Kwik-Fit Fleet Wins Fleet Award for ‘Green’ Focus

Amongst those recognised at the 2009 Van Fleet World Honours, announced in London on May 20, was Kwik-Fit Fleet, who walked away with the Environment Award. This accolade, which the company states is the first fleet recognition of its environmental strategy, follows activities in this area that include the opening of its Northamptonshire based National Distribution Centre in summer 2008.

The £10 million, 245,000 square foot complex stocks up to 300,000 tyres across up to 650 different sizes with the guarantee of next day delivery to Kwik-Fit’s 670 centres and more than 200 mobile fitting units. According to Kwik-Fit Fleet, the benefits delivered by the new centre are varied and include a number of environmental pluses. One example is the ‘reverse logistics’ process that has been introduced: Kwik-Fit’s 69-vehicle truck fleet – after delivering tyres to its centres or its five distribution hubs across the UK –returns with removed tyre casings and scrap catalytic converters. The industry first ‘one-for-one exchange’ results in trucks travelling fully loaded thus saving up to three million miles a year and an estimated 3,000 tonnes of carbon in reduced emissions. Once the tyres and catalytic converters are returned to the National Distribution Centre, tyres are sorted and shredded on site for use in cement kilns and as aggregate replacement and for use in artificial sports pitches, equine surfaces and children’s playgrounds. Catalytic converters are collected by contractors.

“Last year’s record fuel prices focused fleet attention on fuel consumption, but the overall environmental impact of commercial vehicle operations is made up of far more than just tailpipe emissions and Kwik-Fit Fleet has fully embraced this fact,” noted Van Fleet World editor John Kendall. “Its new National Distribution Centre has had a dramatic impact on the company’s carbon footprint. The provides the hub for a highly efficient distribution system which reduces the number of miles travelled by its truck fleet, without reducing the efficiency of its tyre fitting operations.”

“Kwik-Fit Fleet has taken responsibility on behalf of the fleet industry to not only deliver new parts in an environmentally efficient manner, but to dispose of waste in a ‘green’ way. Therefore, it is fantastic that our corporate social responsibility is being recognised,” said Mike Wise, head of Kwik-Fit Fleet. “Being environmentally-friendly is a challenge because of the products we sell. However, the opening of the National Distribution Centre puts us in the vanguard of being ‘green’ as the introduction of ‘reverse logistics’ means that our delivery trucks never run empty.

“The strategies that we are pursuing with parts recycling and the launch of our National Distribution Centre deliver multiple benefits and efficiencies that assist Kwik-Fit Fleet, our customers and Britain,” Wise added.

The annual Van Fleet World Honours are awarded to van manufacturers and service companies who have, in the opinion of the judging panel composed of industry experts, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector. The judging panel is chaired by industry professional George Emmerson, who has managed fleets at IBM, NHBC and Black Horse Agencies. Members of the judging panel include Ken Rogers, John Kendall, and Ross Durkin from Van Fleet World and Fleet World’s editorial team, and fleet manager Jackie Pomfrett.