Bibby Distribution has crushed the carbon cost of juice transport by using lighter tanker units, meaning an extra tonne of liquid can be carried per load.

Bibby Distribution tanker fleet comprises more than 250 vehicles that carry a variety of food ingredients and juice.

During 2016, the 3PL invested in juice tankers with a lightweight and robust chassis, which allowed the average load per tanker to be increased by 4.2 per cent compared with the previous year.

With journeys spanning from mainland Europe to facilities across the UK, the total saving made over 12 months was the equivalent of taking 100 tanker loads off the road, thereby significantly reducing CO2 emissions associated with the transportation of orange juice, pineapple juice and strawberry purée.

Coupled with smart route planning by a dedicated team at Bibby Distribution’s depot in Worcester, these efficiencies have been welcomed by the major juice manufacturers numbered among Bibby Distribution’s customers.

Vaughan Pendergest, Bibby Distribution’s Business Unit Director, Food and Ingredients, says: “Over the past two years we’ve invested more than £2 million in our tanker fleet so we can reduce costs and emissions for our customers.

“By optimising the loads we carry, and ensuring we have the best route plans, our customers can import juice in a cost-effective manner with a much lower impact on the environment than before.”

Bibby Distribution also has a dedicated tank-washing facility with cleaning cycles specifically designed for juice transporters to ensure the highest level of hygiene and product quality.

The company’s tanker division – recognised as the Tanker Operator of the Year 2016 by Tank-Ex – comprises more than 250 vehicles that carry a variety of food ingredients such as glucose, milk and starches, in addition to juice.

Bibby Distribution

About the Author: John Loughran