November 29, 2007
How SC Johnson Saved $1.6 Million With Efficient Trucking
SC Johnson recently completed a transportation-logistics project that eliminated 1,882 tons of greenhouse gases over a 12 month period, used 2,098 fewer trucks, cut fuel usage by 168,000 gallons and saved approximately $1.6 million.
The Truckload Utilization Project combined multiple customer orders – and multiple products – to load the fullest, best configured trucks possible. “Focusing on consistently hitting a trailer’s maximum weight provided a huge opportunity to reduce our energy consumption, cut our greenhouse gas emissions and save money,” said Pat Penman, SC Johnson’s director, Global Environmental & Safety Actions.
The different weights and sizes of various products have a profound effect on how a truck should be packed for maximum efficiency. For example, a truckload full of Ziploc brand products is far below a truck’s most efficient load weight and a smaller number of pallets of Windex glass cleaner will hit the maximum weight target while leaving empty space in the trailer.
To avoid this, SC Johnson began strategically packing multiple products on the same load. In making this a standard process involving multiple departments, the company says it can ensure the most efficient weight capacity is reached, thereby shipping the same amount of product using fewer trucks.
The company also maximized the use of day cabs, lighter than sleepers, which increased the amount of product loaded into the truck’s trailer before the vehicle’s maximum weight was reached. The company now requires that day cabs are used for all regional shipments – those that can be completed in one work day.
Another opportunity to increase efficiency involved revising a customer incentive plan. SC Johnson offered an incentive program that encouraged customers to order a minimum of two layers of every product with their shipments. The company has modified the program so only one layer of product is required, which lets the company combine products.
SC Johnson isn’t the only company researching ways to cut emissions and save money. According to research released in July, Wal-Mart’s fleet of about 7,200 semitractor-trailer trucks is already about 15 percent more fuel efficient than it was when the company announced its environmental goals in late 2005 (25 percent improvement in three years and a 100 percent increase by 2015).
PHH FirstFleet recently announced the results of a fuel study of U.S. truck fleets in the grocery, manufacturing, fuel and retail markets.
Advertisers
Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.
Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>
Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?
Learn how it could affect your business. >>
EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st
CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>
Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance
How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>
Recent Daily News [ see all ]
- 11/25/2009
- 11/24/2009
- 11/23/2009
- U.S. Solar Demand Prompts Domestic Production
- Sobeys Aims to Reduce GHG Emissions 15% by 2013
- Government Intervention Required to Drive “Green” Technology
- NREL: State Incentives Crucial to Renewable Energy Growth
- Australia Considers E-Waste Law
- Artic Expedition Investigates Climate Change, Alternative Fuel
- Construction Effluent Rule May Cost $1B Annually
- Germany, UK Ramp Up Solar Efforts
- 62% of Firms Assign Environmental Team for Green Goals
- McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
- Around the Web – Climate Risk, GHG Reporting, Al Gore, U.S. Chamber
- NY Acura Dealer Adds Solar
- Obama May Set Provisional GHG Reduction Targets at Copenhagen
- Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
- Wind Power Investments Grow in North America
- Sanyo Selling Solar Eco-homes
- WWF, WRI Make Last-Minute Pitches on Climate Change
- CH2M Hill Cuts Paper Use by 21% from 2006 to 2008
- Kraft Rolls Up 50M Miles Saved Through Transportation Efficiency
- Construction Firm Adding Wind, Solar to Demonstrate Possibilities to Customers
- Retrofitted Exit Signs Can Save Up to 90% in Energy Costs
- Electronics Boom, E-Cycling Lags
- Around the Web – Genan, CO Ski Resorts, Sainsbury, MillerCoors
- Replenish Energy Wins Cleantech Open Expo’s Global Ideas Award
Charts [ see all ]
Popular Topics
Energy Efficiency
Data Center
Emissions
Facilities
Electricity
Sustainability
Water
Supply Chain
Efficiency
Green Marketing
Strategy & Leadership
Research
Fleets & Transportation
Carbon Finance
Conventional Energy
Clean Energy
Waste & Recycling
Paper & Packaging
Policy & Law
Utilities
Construction
Comments and Discussions
Jetset1 on Energy-Savings Claims Don’t Add Up for Microsoft’s Windows 7
"This article is wrong. If your PC is less than a few years old,..."
Iain on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"Now if only their food was healthy and nutritious."
Phil on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"After reading all the comments it seems obvious, to me, that the individuals populating..."
Marc Hudson on McD’s in Germany Trades Red for Green In Logo
"where will the stone be mined from- under what labor rights conditions? Will the..."
Clyde on Climate Scientists Alleged to Have Manipulated Data
"This just shows all the Global Warming freaks out there are a bunch of criminals cut from..."
Car Rental Singapore on News Corp. Taps Hara for Energy Efficiency, Environmental Management
"Energy reduction is a good thing. We need to save the..."
Meme Mine on WWF, WRI Make Last-Minute Pitches on Climate Change
"To the voting public, what the scientists say is irrelevant anymore for if you read..."





Join the Discussion