 |
|
 |
| |
ASDA has launched the most comprehensive driver-training programme in the history of ASDA logistics |
|
 |
|
 | |
|
|
Background
ASDA has had huge success in reducing road miles and in removing inefficiency and waste from their transport operation, leading the way in the freight industry in terms of driving more sustainable transport activities.
How the issue was tackled
ASDA has used the ECR Europe Sustainable Transport Roadmap to get to the next level of sustainable transport initiatives.
The ECR Europe Sustainable Transport Roadmap is a practical tool which enables organisations to benchmark themselves against industry best practice and create, develop and deliver action plans to improve the sustainability of their transport operations
The organisations within the ECR Europe Sustainable Transport Project Group are reporting up to 15% reductions in transport expenses by following some of the best practice themes within the road map.
Having already actioned the obvious improvements such as improving vehicle fill by raising pallet heights, increasing levels of backhaul and transport collaboration, and now considering these to be business as usual, the challenge was what next?
Benefits and impacts
ASDA identified that whilst they were passionate about fuel economy there were weaknesses in their driver training processes. There was not the depth and quality to the training to ensure that they got better drivers as a result.
 |
 |
 |
| |
| |
|
The saving |
|
Miles |
n/a |
|
Gallons |
0.87 million pa |
|
Carbon |
10,297 tonnes pa |
Source: ASDA |
| |
 | |
| |
|
This realisation led to ASDA launching the most comprehensive driver-training programme in the history of ASDA logistics and they are now around 40% of the way through putting all 3,000 of their drivers through the programme.
Beginning with driver trainers, all of whom have been reassessed, retrained and given all of the tools needed to train ‘through the line’, the programme has now moved on to the rest of the driver population. While the programme covers subjects like fuel economy, safety and new technology, it also sets out to enrich the drivers skill set both in terms of the way they do things on a day-to-day basis and when new things like new in-cab technology and truck types come along.
Key to the success of the programme is that it is not a one off, all drivers will go through refresher training and specific technical needs training whenever that arises, the benefits of which are already being seen.
Advice to others
One of the biggest barriers to sustainability can be the way it is perceived and positioned within organisations. If it is perceived as a green initiative, as a CSR initiative, as a nice to have or something to do when times are good or likewise something which can be dispensed with when times aren’t good, it is unlikely to get the focus and momentum needed.
Sustainability needs to be at the heart of an organisation and of the supply chain strategy, to be viewed as business as usual rather than a project or initiative.
|
