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We are conscious of the energy footprint transportation has on the global environment. Transportation is an essential element of life and commerce. All aspects of the supply chain, from primary producers to consumers have a binding dependence on transportation for sustainability.
The sustainability of life and commerce through transportation of goods and services, versus the essential need for environmental sustainability is a challenge that must be met. Traditional methods of transportation have to be examined and tested for best practice. Innovation and technology need to be harnessed with transport modes to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
All transport companies, from SME’s to large corporate integrators are examining the components of their respective supply chains to deliver energy efficiency. Many companies operate in as little as one mode of the vertical ladder, often within one town or city, however, each part of the supply chain is reliant on the next part in the chain. There is an overriding commitment to collaborate within industry and the sharing of beneficial routes, ideas, technology and know-how so that as a whole industry, we can deliver benefits to the global community while still sustaining life and commerce.
GT-EX is one operator within a global industry. Dependence on supply chain partners is critical. GT-EX has a consciousness that every part of the chain, no matter what size, is important. Our processes are constantly refined and developed to ensure we leave the smallest footprint. Some of these processes include:
Our investment in IT goes back to 2004 when we first looked at booking efficiencies as a way of developing our unique point of difference in an industry that was swamped with paper trails, multi part consignment notes, bulky invoices and mail delivery. Starting with the key driver of “simplicity” in all aspects of our engagement with customers and suppliers, we committed resources into the new “cloud” medium and developed the first internet paperless booking system in our industry. Paperless bookings are now very much mainstream. This has a significant impact on the consumption of non-renewables as well as reducing paper use.
Planning our vehicle routes utilising route optimization technology increases the efficiency of our ground fleet and reduces carbon emissions through less fuel-burn.
Each one of our ground fleet are subject to strict maintenance scheduling. This increases the longevity of a prime asset and reduces wastage of non-renewables over the life cycle of the vehicle. Routine tyre pressure checks and driver behavior monitoring are small ways that our own delivery staff can contribute.
Dynamic notifications have a dual benefit of increasing efficiency in delivery KPIs while reducing the route kilometres covered and avoiding returned deliveries. With dynamic deliveries, residential addresses are telephoned during route planning to determine the availability of the receiver or whether an alternate delivery point is necessary.
Smart procurement is a multi-value driver in our business and our industry. Key decisions on procurement assist company sustainability, service sustainability and environmental sustainability. Each one of these is independently important and when matched together are mutually compatible. Some examples of smart procurement are:
Through our sustainable procurement model and innovative packaging design, GT-EX actively encourages bio-degradable, re-usable and recyclable materials. This reduces landfill, pollution and carbon emissions.
The transport chain begins and ends with the first and final mile pickup or delivery. To support our sustainability model, GT-EX maintains a modern fleet of vehicles supplied by automotive partners recognised for their own environmental credentials. Volkswagen and Hyundai are the chief suppliers of light vehicles to our GT-EX fleet. Vehicles are purchased on a 5-year life cycle program. You can read about Volkswagen and Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility programmes at the following links:
Office consumables including warehouse packaging are a significant component of commercial waste. Ultimately contributing to less landfill, the use of renewable resources at GT-EX ensures our secondary and tertiary packaging meet stringent product evaluation prior to adoption. Evaluation methods include multi-use versus one-way use, renewable/recyclable, return and exchange and degradability.
Small components, comprised in a “whole of enterprise” engagement with our social and environmental responsibility, a responsibility that empowers each member of GT-EX to make their own difference. Within a world of major challenges in environmental care, our philosophy returns responsibility back to the individual to make the little things count.
The global supply chain requires many companies working together to drive efficiencies and service levels to benefit the consumer. GT-EX, as part of the supply chain, looks to our partners for “best in class” operating methods and efficiencies. As we take an internalised view of what we can do in the external environment, so we should expect our transport partners to also lead the way with environmental responsibility and sustainable goals in reducing the environmental footprint.
We are proud of our supplier/partner relationships. We continue to evaluate new methods and ways of driving efficiencies in collaboration with our partners in transportation. To evaluate these requires an understanding of each corporate social responsibility agenda: