Supplier forum 'Sustainable logistics solutions, made by Dräxlmaier'

Sustainability: For the Dräxlmaier Group, this means finding solutions that reconcile economic goals with ecological and social aspects. With its "Green Logistics" program, the supplier has been pursuing this goal for years. The Dräxlmaier Group, along with its transport service providers, is rising to the challenges of the future.

Best practice from the 'Green Logistics' program
Thomas Keil, leader of the “Green Logistics” program, and Jürgen Wallner, team leader of transport planning and innovations, informed the 40 participants about sustainable actions that Dräxlmaier has put into action in the area of supply chain management. “For example, we use energy-saving forklifts and reusable Repak L containers,” said Keil. Furthermore, the group has already run pilot tests for alternative drives such as natural gas and dual fuel, a combination of natural gas and diesel fuel motors, for their trucks.

Transport companies assume responsibility
The presentations from representatives of freight forwarders Vos, Meyer & Meyer, and Schenker showed that the transport companies are also prepared to assume responsibility for sustainability. They presented their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions: By modernizing their fleets and continuous driver training, for example, they are already able to reduce CO2 emissions.

A look at current practice
An onsite demonstration of the fuel-saving technology used in the new Mercedes-Benz Actros model delivered the message to the forum participants. Constantin Eichstaedt from the dealership Schreiner & Wöllenstein explained the intelligent speed-control software called “Predictive Powertrain Control,” which optimizes acceleration and gear sequence for current road conditions. For example, the truck reduces acceleration before a hill crest, since it foresees the momentum after the crest.

The reaction of the 40 participants to the forum organized by the Dräxlmaier Group was positive in every respect. “The event demonstrated to us that Dräxlmaier places a great deal of importance on the topic of sustainability," said Annette Winterstein, advisor at Schenker. "Meeting each other in person served as an important exchange of experiences, and certainly promoted cooperation in this area.”