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Harlech Foodservice invests £1m in low-emission delivery fleet
Harlech introduced six new HGVs to its fleet, with a further six to be added at a cost of another £1m by the end of this year.
The investment coincides with the launch of a major expansion of the businesses into South and West Wales, with new depots in Merthyr and Carmarthen respectively.
Sales administrator Janette Jones said the company’s progress toward reducing its carbon emissions has helped it win new public sector contracts, as well as being environmentally important.
Recruitment drive
“In turn that is driving the growth of the company which employed about 180 staff pre-Covid but is now heading towards 250,” said Jones.
“As well as the new fleet of HGVs we have and the other delivery vans, we are looking at the feasibility of equipping the sales fleet with all-electric vehicles and using smart technology to plan journeys, deliveries and pick-ups, more efficiently.
“It’s about getting the right people in the right place at the right time because there is a big saving to be made not just in our fuel miles but in the fuel miles of our suppliers.”
The wholesaler has further supported its net zero mission through the investment into more environmentally-friendly coolant gas for its giant freezer rooms at its headquarters and for its refrigerated transport fleet as part of a major review of their energy needs.
Committing to net zero
Head of Operations Ian Evans added: “It’s becoming more and more important for our customers in the public sector, schools, colleges, councils and health boards that we commit to Net Zero.
“We’re expanding at our headquarters too with more space including refrigerated space but we are also being more efficient in the way we operate by making the aisles in our warehouses narrower so we can store more.
“We also still have a lot of land here that is surplus to our needs so we are looking at installing more solar panels in addition to our existing solar array on the roofs.”
Meanwhile, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has published its 2023 ESG report, the firm’s annual update on its progress made against sustainability targets.
