Companies making genuine efforts to minimise the environmental impact of their supply chain processes and actively seeking ways to improve environmental performance were recognised and rewarded at the inaugural Green Supply Chain Awards held at CGCSA in Randburg on 27 August 2009.

The City of Cape Town’s, Utility Services - Fleet Management Department took top honours for the Best Project category, whilst PM Systems scooped the Award for the Best Product. Etienne van der Lith, Environmental Project Manager for Bombela Civils Joint venture was honoured as the best Green Leader.

Over recent years there has been a strong move towards companies “being green” and focusing on “environmental sustainability”. In an effort to acknowledge and applaud companies that show excellence in “going green”, the green supply chain awards were launched earlier this year by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA), the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and Supply Chain Today magazine.

“The awards celebrate excellent initiatives aimed at greening the supply chain,” says Susan Custers, publisher of Supply Chain Today magazine. “From the smallest innovations to huge multi-billion Rand projects – there are many things we can do to minimise the environmental impact of supply chains. Being “green” does not necessarily cost a company more. In fact, green supply chains can reduce costs – this year’s entrants have proven this”.

Nick Tselentis, Legal and Regulatory Manager at the CGCSA adds, “Now more than ever, consumers, governments and business partners are beginning to be concerned about how and where their products are made and transported to them. They want businesses to prove their commitment to environment sustainability. It is not merely a matter of saying that you are green, but being able to prove your green credentials.”

Entrants needed to demonstrate unparalleled performance in environmental supply chain planning and execution. This includes compliance with environmental regulations, minimising waste from the supply chain process and the overall adoption of “green” practices across the supply chain.

Best Green Supply Chain Leader

Etienne van der Lith is the environmental project manager for Bombela Civils Joint Venture and is responsible for ensuring the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project meets its environmental obligations. The project has been underpinned by a strong environmental component. Environmental benefits of the project include reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, increasing energy saving. During the project’s implementation phase many environmentally-friendly initiatives have been implemented, such as water, steel and oil recycling.

Best Green Supply Chain Project

The City of Cape Town’s Utility Services Fleet Management Department received the gold award and trophy. Through implementing a comprehensive maintenance strategy underpinned by “green” solutions, the organisation achieved a significant reduction in fuel usage, despite an increase in fleet size. Their fleet comprises 740 vehicles ranging from off-road utility vehicles, sedans, LDVs and panel vans, as well as light, medium and heavy trucks.

Various technologies used in the execution of the strategy included:

* The Netstar Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring system, which was installed in all vehicles, enabling the fleet to be effectively managed and controlled. Particular attention was given to poor driver habits such as harsh acceleration and unnecessary trips.
* Vendor mapping was implemented to minimise vehicle down-time and excessive mileages travelled. This reduced fuel consumption.
* Gas analysers were introduced to ensure the vehicles complied with emission limits. Of the 358 vehicles tested, 95% passed. The vehicles that failed the test were repaired and re-tested.

The fleet’s technical specifications for vehicle replacements were updated to the Euro 2 standards and incorporated fuel-efficient diesel common rail technology as an essential requirement.

The functionality of the fleet was also critically evaluated by the technical hub of fleet management in conjunction with operational departments. Right-sizing principles were applied. A good example of this was the replacement of heavy knuckle boom aerial platforms mounted on 7t trucks, with lighter telescopic-type aerial platforms mounted on lighter fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly 4t trucks.

The certificate for the silver award, in this category went to courier company, TNT, which has reduced its carbon footprint by as much as 25 % through large-scale driver training.

Best Green Supply Chain Product

PM Systems received the Gold Award for designing an energy-efficient bulb which resulted in an 84% reduction in total energy used. Through innovation and forward thinking, PM Systems recognised a need for a better way to provide the correct amount of light in freezer stores, while at the same time significantly reducing the total energy required. The company designed a light fitting which gives over 100 lux at floor level in a 12 metre-high freezer store. Initial tests with prototype fittings were carried out in a Cape Town freezer store over a period of months and the design was refined. The lights have been commercially available since January this year. Traditional lights use 519 300 Kwhrs per annum. The new lights designed by PM systems uses 81 304 Kwhrs per annum.

The silver award went to CX Pallets for their disposable environmentally-friendly alternative to wooden pallets. Their corrugated pallets are light in weight, fully recyclable and do not require any heat treatment or fumigation. Pallets can be recycled at the receiving end, relieving the cost of disposal, especially in European countries where strict disposal regulations of wood are enforced. Their pallets are environment-friendly product and comply with ISO regulations.

Apex Curtain Strips were the bronze winners. The company has made hundreds of installations which have contributed to energy efficient temperatures in factories and warehouses throughout the country.

The judges were impressed by the entries in this year’s competition - not only in terms of innovation but also by variety of applications received.