CILTSA GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN AWARDS 2011

Eco-aware companies recognised at 2011 Green Supply Chain Awards
Top companies were once again recognised and rewarded for their efforts in greening their supply chains at the third annual Green Supply Chain Awards, which took place on 26 August 2011 at the offices of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) in Randburg. The awards are a joint initiative of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA), the CGCSA and Supply Chain Today magazine. The awards are traditionally divided into three categories: Industry Leader, Best Project and Best Product.

Industry Leader – Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director: IMPERIAL Logistics
Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics, won the prestigious Industry Leader Award for the company’s leading role in the ‘green logistics’ evolution. The Award was due to de Swardt’s far reaching work on bringing ‘green’ to the supply chain, both within IMPERIAL Logistics and by spreading the message broadly throughout the supply chain and business communities.

On receipt of the Industry Leader Award, de Swardt said, “We need to develop a sophisticated view of the impact that we have on the environment. We need to change our paradigm, our behaviour and the way in which we look at ‘green’. I have experienced that journey in IMPERIAL Logistics.”

Speaking of the need for greater collaboration, he noted, “Whether we compete in the market, this is a great opportunity to embrace collaboration and across boundaries, work together.”

IMPERIAL Logistics is on a sustainability focused growth path that balances people, planet and profit – a factor that contributes to the Group being a leading global logistics and supply chain player. “Within IMPERIAL Logistics, there are many inspiring, collaborative examples of greening operations and customer supply chains,” continued de Swardt. “Best practice formulation and application has been pioneered through introducing South Africa’s first Euro 5 specification vehicles, innovative water management system development specifically for the needs of transport companies, ‘extra distance’ analysis and network redesign for cutting carbon emissions and cost simultaneously, as well as an investment in zero emission vehicle refrigeration that operates in complete silence – no moving parts, no harmful emissions and absolutely no noise.”

Best Product Under R1 millipresson – Stab-a-Load
Stab-A-Load won the category Best Product Under R1-million for its solar powered docking equipment system. Stab-a-Load specialises in the planning, design and manufacturing of integrated dock loading solutions for cold storage, warehousing and distribution applications throughout Southern Africa.

The company is the first in South Africa to offer a solar powered system for materials handling equipment. The system operates single or multiple Stab-a-Load pneumatic dock levellers, Star 4 truck restraints, LED dock lights and motorised sectional doors, without being connected to a permanent electricity supply.

The system reduces electrical reticulation and running costs and can operate in black- out conditions (power cuts and low UV light penetration). Its deep cycle AGM batteries hold a 50% reserve, enabling the equipment to remain operational for up to five consecutive days in the event of total unavailable UV light.

Best Product Over R1 million – TrenStar
TrenStar’s specialised returnable packaging solution took the honours in the category Best Product over R1-million. This specialised, custom-designed returnable packaging material is a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of protecting a transported component while in transit. The returnable interlayer replaces typical end-of-journey disposable internal dunnage. After the component is unpacked, the interlayer collapses to occupy minimal space and fits into its returnable container, ready for return transport. Both products are 100% recyclable at the end of their respective life cycles.

Best Product Highly Commended – City Power
City Power’s recycling project reduced the waste stream to landfill sites by disposing of biodegradable waste that decomposes to Hydrogen Suplhide (H2S) and methane gas (CH4), saving landfill airspace. City Power distributed colour-coded bins and stainless steel bins, recycling posters, as well as internal recycling boxes. The project is a phase 1 implementation being rolled out to all 10 City Power depots. The revenue collected from this project will be used for environmental sustainability, such as the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs, as well as biodiversity.

Best Project Under R1 million – Hooghiemstra Logistical Servicess
Hooghiemstra Logistical Services’ “Green Fleet Management Project” resulted in cost savings and a reduced carbon print for its client. Through its fleet management tracking system, the client’s fuel consumption and fleet operating costs stayed within the desired parameters, while ensuring that the carbon footprint of the company was reduced.

