Southampton’s residents, businesses and the environment are benefiting from a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable future thanks to an innovative logistics solution delivered by Meachers Global Logistics.
The Sustainable Distribution Centre (SDC) consolidates deliveries of goods for businesses and organisations across Southampton, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, congestion and noise pollution and improved safety on the roads.
The bespoke distribution service, developed by Meachers in partnership with Southampton City Council, has led to fewer deliveries by heavy goods vehicles into single business premises, significantly reducing vehicle CO2 emissions by an estimated 167,290g a year.
The centre operates from a 20,000 square foot site based on the Nursling Industrial Estate, on the M271 Western Approach, which ensures that all deliveries into the SDC arrive via the main arterial routes of the M3 and M27, reducing the need for HGV and freight into the city centre.
The consolidation of deliveries involves receiving, storing or grouping goods with other loads destined for the same location at the SDC, then delivering consignments together to reduce the number of delivery vehicles travelling into those areas.
Specified timed deliveries are used, in line with customer requirements, to ensure reduced vehicle deliveries per day and avoiding peak times. The collection of returns and transfers and waste management have all been improved as a result.
Meachers’ credentials in successfully delivering consolidation services for both the public and private sectors are further proved by its provision of similar services for Carnival UK and the Solent Alliance.
Gary Whittle, Commercial Director, Meachers Global Logistics, said: “Meachers Global Logistics has a proud Southampton heritage and we are committed to contributing towards an improved future for our city and region.
“As a port city and logistics hub, Southampton had increasing levels of congestion and heavy goods vehicles in the city. The reduction of vehicle movements through consolidation of goods at the SDC has helped to reduce air pollution and congestion on local roads at peak times. Users of the SDC are actively contributing to a lower carbon economy for Southampton.
“Meachers used its industry experience, innovations in logistics technology, unique supply chain partnerships and local understanding of the area to directly address the environmental concerns for the benefit of businesses and residents. This ensured that the impact on the local area was minimised while continuing to support the city’s economic growth and prosperity.
“In addition, Meachers operates one of the largest ship stores consolidation operations in Europe, further reducing the environmental impact.”
Southampton City Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “The Sustainable Distribution Centre is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors are working collaboratively to deliver sustainable growth for the overall benefit of our city.
“We are fortunate to benefit from the experience, knowledge and infrastructure of Meachers Global Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics providers based here in Southampton, in delivering the Sustainable Distribution Centre.”
Councillor Steven Galton, Cabinet Member for Environment added: “The project’s benefits are numerous: economically saving time and costs; but more importantly environmentally reducing emissions, congestion and improving road safety in our city. Projects like this support our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.”
To find out more please call Meachers Global Logistics on 023 8073 9999 or visit www.meachersglobal.com
