GREEN LOGISTICS DELIVER BIG SAVINGS - EARTH FRIENDLY SERVICE PROVIDERS SUCH AS GREEN WAY EXPRESS GO ALL OUT FOR SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY - BY JAIME SANTIAGO

Logistics management can be a daunting process for any business, big or small. It can also make or break your bottom line results. 

In today’s competitive commercial environment in which inventory control, on-time delivery and cost containment have become essential element to a business’ survival, effective supply-chain management is a key factor for success.

That is why logistics has taken a front seat in any business operation.

By outsourcing your logistics needs to a green logistics provider, savings are locked in. Not only will a green operation take over your supply chain management and help you become more efficient, but the cost-saving measures such a service provider brings to the equation can make a substantial positive difference in any business’ profitability.

Green logistics companies incur savings that van passed on to their clients by maximizing efficiency in area such as fuel consumption reduction, packaging size, and delivery route and warehouse management.

Not content to rest on the green initiatives it has already implemented, Green Way Express, a local logistics provider, will start a new division this month called “Ciclo Pueblo”, a delivery service in Caguas that will use bicycles. The owners plan to franchise this concept in other municipalities in the near future.

Green Way Express has been active in the major logistics areas since it started operations four years ago.

“We started Green Way Express to provide unique, environmentally friendly supply chain solutions in Puerto Rico”, company director Carlos Berlingeri told CARIBBEAN BUSINESS. “With the environmental challenges we face on a daily basis, Green Way is able to provide solutions that will have the least impact on our climate and also help our customer base become ecologically friendly along the way.”

Operating from its warehouse facility – strategically located in Gurabo in the northeast region of the island, 15 minutes from San Juan and close to main highways – the company provides specialized tailor made green supply-chain services to its customers.

“Green Way Express has an environmentally aware business model.” Berlingeri said. “As the backbone and working philosophy of the company, our business model is based on providing our customers with the best service while using an environmentally aware operation.”

“By their nature, logistics companies worldwide are big contributors to the world’s environmental pollution. It is very difficult for a company like ours not to impact our planet, but it doesn’t mean there is nothing we can do. As a matter of fact, we can do tremendous things to help in this area.”

Green Way Express has four pillars that dictate how the company does business:

·         Emissions Control: The company invests in available technologies that minimize impact on the environment. One of these technologies is the user of liquefied propane gas to fuel its fleet, which is a cleaner burning fuel. Future company plans call for the user of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.

·         Route Technology: By using highly sophisticated computer technology that helps facilitate the planning and preparation of pick-up/delivery routes, the company is able to achieve its business goals while minimizing miles traveled and fuel consumption. Through the user of GPS (global positions system) technology, it identifies patterns and looks for opportunities to minimized emissions.

·         Carbon Offsets: Logistics companies depend on vehicles for the day-to-day activities. Since vehicles can’t be 100% pollution free, Green Way Express integrates programs into its business schedule that can somehow mitigate whatever negative impact its operations might have on the environment. Collecting garbage from El Yunque rainforest is an example of such an initiative.

·         Education: By educating its employees and customer on environmentally friendly best practices Green Way Express seeks to positively impact the environment.

Green Way Express provides its customers with highly controlled  supply-chain services such as express and delivery services that include same-day, early morning and next-day delivery; legal document filings; and mailroom services. It also includes a carbon-footprint label on all the packages it delivers called “Eco-Alert”. The label contains information regarding their efforts in paper, carton, wood and plastic recycling, CO2 emissions and the reduction of energy consumption.

The company also provides third-party logistics, warehousing and inventory control, and order fulfillment, distribution and consulting services.

Green Way Express prides itself on being able to offer services to its customers that bigger competitors won’t provide, and offers a money-back guarantee when its services aren’t rendered as promised.

“We don’t just make house deliveries,” said Michael Vazquez, co-founder of the company. “We have customers who, because of health conditions, need deliveries made to their rooms. We have also made deliveries to hospital surgical rooms by request of a customer."

“If we don’t provide the service we promised, we will refund your money.”