines that comply with EU emission regulations are introduced for Hyster Big Trucks, with capacities of 8t or more, helping businesses comply with emissions legislation, while also heightening productivity, and reducing the cost of ownership for the customer.

In 2021 the Hyster J10-18XD lift trucks (pictured) were also launched, featuring lithium-ion battery packs and up to 18t lift capacity, for comparable performance to ICE trucks, but with zero emissions.  This follows the recent launch of the 7-9t lift capacity, J7.0-9.0XNL series of electric lift trucks, with fully integrated lithium-ion batteries and rapid opportunity charging.

“A big part of our green approach is supporting customers across multiple industry sectors in their own sustainability objectives with the right products, and the right aftermarket solutions, such as carbon-neutral lubricants,” says McNally.

Some Hyster Big Trucks for the European market are prefilled with Shell’s carbon-neutral engine oil, and it is also in use at the factory producing Hyster lift trucks in Craigavon, Northern Ireland.

“The demand for sustainability is growing across all areas of the materials handling industry, to comply with legislation, company environmental targets, and CSR policies,” says McNally.  “Like many of our customers, we are closely monitoring our performance and progress against our own environmental goals and continue to strive for ambitious targets in EMEA. Similar progress is also being made by Hyster in JAPIC and the Americas.”

 

DP World trumpets European green credentials

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Innovation holds the key to reducing emissions and creating a greener and more sustainable trade and logistics industry in Europe, according to global end-to-end logistics and smart trade enabler, DP World.

DP World operates 20 terminals in 12 countries across the breadth of Europe, all of which are at various stages of their respective journeys towards implementing more sustainable operations.

The Netherlands

The business has an impressive story to tell in Western Europe where its Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal, located in the Netherlands, is on the pathway to be the first carbon neutral container terminal in the world.

The fully electric terminal – renowned for its high level of automation – boasts a number of new and existing green innovations and technologies, including 84 electric lift AGVs (automated guided vehicles) that operate on green electricity and 18 state-of-the-art cranes that capture and regenerate their own energy. The use of plastic and other oil-based packaging materials at the terminal has also been cut back and all of its waste products can now be fully recycled.

In addition, RWG is also the first deep-sea terminal that is ‘LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) ready’ and is capable of loading and unloading containers whilst the vessel is refuelling. The transition from using fuel oil to LNG as a sustainable fuel represents an important step in making shipping and the industry more sustainable.

Belgium

In neighbouring Belgium, DP World Antwerp (pictured) has its own set of impressive green credentials, as the first terminal in the world to publish its own sustainability report. Between 2017 – 2018, the report found that DP World Antwerp saved over 10.6 million kilograms of carbon dioxide over a four-year period, while the business simultaneously took over 90,000 trucks off the Belgian roads in the space of a year by offering greener intermodal options.

Its commitment to sustainability is exemplified in its investment in automated stacking cranes, wind turbines and a biogas plant. In addition, the new operations building at the dock – part of the business’ €200m investment plan at the port – harnesses residual energy to control the temperature of the building, making it almost energy neutral.

Denmark

Elsewhere in Europe, DP World-owned Unifeeder, based in Denmark, is a provider of the largest feeder and shortsea network in the region. The innovative firm recently introduced new state-of-the art live tracking technology – ‘Actual Emission Tracker’. The real-time tool calculates, on a micro level, the emissions of each individual twenty-foot equivalent unit, thereby giving businesses greater awareness, visibility and control over their overall emissions.

In September this year, Unifeeder announced its ‘ElbBlue’ vessel was carrying out a world-first trial voyage using liquefied Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), a synthetic form of LNG that is carbon-neutal and generated from 100% renewable energy.

Turkey

In Turkey, DP World Yarimca recently purchased hybrid vehicles and installed solar panels at the terminal that are expected to generate 4% of its annual electricity needs, helping to reduce overall carbon output by over 220,000kg per year.

Rashid Abdulla, CEO, DP World – Europe and Russia, CEO, commented: “We are absolutely committed to doing all we can to help not only our own operations, but also our supply chain partners and customers, reduce their carbon footprints. We are making great progress in the region, which is largely due to the adoption of innovation and technology, which drives awareness and visibility of where action can and must be taken.

