With industry leaders incorporating more sustainable solutions into their operations, sustainability has recently taken a new direction.
Writer Relocations has been a prominent player in the international relocation market for more than 65 years, offering end-to-end services in the area of people and asset mobility. Moreover, one of the chosen premium mobility players, Writer Relocations, arranges more than 8,000 relocations annually. Likewise, Writer Relocations has the vision to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. In this article, Logistics News ME speaks with Simon Mason, Chief Operating and Chief Revenue Officer of Writer Relocations, where they discuss the fundamentals of sustainability in the region’s logistics industry…
- How important do you think sustainability is essential in the logistics industry?
At a time transportation is accountable for one-fifth of all CO2 emissions worldwide, businesses have come to realise the importance of recyclable and eco-friendly practices to transition towards a clean and green future, and the logistics industry, most notably, mobility, is no exception!
We at Writer Relocations believe that green concepts and climate risk awareness are presently driving forces in business and our personal and community lives. While the environmental impact of COVID-19 has yet to pan out entirely, there has been a noticeable increase in recent years in the propensity to enact green policies.
Sustainable logistics often refers to strategies and procedures that strive to improve the sustainability of supply-chain operations spanning from raw material supply through product storage, manufacturing, and distribution.
Regarding CO2 emissions and greenhouse gas output, the transportation industry is only second to the energy sector. In addition, the industry’s share of CO2 emissions has grown 1.9% yearly since 2000, mostly due to the acceleration of globalisation and the rise in consumer demand.
Renewable energy and efficient systems are increasingly becoming commonplace in global logistics. Companies that reduce their pollution have a better chance of winning contracts, therefore, changing their operations to take these variables into account can help them win bids in logistics tenders. Moreover, it enhances compliance with government regulations and raises brand exposure through consumer involvement.
- Are companies take an extra initiative to incorporate sustainability in logistics?
In product packaging, an area of concern for the world’s long-term health is the use of packaging in shipping products. The extra boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper, and additional packaging materials can harm the environment. If the end consumer does not recycle the excess material, it clogs landfills and contributes to a growing problem.
It is worth mentioning that international businesses are creating packaging that is ‘functional, safe, and ecologically friendly.’ The Institute of Packaging Sciences lab will test various product lines for the new packaging that will examine recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable technologies.
In the global supply chain, warehouse sustainability is a big challenge for energy efficiency. However, there are several initiatives warehouses may take to become more sustainable, particularly in terms of energy use. Proper warehouse lighting is a critical component that may dramatically reduce energy use, with many businesses saving 50 to 60 per cent on yearly lighting expenditures. Less energy use is a gain for the environment.
The usage of alternative energy sources is another aspect of energy efficiency. Solar and wind power are increasingly being used by businesses to lessen their dependency on traditional energy sources and create their electricity. Many warehouses may repay the cost of solar panel installation within the first six months. Wind energy and skylights may bring in natural light and minimise the amount of electric lighting required in warehouses that are not appropriate for solar panels.
As a part of our Sustainability drive, we at Writer Relocations are following the above initiatives.
- Are Middle Eastern companies taking an extra initiative towards sustainability in the supply chain?
They are considering the strategic location they’re functioning in along major shipping routes and the availability of resources like world-class air and seaports, efficient and adequate logistics infrastructure, limited government bureaucracy and reasonable charges and cost-effectiveness.
Logistics companies have started embracing technology transformations and customer-centricity via building agile and resilient supply chains. Companies have begun to use data to improve inefficient supply chain processes, like optimising routes with necessary trips for loading and unloading trucks.
With technological adoption, there is growth in new roles traditionally not found in the logistics sector, and they are beginning to emerge with technology adoption. These roles include data-analysis and data-management roles, software development job roles, and digitalisation and automation.
- Where do you see the industry moving forward with embedding sustainability?
Most would know that the logistics industry is deemed to be a conservative industry. Transportation and logistics companies’ biggest challenge is the lack of digital culture and training.
However, I’ve seen that most of the transportation and logistics firms expect to spend their earnings over the coming few years like other sectors of the economy.
Adopting technological innovation in AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will make it easier to facilitate autonomy. Companies working in the logistics industry will be able to prosper in this new economy by taking advantage of their capacity to adopt new technology.
The future of logistics technology and warehousing solutions will significantly rely on rapidly developing technologies like drones or other cutting-edge robotics!
- Your take on sustainable initiatives?
Sustainable initiatives in the mobility industry are still nascent, and it will take a few years for the industry to align itself entirely to the requirements. While technology is taking its course, the industry needs to do more to create a more significant impact.
We admire the regional governments’ visions, and there is a massive potential for stakeholders across the industry to collaborate and work closely on innovative solutions to bring about the desired change.
To sum up, minor development will only make a better and more sustainable future for future generations!