Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles have forged a close relationship with high-profile logistics operator IMPERIAL Logistics and especially Fast ‘n Fresh, a member of IMPERIAL Logistics Group. Fast ‘n Fresh manages the logistics for Woolworths, one of South Africa’s leading retail chains.

The three companies have a shared vision of greater environmental sustainability in the retail sector. Mercedes-Benz and IMPERIAL Logistics have a shared commitment, which as a first step, involves a pilot project of five new Mercedes-Benz Euro 5 trucks which will reduce emissions and the carbon footprint on the way to a cleaner and greener future. The concept is one of building an increasingly sustainable ‘eco chain’, from the vehicle supplier to the logistics company, the retailer and finally to the consumer.

“The transportation sector plays a key role in today’s globalised world. In order to avoid more strain on the environment, emissions must be further reduced and commercial vehicles must become even more efficient. Commercial vehicles built by Mercedes-Benz are already showing that economy and ecology no longer need be mutually exclusive,” says Dr. Hansgeorg Niefer, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

Daimler is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer whose entire truck product range is already available with Euro 4 and Euro 5 technology, unless there are inhibiting factors that prevent implementation. Daimler’s standard SCR technology is focused on exhaust emission after-treatment. Daimler has a goal to see the reduction of the fuel consumption of their trucks in Europe by an average of 20% per ton-kilometer by 2020, based on 2009 figures.

“In South Africa, Mercedes-Benz trucks are currently available with Euro 3 as standard. “The availability of low sulphur diesel throughout southern Africa is the primary reason why Euro 4 or Euro 5 technology has not been implemented as yet,” says Kobus van Zyl, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

“We are encouraged by Woolworths’ unequivocal resolve to make environmental aspects the key benefits of retailing in South Africa. It shows that a company who trades in conventional and organic vegetables, fruits and the like, and sees products of nature as a gift to us, aims to orientate all fields of the group’s activity in an environmentally friendly way,” adds Van Zyl.

The Fast ‘n Fresh operations will manage the ongoing supply of the high quality fuel together with AdBlue – exhaust gas treatment fluid – and this will be implemented on a controlled basis (“Base Camp logic”), by a reputable fuel company with a strong presence.

BlueTec is proving to be an efficient fuel-savings programme, an increasingly important feature in times of rising fuel prices and discussions on climate change. BlueTec combines economic and environmental benefits in a unique way. For example, the exhaust gas of Mercedes-Benz trucks equipped with BlueTec technology contains around 80% fewer particle emissions and 60% less NOx. Commercial vehicles equipped with BlueTec also consume 2 to 5 percent less fuel on average, which adds up to savings of around 1 500 to 2 000 litres of diesel per year, assuming an annual driving distance of 150 000 km for long-haulage trucks.

IMPERIAL Logistics recently took delivery of 20 Actros Euro 3 units and integrated these into its existing large Fast ‘n Fresh fleet for the distribution of Woolworths’ product range.

The entire range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles are Euro 3 compliant, including the current Actros range. The Actros is the ideal vehicle for FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) and is no stranger to medium and long-haul distribution. The recent delivery of the Actros 1832LS/36, specially configured for IMPERIAL Logistics through Fast ’n Fresh, is ideally suited for the delivery of FMCGs. These new Actros units are covered under the newly extended service intervals.

IMPERIAL Logistics has its own comprehensive strategy towards greener logistics which is built on two major pillars:

• Optimal deployment of all current resources (vehicles, drivers, systems)
• Continuous base-line reductions when new enabling technologies, fuels and systems become available (e.g. cleaner fuels, new forms of propulsion, etc.).

In particular, four major initiatives are in the process of implementation:

• Route optimisation
• Reduced vehicle emissions
• Reduced fuel consumption
• Improved refrigeration

“Keeping costs as low as possible is decisive for the competitiveness of all transport operations, especially in economically difficult times such as these, and fuel efficiency is particularly important for operators,” adds Van Zyl.

All Mercedes-Benz Euro 3 trucks are also capable of operating on 5% biodiesel blend. Fast ’n Fresh has been doing this with its existing fleet for a number of years, with substantial savings and lowering the carbon footprint of the fleet.

Driver training

“As the carbon footprint is directly related to fuel consumption, Mercedes-Benz has committed itself to support its customers through driver training and other measures to minimise fuel consumption and thus reducing CO2 emissions. The Mercedes-Benz holistic approach combines with the customer’s strategic focus of fuel reduction targets, with a structured process of training driver trainers, training drivers and using technology such as FleetBoard to monitor the progress and driver efficiency improvements in the process, adds Van Zyl.

“Therefore, these five test vehicles offer the ideal opportunity for IMPERIAL Logistics through Fast ‘n Fresh and Mercedes-Benz to collaborate and bring about the significant reduction in fuel consumption and at the same time increase safety,” concludes Van Zyl.