“Over the next decade, consumer choice and corporate procurement responsibilities will drive this type of emission tracking and data capture from being a ‘nice to have’ to a ’must have’ and we want to be at the forefront of driving that highly significant change in attitudes.

“Our terminals in Rotterdam and Antwerp are leading the way and we have a number of exciting green solutions that will be implemented in other areas of Europe over the next five to ten years.”

Europe

Another key part of the firm’s green strategy in Europe is to reduce the number of trucks on the roads, achieved through the increased accessibility of intermodal transport across inland Europe. As a result, DP World’s Inland business unit – which operates across Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands – offers resilient trimodal-transport solutions to its customers, acting as a bridge for the flow of trade between European deep-sea ports and its network of inland terminals.

The firm offers rail and/or barge infrastructure at approximately 95% of its terminals in the continent and is investing further across its portfolio, including further east at its ports in Serbia, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey, helping to create more sustainable routes stretching across mainland Europe.

Abdulla continued: “Our Inland network is absolutely key to our strategy in Europe, with established rail networks in the UK and the vital Hinterland area in the northwest. However, our trimodal transport strategy stretches further east where our terminals in the Ukraine (DP World TIS Pivdennyi) and Turkey (DP World Yarimca) are already seeing the benefits of rail investment.”

A recent study revealed that, when using the same amount of fuel, trucks move cargo a fraction of the distance compared to alternative modes of transport such as rail and barge. The studied highlighted how trucks – operating off 4.5 litres worth of fuel – can only transport a ton of cargo 233 kilometres, whereas rail and barge achieve significantly higher distances of 768 and 1,041 kilometres respectively.

One significant example where DP World is looking to maximise barge use is on the River Danube, which passes through more countries than any other river in the world, thereby making it a hugely important trade route.

Barges on the Danube can transport goods all the way from south-west Germany, through several mainland countries, including Serbia – served by the DP World Novi Sad terminal, all the way through to DP World Constanta in the southeast coast of Romania, where it meets the Black Sea Basin connecting to Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Abdulla added: “It is no secret that the industry must come together to make genuine and impactful sustainable changes as we look to achieve as a sector in supporting the net zero emission commitments made in the Paris agreement.

“At DP World we are very aware that we still have a long way to go, but we are excited by the progress made in recent years and we are in no doubt that we will be at the very forefront of that conversation in Europe.”

Quantron aims to become zero-emission vehicle OEM

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Quantron AG, specialist for commercial vehicles with electric and hydrogen drive trains, is setting out to become an OEM for zero-emission vehicles. To strengthen the identity of the products and the Quantron brand, the company is bringing international design expertise on board.

The aim of the “Quantron vision 2025” project is to build a strong brand DNA by creating a unique Quantron look and feel. Vehicle design not only has an aesthetic function, but also has a major impact on aerodynamics and thus on the vehicle’s energy consumption.

The experts accompanying Quantron on this journey are well-known figures in the mobility-industry: Italian car designer and design strategy consultant Fabio Filippini – who led for more than six years the Pininfarina Transportation Design in Turin – and Spanish design and innovation consultancy Mormedi, led by Jaime Moreno.

Fabio Filippini comments on his collaboration with Quantron AG: “Quantron has built very strong roots in its past. Transforming these into the new world of Quantron, which is a much more complex ecosystem of services, existing and new products, presents a great challenge for any creative. That’s why I wanted to include Mormedi, which are specialized on this type of brand identity within the transportation industry. That way we can make sure we’re up to the big challenge as one team.”

Jaime Moreno of Mormedi complemented his words: “This is a great opportunity. Today we need brands like Quantron that are committed to zero emissions. And they are not dreamers, they are already building vehicles. What we want to offer Quantron is a vision of what the new products will look like in the next five to ten years.”

Quantron vision 2025

The “Quantron vision 2025” project begins with a unique Quantron design for its 12m bus, which will be launched in the near future. A Quantron design for a light truck and a heavy US truck are also in the planning stages.

Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG, explained: “Quantron AG has the vision to become a global leader in zero-emission global transportation services and products. Therefore the unique touch and feel of the design has to be in sync with the brand DNA of Quantron, which stands for clean technology and zero-emission.

