Green logistics: Transplace honored for 3PL sustainability at eyefortransport conference
Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor -- Logistics Management, 10/16/2009
SAN FRANCISCO — In conjunction with Eyefortransport's third annual "Sustainable Chain Summit," Transplace was recognized as "Best 3PL for Sustainability."
"The awards are voted on by customers -- the manufacturers and retailers who in large part depend on their 3PLs to help green their supply chains," said Katharine O'Reilly, vice president of research for eyefortransport. "This award represents excellence both in customer service and industry innovation. Transplace has proven their commitment to both, and has been recognized for it with this distinguished award."
In an interview with LM, Transplace senior vice president, Steve Robinson, observed that "going green" is no longer just an option for freight intermediaries.
"Their customer's customers are mandating that this be done," he said. "So as 3PLs, we must make sure there are no surprises or disruptions in the supply chain."
Transplace spokesmen recently pointed to Sunny Delight Beverages Company (SDBC) as a recent example, and shipper spokesmen concurred.
According to Ellen Iobst, chief sustainability officer and senior vice president, manufacturing and technology for SDBC, "Sunny Delight Beverages Co. is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of its transportation operations."
A key component to Transplace's pursuit of sustainable supply chain operations is its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership. SmartWay recently honored Transplace with an Environmental Excellence Award for the second year in a row. This collaborative program developed by the EPA and the United States freight industry provides tools and information for companies to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, and promote cleaner, more efficient surface freight transportation systems.
"We understand the importance of a sustainable supply chain and are working hard to be environmentally responsible within our own operations as well as promoting those practices to our customers," said Transplace chairman and CEO, Tom Sanderson.
Shippers at the two-day conference in San Francisco were told by a number of other industry experts that the trend is irreversible, and that laggards ignore the signs at their peril.
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