April 23, 2008 - Guitar Center cut the number of truck shipments from its distribution center in half last year thanks to efficiencies in product packaging and transport.

The retailer of musical instruments and audio equipment banned the use of wooden pallets in 2006, optimizing space in trucks and saving 8,000,000 pounds of lumber and 70 million square feet of shrinkwrap annually. Instead, the company now floor-loads all musical instrument and audio products.

Floor-loading allows trucks to be packed more efficiently, resulting in more product being shipped per truckload and reducing truck deliveries overall. In 2007, Guitar Center sent 4,604 truckloads from its distribution center - less than 50% of the loads required in 2006.

The company estimates that its efficiencies in distribution will save more than 380,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year.