Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc., announced today, April 3, that it is demonstrating its commitment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership by increasing its use of SmartWay-approved carriers. The company also recently relocated its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters office.
Since pledging its commitment to SmartWay six months ago, Menlo says it has significantly stepped up spending with carriers that also are supporting and promoting greater energy efficiency by using practices and equipment recommended through the EPA program.
“Menlo spends nearly $1 billion on transportation with contract carriers each year,” says Gary Kowalski, chief operating officer of San Mateo, Calif.-based Menlo Worldwide Logistics. “Now, with more than 80 percent of that transportation spend going to SmartWay-approved carriers, we are supporting environmental stewardship throughout the transportation industry.”
Menlo says encouraging the highest level of efficiency in the freight transportation industry is critical to meeting Con-way Inc.’s enterprise-wide commitment to sustainable business practices. Menlo says its earlier implementation of Lean philosophies, which focus on eliminating waste wherever it exists, complements its support of SmartWay program principles; by the time the company committed to SmartWay, Lean initiatives already had led the company to begin implementing technologies such as energy-efficient and motion-triggered lighting as facilities are upgraded.
Menlo says its SmartWay campaign comprises a series of steps aimed at educating and promoting green initiatives among its contract carriers, including:
“I commend Menlo for integrating clean innovative strategies and technologies into its operations,” says Margo T. Oge, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation & Air Quality. “These technologies go a long way toward a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply.”
While Menlo already has rolled out many elements of Con-way’s enterprise-wide sustainability campaign, it expects to have implemented all of its proposed strategies by the end of 2008. Menlo says its efforts in sustainability also aligns with key customer strategies to promote green business practices. Toward that end, Menlo says its commitment to SmartWay will continue to drive year-over-year improvements toward full carrier compliance with the program’s principles.