“There is no better team to give Quantron a global identity than Fabio Filippini and Moreno. Our ambition has to be that by 2025 latest, our sustainability focussed customers will recognise a Quantron product at first sight, clean, sophisticated, high-tech and representing the future of sustainable transportation.”

CLICK HERE to view a video of the cooperation announcement

 

Zero-carbon asset management solution launched

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Semtech and Ryoden have announced a new zero carbon asset management solution with a RE Family Microcontroller from Renesas. The solution features a Renesas RE Family microcontroller (MCU) to connect directly to the LoRa Cloud utilising Semtech’s LoRa Edge platform (LR1110), and provides enhanced security features. The addition of the LoRa Edge platform allows for geolocation capabilities driven by the world-class battery-free green energy solution and is best applied for tracking of personal valuables, transportation and logistics, animals, and health care.

“The demand for green energy solutions are increasing as the world becomes more conscious of the environmental impacts we make,” said Dr. Shiro Kamohara, senior principal specialist from Renesas’ Low Power Product Department. “The energy-harvesting RE Family represents the evolution of MCU products that have the advantages of being maintenance-free while keeping top-class efficiency. Through our collaboration with Semtech, we are able to offer a cost-efficient green energy solution for our customers.”

Deemed the ‘world’s most energy efficient MCU’ by Renesas, the new RE Family MCU is based on the Arm Cortex M0+, and consists of a built-in controller which can make a battery-less, maintenance-free product, ideal for energy-harvesting applications. The new solution also features security capabilities that are critical to the Internet of Things (IoT) and can help protect IoT embedded devices from viral infections and eavesdropping.

In addition, when integrated with Semtech’s LoRa Edge (LR1110) platform, the power consumption of the product is extremely reduced, providing cost-effective savings to end users.

“The collaboration between Ryoden, Renesas and Semtech is in line with our overall strategy of extending low power geolocation to newer IoT platforms and applications,” said Sree Durbha, director of product management in Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “With the low power nature and end-to-end security of the LoRa Edge platform, the embedded LoRa Basics Modem-E native modem software operating on the LoRaWAN standard, and the LoRa Cloud geolocation and device and application services, the Renesas RE Family is one of the most power-efficient MCUs available on the market.”

Target applications for the LoRa Edge platform with Renesas RE Family include asset management, tracking of goods through the supply chain and several other use cases requiring continuous indoor or outdoor tracking.

Logistics company encourages rewilding

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Warehousing and logistics providers Johnston Logistics UK is supporting its sustainability policy by allowing green spaces to blossom. The grassy areas, spread around Johnston Logistics UK’s 130-acre site in Norfolk, have been encouraged to grow with plants and foliage that support local wildlife.

As part of its focus on enhancing sustainability, Johnston Logistics is allowing its outdoor spaces to grow to benefit both the environment and its staff and visitors.

It has made changes including minimising its mowing routine and allowing plants to flower to create nectar for bees and other pollinators.

“We’re making the most of our green areas by encouraging nature to take over,” says Jane Bull, Head of Compliance for Johnston Logistics UK. “We’ve seen big improvements already including in our lagoon which is flourishing and has already welcomed back ducks and other visitors.”

Allocating green spaces for nature gives a number of benefits, including providing habitat for insects and wildlife, capturing CO2, reducing emissions by not mowing or using pesticides, improving biodiversity and encouraging native wildflowers.

Greener spaces also benefit Johnston Logistics UK’s employees as they are associated with better physical, social and mental health.

“It seems everyone is experiencing benefit from our re-wilding project,” continues Bull. “Whilst plants, birds and animals are clearly benefitting, it’s lovely to hear the insects buzzing and see the wildflowers blossoming again. Many staff have commented how it makes the working environment much more serene and tranquil.”

The Norfolk-based operation provides a full range of services including warehousing, supply chain logistics, contract packing, pick and pack and e-commerce fulfilment. With over 40 years’ experience, Johnston Logistics UK is trusted by major supermarkets, leading brands and growing companies alike to deliver their third-party logistics.