Best Project R1 – R10 million – Distell
Distell Ltd’s “Give Back Get Back” project resulted in 35.2 million bottles being returned in 2010/2011 in the company’s northern and central regions, compared to 31.4 million in the previous year. The additional 3.8 million returns amounted to a cost of sales saving in excess of R5 million. Nationwide, total re-used glass amounted to 125.5 million units, which equates to 68 500 tons of glass and a reduction of CO2 and related emissions of 103 440 tons. Distell also managed to create job opportunities for 413 bottle merchants in the Northern and Central region. The aim of the project was to increase the return ratio (return versus sales) from 39% to 50%, thereby decreasing input costs and maximising profitability, and at the same time reducing CO2 emissions and raw materials needed to produce additional glass.

Best Project Over R10 million- Adcock Ingram
With a simple but aggressive approach to energy savings, Adcock Ingram was able to halve the expected power requirement at their new National Distribution Centre in Midrand.

Adcock Ingram’s consulting engineers advised that the new facility would require up to 1800KVA to operate. The existing supply was only 1000KVA and the local authorities would require up to seven years to upgrade the electrical supply.

Assisted by Industrial Logistic Systems, Adcock Ingram re-engineered the building, lighting, air‐conditioning, incoming power supply infrastructure, operational processes and management systems. As a result, Adcock Ingram was able to reduce overall demand to below 900KVA – half the expected power requirement.

Certificate of Merit – MTN
Cell phone provider MTN received a special certificate for their Business Transport and Logistics Application. The aim of the project was to increase the efficiency and productivity of logistics businesses whilst reducing costs and waste, though the availability of live, always-on, electronic field data.

For the first time, African businesses could get mobility solutions bundled with cellular data contracts, providing software, hardware, data, support and services.

Sponsors
Leading extra heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania was the lead sponsor of the 2011 Green Supply Chain Awards. Co-sponsors were Barloworld Logistics, Improvon as well as trophy sponsor, Trenstar.

Photos

Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics, took top honours as Green Industry Leader. Acting CEO of the CGCSA Mapule Ncanywa presented de Swardt with the Award.

Stab-a-Load won the Award for Best Product under R1 million. Leonard Wallace and Dean le Roux accepted the Award on behalf of the company.

“Dawn Dodds of TrenStar accepts the trophy for the Best Product over R1 million from Susan Custers of Supply Chain Today.”

City Power’s Thabiso Letoana is presented with the Highly Commended Award in the Best Product Award by Susan Custers of Supply Chain Today magazine.

CILTSA’s Executive Director Catherine Larkin presented Gjalt Hooghiemstra of Hooghiemstra Logistical Services with the Award for Best Project under R1 million.

Distell’s Frans Booysen accepted the Award for Best Project R1 to R10-million from Catherine Larkin, Executive Director of CILTSA.

The Best Project Award over R10 million went to Adcock Ingram. Martin Bailey of Industrial Logistic Systems (project consultants), with Kirk Nash of Adcock Ingram.

Chistopher Ljungner, Managing Director of Scania Southern Africa, addresses guests. Scania was the lead sponsor of the Green Supply Chain Awards 2011.

Improvon sponsors Green Supply Chain Awards 2011
The Improvon Group, a leading industrial and commercial property investor and developer, offers custom-built, “green” facilities for rent to companies needing large warehouses or distribution centres in popular industrial nodes countrywide. And it is because of the Group’s eco-friendly stance as well as its involvement within the logistics industry that led it to part-sponsor this year’s Green Supply Chain Awards held at CILTSA’s offices in Randburg in August.

Improvon’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact has resulted in its winning the SAPOA (South African Property Owners Association) Awards for Overall Green Building Development and Innovative Excellence for Industrial Development in 2010.

“Our clients are increasingly requesting more eco-friendly buildings in line with their corporate social responsibility, and this is why Improvon is continually striving to develop buildings that lessen the impact on our environment. Improvon is committed to promoting ecologically efficient building innovations to its clients and to the industry at large”, said Grant Lewington, Business Development Executive for the Group.

The Group’s success has come in the wake of affording both international and South African-based businesses a complete property solution. Improvon tailor-makes each premises to encompass not only its clients’ business needs but also those of our planet.

For more information visit: www.improvon.co.za

Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Trophy Sponsor