A DRIVE to help transport managers "go green" is getting under way in Huddersfield.
The town’s university is spearheading efforts to help companies boost business efficiency when it comes to how they operate their fleets of cars and lorries.
Huddersfield University is hosting the International Sustainable Logistics Conference on May 27 when a host of high-profile speakers will lead the debate.
They include Lincoln haulage boss Dick Denby, who has developed an 83ft long "road train" which he argues will benefit the environment because it reduces the number of journeys made by smaller vehicles.
Other speakers will include Ian Stansfield, distribution director of ASDA, on sustainable logistics in retailing; Dave Rowlands, technical services director at Wincantion Group, who will discuss bio-fuels; and a representative from Suffolk brewery Adnams, on the firm’s innovative energy recovery system.
There will also be contributions from European academic experts in the field of logistics and a stimulating contribution by a group of students.
The conference is organised by the International Sustainable Logistics Network, formed just over a year ago by a group of universities and higher education institutions in the UK, Finland, Germany and France.
Huddersfield University, which is globally-renowned for the study of transport and logistics, represents the UK and now plays hosts to the second network conference.
Senior lecturer Christine Corns, who will chair the conference, said: "The event is an opportunity for managers in the fields of freight transport and logistics to learn more about innovative methods of meeting targets to reduce carbon emissions and to share ideas with others in the industry.
"Managers will also learn that the gains are economic as well as environmental.
"There may be a need for real investment – maybe the introduction of new technology – so there could be a cash outlay initially.
"But generally, the pay back on that is quite substantial in terms of monetary benefit as well as benefit to the environment."
Christine, who has a BSc in transport and distribution, has pursued a variety of operational management role in the logistics industry before joining the transport and logistics department at the university in 2002.
She teachers undergraduates in subject areas including logistics and supply chain management incorporating warehousing, transportation and inventory management.
She also teaches data management and analysis, economics for business and transport studies and supervises placements and final year project students.
The conference will run from 8.30am to 4.30pm and there is no fee to attend.
Contact Christine Corns at c.j.corns@hud.ac.uk or e-mail huddersfield@islc-network.com