“Going wild has been a big success but we’re not finished yet. By encouraging the right species of native plants, we can encourage even more wildlife to re-enter our site and breathe life into our environment,” concludes Bull.

Stena announces LNG collaboration

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Stena Power and LNG Solutions, a subsidiary of leading shipping conglomerate Stena AB, and Global Energy Storage (GES), a developer and operator of energy storage terminals, have announced a strategic partnership to identify and advance LNG logistics and storage solutions.

Together the two companies bring the full range of LNG terminal and logistics expertise from floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) to onshore terminal and fixed jetty solutions. In addition, Stena owns three LNG carriers which it can deploy as Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) or floating storage, potentially together with innovative jettyless and/or offshore power solutions that do not require onshore facilities.

GES says that LNG is seen as a vital tool in enabling developing economies and emerging markets to switch from traditional sources of energy to lower carbon sources. These economies, such as those in Southeast Asia and Latin America, continue to have a strong demand for gas and power.

Peter Vucins, CEO of GES, says: “This is an exciting and important partnership for GES. We regard LNG as an important transition fuel, especially in emerging markets where there is a strong demand for gas and power and a structural need to switch from coal to lower carbon solutions such as LNG.

“We are also interested in exploring opportunities with regard to blue hydrogen production where LNG is combined with carbon capture to make low carbon hydrogen. The possibility to deploy existing LNG carriers with onshore terminal solutions means that we can move quickly to provide our customers with a full range of solutions.”

Göran Hermansson, Chairman, Stena Power and LNG Solutions says: “At Stena we offer wide-ranging, integrated LNG solutions that provide operational and commercial advantage with increased safety. Our work is underpinned by our values of care, performance and innovation.

“By working with Global Energy Storage, we can share our wide-ranging, industry-specific knowledge to better achieve our mutual objective of delivering more sustainable energy infrastructure solutions to communities across the world.”

 

 

BYD attracts attention of fruit industry

Posted on by David Priestman

BYD Forklift Europe, the world’s leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), has brought a selection from its range of 100% zero-emission forklift trucks to Fruit Attraction 2021 in Madrid at its stand 6B01 in hall 6. BYD is using its presence at the show to demonstrate to the Spanish and European fruit and vegetable industry the many cost savings and operational benefits of running an emission-free materials handling fleet.

With the unique BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery at the heart of each of its products, BYD forklifts enhance a business’s green credentials whilst also offering significant cost savings and operation benefits. Furthermore, BYD Iron-Phosphate Batteries come with the most advance design, highest levels of safety and an industry-leading 8-year (or 10,000-hour) warranty, offering companies in the fruit and vegetable sector a safe, reliable, and long-term materials handling equipment partner.

Fruit producers will also be reassured to learn that BYD has an established professional dealer network covering 100% of the Iberian Peninsula, ensuring fast and local service and support.

Visitors to BYD’s stand in the ‘Auxiliary Services’ area of Fruit Attraction will be greeted by a selection from its fast-charging BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery powered range of equipment, including:

  • The eye-catching BYD ECB20S, BYD’s latest forklift truck. Displayed at an exhibition for the first time in Europe, the BYD ECB20S completes its three-wheel counterbalance range. This fully-equipped workhorse offers a tremendous amount of options, and like all BYD Iron-Phosphate powered equipment it allows you to top-up the battery at short intervals during operator breaks, ensuring highest levels of availability around the clock.
  • Two versions of its popular stacker truck, the BYD EPS14, one with a fold-down platform and one which is walk-behind. With a nominal capacity of 1400kg and lifting heights of up to 5400mm, these stackers can comfortably handle most internal operations found in a busy fruit processing environment.
  • The versatile BYD PTW20S pallet truck, for heavier nominal loads up to 2000kg, can be used to load and unload trucks swiftly and efficiently, as well as in areas such as a warehouses where space is at a premium.

Any business in this sector operating a forklift truck or a fleet of materials handling equipment will already most likely be using electric-powered equipment. The main difference is that, most of these will be powered by traditional lead-acid batteries which are not only notorious for spilling acid and leaking gasses, but also run with a considerably reduced capacity the more they are used.

