Optimising Transport Modes

About this Guide to Optimising Transport Modes

Organisations in the grocery supply chain are continually looking for opportunities to reduce costs, improve service and reduce their impact on the environment. While there will always be a need to transport products from producers to shoppers, there remains scope to do it more efficiently and sustainably. The choice of transport mode is one of the areas businesses are reviewing.

This online resource has been created by the ECR UK Optimising Transport Modes Subgroup to provide practical support to companies in understanding the part that alternate transport modes can play in their supply chains and to provide guidance in optimising freight by road.

Working with representatives from leading retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers, the Subgroup developed this resource to support organisations in:

• Understanding the transport opportunities that exist in road freight beyond conventional trailers
• Separating fact from fiction in terms of alternate transport modes across the industry
• Considering the use of alternate road and transport modes as part of their supply chain operations
• Reducing road miles and enabling truly sustainable supply chains

How this resource will help

This online resource is designed to offer users support in;

• Understanding the transport modes appropriate to the food and grocery industry
• Identifying which transport modes are most appropriate for their needs
• Separating fact from fiction around the use of alternative modes
• Assessing the pros and cons of different road transport options
• Making the change process easier to identify

All of which are supported by case studies that demonstrate how alternate modes and road vehicle types are being utilised by other companies.

Acknowledgements

IGD and ECR UK would like to thank members of the ECR UK Optimising Transport Modes Subgroup for their support and contribution in developing this guide.

Co-Chairs:

Chris Hall Network Transport Manager, Asda	Rob Wright UK & Ireland Logistics Controller, United Biscuits

Members:

Doug Martin Logistics Commercial Manager, Brakes	Peter Evans National Distribution Manager, Coca-Cola Enterprises	Richard Cooper Head of Transport – Food Retail, DHL	Martin Gill Logistics Manager UK & Ireland, Heinz
Richard Hastings Head of Planning & Delivery, Nestlé	Andy Tricker National Planning Manager, P&H	Brian Waltham General Manager Northern Logistics, PepsiCo	Neill Porter UK & Ireland Transport Manager, P&G
George Nicoll Group Driver Training Manager, Robert Wiseman Dairies	Kevin Greenaway National Planning Manager, Sainsbury's	Phil Spittle General Manager – Fleet & Compliance, Stobart Group	Mark McNamara Personal Care Distribution Operations Manager, Unilever
Julie Thornhill Manager, Distribution Operational Strategy, Waitrose	Chris Fenton General Manager, Wincanton

The group would also like to extend their thanks to all organisations who provided assistance in the research for this guide, particularly John Holwell from Malcolm Group for his advice and support on the rail section.