I recently received an announcement that began by saying,“Koch Logistics, an innovative third party logistics provider (3PL), announcedit has been named a SmartWay Transport partner.” I know that Koch isn’t theonly 3PL that has earned the SmartWay title, but I never really understood whata logistics provider had to offer the SmartWay Partnership. Like any other 3PL,Koch wouldn’t be operating any of its own vehicles, so it wouldn’t be burningany fuel or generating any gaseous emissions.
So I called the company and had a very interestingconversation with Jeff Faust, the company’s vice president and general manager.It turns out that 3PLs can play a very important role toward cleaning theenvironment as well as lowering fuel consumption by trucks. Logistics companiesgenerally join the SmartWay program as an indication of their commitment topromote energy efficiency and improved air quality. As logistics providers,they are in the business of assisting their customers in making choices fortheir transportation needs. Faust said, “We take a great deal of pride in beingon the cutting edge as a 3PL provider in the market place, and there is aresponsibility that goes along with that. We arrange transportation anddistribution services for our customers –– shippers and consignees. In doing sowe are really managing their transportation budget.”
Obviously, 3PLs arein an excellent position to encourage their shipper clients to move freightwith a carrier that participates in the SmartWay program whenever possible. Isee this as a win/win situation. It’s obviously good for the SmartWay carrierthat gets the business and good for the shipper because he can participate inthe savings expected from a more fuel efficient operation. Faust said, “We havea great deal to do with carrier recruitment and use a portfolio of carriers toservice our customers. Many of our customers are asking us to beenvironmentally conscious and want to know what we are doing to contribute tothe ‘green’ movement.”
Logistics companies join the SmartWay Partnership for threeyears and are asked to promote the partnership to both carriers and shipperswith whom they do business. By helping promote SmartWay-recommended fuel-savingstrategies, logistics companies help carriers and shipper clients make goodchoices for their businesses and for the environment. Faust said, “We decidedto be proactively involved. In our carrier recruitment, which goes on invirtually every segment of the trucking industry, we are asking fleets fortheir status as an environmentally friendly business. We encourage them tobecome SmartWay Partners as a routine part of our recruitment package duringwhich we check on financial stability, safety rating, proper insurance,reliability of service, etc.”
By encouraging fleets in a 3PL’s portfolio of carriers toparticipate in the SmartWay Transport Partnership, it can help those fleets getthe information and tools they can use to reduce fuel consumption and savemoney while making a positive impact on the environment. It can also provide aservice to its shipper clients by enabling them to participate in theindustry’s move to become more environmentally friendly. Faust said, “Theimportance of a fleet being a SmartWay Partner is growing. Much of that isbeing dictated by our customers who want to participate in the move to be moreenvironmentally conscious.”
Clearly, 3PLs are in a good position to make a majorcontribution to SmartWay’s goal of saving 150,000 barrels of oil while cleaningthe atmosphere. If you know of a company that might be interested inparticipating in the SmartWay Partnership as a logistics supplier, tell them tocall 734-214-4767 or email the program at [email protected].