That’s why manufacturers of forklifts are rushing to embrace lithium-ion technology, as it eliminates these health and safety issues and offers longer-lasting batteries with a greater operational window. However, as a sector-leading innovative company, BYD is a step ahead of the game as its 100% maintenance-free Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer many more benefits than standard lithium-ion batteries.

For example, they can be charged from 20% battery life to 100% in just 60 minutes. The efficiency of the BYD Iron-Phosphate Battery means the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a BYD forklift can be as much as 60% lower than an equivalent lead-acid battery powered rival.

BYD is unique amongst forklift makers in that it designs, manufactures and develops its own batteries and battery management systems (BMS), the same tried-and-tested technology that sits at the heart of its market-leading range of electric buses that can be seen in major cities and airports across Europe and the rest of the world. Additionally, BYD produces critically-acclaimed passenger cars and trucks, ensuring its technology is operating successfully in the most challenging and demanding conditions.

“BYD understands the business of fruit and vegetable producers and processers, and have developed a range of products that are very well suited to handle the lifting and moving challenges they face,” says Ignacio García, BYD Forklifts Country Manager Iberia. “With a growing network of dealers in the region and a range of safe, reliable equipment, BYD can also help companies operating in this industry sector to enhance their green credentials.”

Visitors to Fruit Attraction 2021, which is taking place in Madrid on 5th-7th October, are invited to visit the BYD Forklift stand to find out how to reduce their logistics costs, optimise their operational efficiency, and demonstrate a quantifiable improvement in their environmental profile which they can use to help win new customers and retain existing business.

Combilift expands electric range

Posted on by David Priestman

Irish materials handling specialist Combilift has officially launched its latest product, the Combi-XLE, as a further addition to its impressive range of electric models. In line with the growing demand for electric powered equipment, this multidirectional forklift with up to 5t lift capacity, combines emission-free operation with powerful performance for a wide range of industries and applications.

The original engine powered XL C-Series model was developed to address the requirements of tough working environments such as those in the timber, concrete and steel sectors. The new Combi-XLE incorporates the same key design features as its earlier counterpart such as high ground clearance, large cushioned front and rear tyres and a spacious cab, allowing smooth operation on semi rough terrain whilst offering a high level of driver comfort.

With sustainability ever higher on the agenda, Combilift further helps its customers achieve their environmental goals with its versatile “3 forklifts in 1” models, which work inside and out, reducing fleet size and thereby their carbon footprint. A hallmark of all Combilift products is the ability to increase storage capacity without expanding the size of a facility, resulting in lower energy usage and associated costs such as heating, lighting and maintenance, which is of significant benefit to the environment and the workforce.

Noise pollution and carbon emissions, which can impact on the health and well-being of people as well as wildlife, is also no longer an issue  thanks to electric power. Drivers, employees and visitors on site appreciate the quiet operation, as do neighbouring residents and businesses, particularly in urban areas.

The Combi-XLE incorporates up-to-the-minute technology such as the patented all-wheel traction that reduces tyre wear, load swing and enhances braking. Also included is a newly developed, patented Eco-Steer System which provides a smaller turning radius and improved user experience. Since Electric powered trucks do not have traditional combustion engines, or hydraulic transmissions, there is no longer any need to check and top up engine fluids/lubricants, resulting in longer intervals between services, ultimately saving costs. The use of toughened, eco-friendly water-based paint also dramatically reduces the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during build.

“The technology we have incorporated into the Combi-XLE means that its performance is equally on a par with diesel or LPG powered forklifts when it comes to handling very bulky and heavy loads, whilst of course offering a greener operation,” said Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar. “We made our first electric C-Series over 18 years ago, and now over 60% of the trucks we manufacture are electric, with availability in almost all models across our range. As more and more of our customers are opting for electric power it is obvious that they are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are.”

At Combilift’s own manufacturing facility, features such as daylighting technology – LED lights with individual PIR sensors, solar panel energy and rainwater harvesting are all aimed at conserving natural resources and decreasing energy consumption. 92% of all components used in the truck assembly are 100% recyclable and the company is also on track to save over 473t of CO2 by using carbon neutral wood chip instead of gas for heating within the factory.

