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February 29, 2008 
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Time to Think Outside the Truck
One more sign that we’ve reached a tipping point in the way businesses look at their logistics and distribution systems: British electronics chain PC World is sharing delivery-truck space with a sister company. Think that’s all well and good for businesses that operate under the same corporate umbrella, but don’t see the value for a company like yours?
Have you checked the price of diesel lately? We have been living with logistics models based on cheap oil, in this case cheap diesel. Sharing trucks has always made economic sense for a large number of businesses who chose to own them but didn’t fully utilize them. Now that diesel is about to hit $4 per gallon, its time for new business models. Certainly, not many businesses have local corporate partner in the same neighborhood to share trucks. That doesn’t negate the value or the business sense of the idea. My grandfather raised corn in Ohio. He owned a tractor because it made financial sense to do so. But he never owned a harvester or a combine; they were too expensive to own and operate. He was part of a cooperative that owned and shared the costs of that equipment because it made more economic sense. I smell a business opportunity. The business model would be similar to the Flexcar model for car sharing. Is someone out there interested in starting a truck-sharing company? ~Phil Berry, Lean Manufacturing Expert and SLM Advisor What do you think? Post Your Comment Here! This Week's Top News... Sodexo's Recycled Napkins Save Clients Money, Report Shows 
Foodservice operator Sodexo Canada has cut costs for clients since it switched to recycled-content paper napkins last year, according to calculations from the nonprofit Recycled Products Cooperative (RPC). The program has resulted in a 25% to 50% reduction in the actual number of paper napkins used, thanks to new dispensers that dispense a single napkin at a time. Read more...
Coke, UPS, SC Johnson Expand Green Fleets 
Coca-Cola, UPS, and SC Johnson are boosting their investment in cleaner, more fuel-efficient delivery and sales fleets. Read more...
Wal-Mart Creates "Green Suggestion Box" for Potential Vendors 
Got a great green product or process you think Wal-Mart might be interested in? Tell the company about it today: The retail giant has accelerated its process for soliciting requests for proposal by creating an online "suggestion box" for potential vendors. Read more...
Burt's Bees Chooses Labelmaker Based on Water Efficiency 
Burt's Bees selected a key supplier for printing flyers and product labels based on the company's efforts to reduce water use during production processes. North Carolina-based Cary Printing scored the contract after investing in water-saving equipment such as a new plate processor and developer. Read more...
D-Link Expands Line of Energy-Efficient Ethernet Switches 
Networking gear manufacturer D-Link has expanded its line of energy-efficient ethernet switches for small- and medium-sized businesses. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to power supply, the switches adjust power use depending on cable length (typically less than 20 meters for most smaller enterprises). Read more...
Tate & Lyle to Source Only Fairtrade Sugar Cane 
British sugar manufacturer Tate & Lyle has announced plans to source 100% of its retail sugar cane from Fairtrade-certified suppliers. The program is the culmination of a two-year partnership with the U.K.-based Fairtrade Foundation, a nonprofit that helps Central American cane farmers meet Fairtrade standards. Read more...
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So Many Standards, So Little Time 
Green-market change is a challenge for companies and investors alike, but each group is acting on its own timeline - and (given our rapidly changing climate) the clock is ticking. Easily verified, widely agreed-upon standards for sustainability are quickest path to lasting change. With all the different programs currently in the marketplace, how do you decide which standard to go with? Here’s how I came up with an answer – and how you can, too. By Mary Hunt Read more...
Calculating Your Company's Carbon Footprint: It's Just Not That Hard 
So says Mike Wallace of Trucost, an environmental research organization that focuses on quantifying the impact of business on the environment. In this SLM interview, Mike explains what's holding some companies back, why the U.S. businesses continue to lag behind their European counterparts, and why that might soon be changing - and faster than you think. Read more...
Top Headlines from Other SLM Channels Marks & Spencer to Charge for Shopping Bags BP May Ditch Renewable Energy Business Seven-Eleven Saves with Energy-Efficient Equipment, Lighting GM Launches Green Drive in China United Technologies Cuts Climate Emissions, Boosts Shareholder Returns Coke's New Marketing Campaign Aims to Redefine Corporate Sustainability Cargill, Ford, Boeing Named to Portfolio's 10 Worst Polluters List Virgin Atlantic 747 First Biofuel-Powered Commercial Plane Renault Aims to Recycle 95% of Cars Sold in France Merck Ups Commitment to GHG Emissions Reduction SB'08 Plans Taking Shape! 
A flurry of activity is taking place behind the scenes as plans take shape for SB'08, June 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey. Check in for a sneak peek, and save money by registering today!
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