Magazines Archives - 2011 October

Big C Supercentre to invest nearly US$10m to create green supply chain
Story 10 - Logistics

THAILAND’S retail group Big C Supercentre has committed Bt300 million (US$9.34 million) for the next three years to create a green supply chain. Key initiatives will include energy reduction and cutting down on the number of shipments and carbon emissions from the vehicles.

The hypermart operator has teamed up with Michelin and Toll Logistics with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in Big C’s transport chain by 1.8 million kg within three years.

Said Big C Supercentre’s vicepresident of supply chain, Greg O’Shea: “A memorandum of understanding was signed recently with our partners, Michelin and Toll Logistics. Innovations, hitherto unseen in Thailand, will be introduced to increase the efficiency of Big C’s transportation network and give it environmentally friendly features and sustainability. Our target is to reduce carbon emissions by 1.8 million kg within 2014, to join the campaign to commemorate [King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s] 84th birthday.”

For a start, the new logistics system will enable bigger loading capacity for Big C’s trucks, which will reduce carbon emissions by up to 47%. An additional 4% reduction is expected with the use of energy-saving tyres by Michelin. Meanwhile, Toll Logistics will handle the maintenance of the fleet of energy-efficient trucks.

Big C will introduce a moveable mezzanine-floor system which will maximise the use of truck space while a curtain-sided trailer will enable higher speed and convenience in loading and delivery of pallets.

Michelin introduced its energy- saving tyres in 1992 and the company has since launched three series of these tyres for trucks as well as four energy-efficient models for passenger cars.

The worldwide usage of such tyres has led to a reduction of more than 14 billion litres of fuel and 35 million kg of carbon dioxide emissions so far, said the company. ra

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