Customer testimonial

Roger Bullivant Limited, part of the Soletanche Freyssinet Group, manufactures precast concrete elements for installation in engineered foundation systems. Its production director Dave Clement says: “At our South Derbyshire precast factory, we use five multidirectional Combi-XLE trucks to transport product from the factory to storage and then to load-out for distribution nationwide.

“As we had already been using Combi units for years, the product decision was straightforward, and from a driver perspective, the operation remains essentially unchanged.

“The reasons to move to electric were twofold: to eliminate exhaust particulates in the factory and as part of our Group environmental plan to minimise our carbon footprint. So, an improvement to the environment in more ways than one.”

 

CLICK HERE to watch a video of the Combi-XLE: https://youtu.be/N5CG8_YhCgU

 

Tiger supplies DPD with 250 trailers

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading express parcel delivery specialist DPD is introducing 250 Tiger trailers to its UK logistics fleet during 2021, with the orders from the Cheshire manufacturer split into two product types, one of which has impressive green credentials.

Delivered in several batches respectively, Tiger Trailers is amidst manufacturing 100 tandem axle single-deck box van trailers, alongside 150 moving deck double-deck trailers which have been designed to deliver enhanced durability and environmental efficiency.

Darren Wilson, Associate Director – Linehaul & Transport, DPD UK, commented: “DPD’s sustainability strategy is based on examining every aspect of our operation to make it more efficient and better for the environment. We thrive on innovation and that’s exactly what Tiger is doing in the trailer space.

“We’ve ordered over 250 trailers from them to support our growth, all of which will be manufactured in the UK using the latest technology and greenest components. In fact, the material being used on the double-deck trailer panels is constructed in such a way as to be totally recyclable. We love working with suppliers who share the same values and goals and Tiger is certainly one such supplier.”

DPD’s Tiger-built double-deck ‘wedge’ trailers incorporate a Hatcher Aero at the front and feature sidewalls made from Tata Steel’s thin, lightweight yet strong 10mm Coretinium composite sheet material solution, which is efficient at all stages of its product life cycle, from minimising raw materials in its creation, to saving weight and maximising payload space to help reduce fuel and CO2 emissions.

“Up to 85% of the material, produced at our Shotton Works in Flintshire, can be recycled without separating the skins from the core,” explains Edwin Richards, Technical Sales Manager Coretinium, Tata Steel, who adds: “The honeycomb product enables us to create material-efficient solutions. Having teamed up with Tiger Trailers on double decks in 2019, it’s great to now be involved in the supply to a company like DPD who place such strong value on the whole life impact of their trailers.”

A number of Tiger’s moving deck double-deck trailers for DPD incorporate the manufacturer’s latest digital touchpad control panel that replaces a traditional wanderlead setup, and the deck is operated by the OEM’s proven 4-ram hydraulic system that maximises the space available inside the vehicle, whilst also requiring reduced maintenance over the life of the trailer. The double-deck trailers also feature galvanised chassis and stainless steel rear frames.

Meanwhile, the single-deck box van trailers have been equipped with various high-impact protection features and nose guarding to mitigate potential damage during coupling. The vehicles’ Goodyear KMAX D Fuel Grip tyres are specifically designed to provide robustness in regional and urban environments, backed by slow wear and ensuing high mileage capability, while the non-slip phenolic coated plywood floor is made from environmentally friendly material sourced from sustainable and 100% traceable forests in Finland.

Stephen Pollock, Tiger Trailers’ Business Development Director, comments: “We’re proud to be working closely with DPD in manufacturing these two different products for their fleet. Online retail and delivery have proliferated even more quickly in recent months, so we are very pleased to be able to support DPD in getting parcels delivered safely and on time as the company strives to offer its customers increasingly wider choice. We echo DPD’s sentiments over sharing passions for innovation, technology and environmental sustainability, and look forward to supporting DPD and its green trailers.”

Tiger Trailers is one of the UK’s leading semi-trailer and rigid truck bodywork manufacturers and has, over the last two years, introduced Tiger Finance and Tiger Rentals divisions to its fast-growing operations, along with the Siberian range of temperature-controlled products, and Tiger Parts, stocking OEM components in parallel with other brands and specialist components.

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