It is anticipated that Fast'nFresh customer, Woolworths will benefit from a net saving of R3.6million per year, based on current volumes, that 596 tons of CO2 will be eliminated per annum and that fuel consumption will decrease up to 9%. Combined, fuel and emission savings will translate into the equivalent of 10 cars less on the road, per truck.
Throughout the IMPERIAL Logistics Group, member companies strive to optimally deploy resources, from vehicles to drivers and continuously base-line reductions when new enabling technologies such as the ecoFridge become available.
Leonard Hyman, IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services Operations Manager says, "We are continuously looking at ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. EcoFridge offered both a cost savings and environmentally friendly route to further reduce our carbon footprint."
The vehicles will be used for the distribution of perishable products to Woolworths stores in the greater Cape Town area, as well as between Cape Town and Johannesburg. "We plan to extend this to include the greater Durban area and other centres in Gauteng in the near future," he adds.
The ecoFridge system works by releasing vaporised nitrogen into the load area from an under-slung tank with a capacity of up to 1 000 litres. Nitrogen used by the system has zero carbon emissions, unlike diesel units that produce 2,63kg of carbon for every litre of fuel used.
"We looked to Serco to do the preparations and fitment of the fridges, having developed a long standing business relationship with them. We worked together to produce the design of a body which conforms to our specific requirements and applications needs," says Hyman.
The vehicles can be operated as mono-temperature or multi-temperature units depending on a customer's requirements. The smaller units are equipped to carry products at two different temperatures, while the larger vehicles have the facility for three different temperatures to be applied in the same load.
The vehicles are the company's first to use nitrogen as the cooling agent. "Our intention now is to fully evaluate the operation of the new vehicles over the months and if they are successful in meeting our needs, we will order more," concludes Hyman.
Notably this development comes hot on the heels of another announcement whereby IMPERIAL Logistics is the first company in South Africa to introduce vehicles equipped to Euro 5 emission standards, providing our customers with a fleet that runs on low sulphur diesel, with additives that further reduce toxic emissions.
About IMPERIAL LogisticsIMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics' service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer's business, building its customer's brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit
www.imperiallogistics.co.za.
About IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated ServicesIn July 2010, IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services was formed through the consolidation of IMPERIAL Logistics member companies, Fast'nFresh, Liebentrans, Kobus Minnaar Transport and the broking division of Wilco Transport. The new company, which has a national (SA) footprint provides FMCG brands requiring temperature control logistics with an integrated, end-to-end solution that includes primary and secondary refrigerated transportation, supply chain analysis, tactical planning and supply chain integration.
