Forceful implementation of a sustainable strategy GO! steps on the environmentally friendly gas
GO! Express & Logistics is intensifying its activities in the area of sustainability. With the application of gas-powered vehicles – compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – GO! is really stepping on the environmentally friendly gas at the start of 2006. As a result the provider of courier and express services is not only reducing environmental pollution but is also decisively cutting its operating costs – especially its fuel costs.
"Thanks to our support for the Nestor II study, a European research project by the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg (MPIMET), we have been able to examine our operational processes and their efficiency from an emission-control point of view. In the process we have received some useful ideas about the areas where optimisation is possible", explains Ralf-Hans Dierks, CEO of GO! General Overnight Service (Deutschland) GmbH.
The Nestor II team analysed the CO2 efficiency and energy consumption per shipment. The findings were then presented to a large number of participants from the logistics market on 8 December 2005. The CEP data for the study was provided exclusively by GO! The study was rounded off by an industry survey in the form of interviews, and its results showed that the CEP segment is already operating at a very high level of efficiency. Nevertheless the researchers showed potential for improvement in, for example, the use of telematic and navigation systems, the choice of the optimum delivery vehicle and use of alternative fuels.
(For more information see: www.mpimet.mpg.de)
Many GO! stations have already reacted to the recommended optimisation possibilities. Currently more than 50 gas vehicles are in use and the number is increasing. Some stations have already converted their whole fleet to gas.
For this purpose there are two possibilities in Germany, in that both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which requires no feed lines, are available. Each of these is intended to provide a low-pollutant alternative to conventional fuel and drive technology for the purpose of achieving cleaner emissions in road transport.
There are 8 gas-powered vehicles in use at the GO! station in Bad Hersfeld alone. "In March 2006 there will be 10 of them", says manager Christian Schmidt. "In addition to reducing the environmental pollution it is also financially profitable to operate with natural and liquid gas driven vehicles. In 2005 we were able to save about EUR 3.50 for every 100 kilometres driven, compared with conventional diesel vehicles. This quickly compensates for the increased purchase price of the vehicle, which is EUR 2,000 higher, when this vehicle is used for 3 years and covers an average of 300,000 km. In addition, for each new vehicle we receive financial support worth about EUR 1,000 from the local gas supplier. This corresponds to about 1,500 kg of gas."
"This targeted conversion to gas-powered vehicles is a major contribution by our organisation to environmental policy", states CEO Dierks. "We are committing ourselves to sustainability. Compared to diesel engines the emissions of poisonous carbon monoxide are marginal, while carcinogenic sulphur dioxide emissions are avoided almost completely. In addition gas-powered utility vehicles create up to 50 % less noise than diesel vehicles."
GO! Express & Logistics is an amalgamation of medium-sized providers of courier services with 15 shareholding partners in Germany. The company employs 600 commercial staff and 3,000 couriers in over 70 stations in Germany and throughout Europe, with a 70,000 strong customer base. Internationally GO! operates on a worldwide scale with a network of partners. Since its formation GO! has grown to become the market leader among medium-sized service providers on the German market, and today enjoys quality leadership in the CEP segment. Overnight deliveries provide the core of the express system to the present day. Since the launch of the overall brand strategy early in 2002 the company’s many supplementary and value-added services have been reflected by the addition to the logo: "Express & Logistics". The course has already been set for the future: decisive international orientation, consistent pursuit of higher quality standards and a number of recent strategic cooperations will ensure GO! a major place on the express market in future, too.
GO! press contact:
Marie-Therese Kron • Laub & Partner GmbH
Kedenburgstr. 44 • 22041 Hamburg
Tel. 040-656 972-36 • Fax 040-656 972-50
Email: [email protected]
Kerstin Wenzel • GO! General Overnight GmbH
Willy-Brandt-Allee 20 • 53113 Bonn
Tel. 0228-24 393-300 • Fax 0228-24 393-190
Email: [email protected]
