We see logistics as an important part of our sustainability strategy. Together with our transport partners, we are taking structural steps to reduce CO₂ emissions in the chain and organise transport flows more intelligently.
By designing packaging and loading more intelligently, we make optimal use of the space in our lorries. For example, improved pallet quantities enable us to deliver double stacked, placing two pallets on top of each other. This leads to 20% more efficient journeys and therefore 20% less CO₂ emissions.
Since 2017, we have been delivering decentrally. This allows us to avoid transport movements from a central warehouse to shops and stores. We are also constantly looking for the shortest and most efficient routes. For example, we deliver to customers in Denmark from our own logistics centre in Poland.
In addition, we take a critical look at the origin of semi-finished products and raw materials. For example, we consciously choose to have certain products manufactured in the Netherlands, even though this entails higher costs. In this way, we shorten the supply chain, limit the number of transport movements and reduce CO₂ emissions.
In addition to the routes, we also look at the contents of each lorry. We strive for optimal packaging units per pallet, tailored to our partners' warehouse layout and their cross-docking volumes. By packaging more efficiently and reducing the number of packaging operations required, we are lowering both transport costs and CO₂ emissions. Examples include improved pallet quantities from production, which enable double stacking in the lorries.
Together with our partners, we invest in greener transport. Almost all lorries have Euro 5 or Euro 6 engines, which comply with strict European emission standards and therefore emit significantly fewer harmful substances. Drivers are trained in “new driving” techniques to further reduce fuel consumption. Within the Benelux, we also use a fully electric lorry, which is charged with green electricity from solar panels. Our ambition is to expand the number of electric trucks in the coming years.
One of our transport partners, Oegema Transport, is aiming for a 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands by 2026. We fully support this initiative and see it as an important step towards more sustainable logistics. In addition, we will continue to optimise our supply chain by limiting transport movements and increasing the load factor of our lorries. In this way, we are jointly contributing to a more efficient and sustainable chain.
