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Logistics company, automotive logistics and just-in-time parts distribution specialists, Imperial, switches to IVECO Natural Power to help BMW Group improve sustainability in its logistics operations.

 

Basildon, October 4^th, 2021

 

The automotive supply chain is a demanding and extremely busy sector in which to work. Just-in-Time and Just-in-Sequence parts deliveries are crucial to the efficient running of production lines with zero margin for error or even the slightest delay. Time is money and vehicle uptime is key with trucks running 24 hours a day to service demand.

 

However, in 2021 big business must also keep its environmental responsibilities at the forefront of any decision and with a focus on both people and planet, JSE-listed Imperial Logistics (Imperial) has added 18 new IVECO Stralis Natural Power trucks to its fleet, powered by sustainably produced Liquified Natural Gas (Bio-LNG).

 

Ordered specifically for a contract with BMW Group, the new vehicles are based out of a satellite transport office that Imperial operates on the Unipart campus at MINI Plant Oxford in Cowley, Oxfordshire. The decision to make the switch to natural gas comes as part of BMW Group's wider efforts to improve sustainability throughout all areas of the company, which includes its supply chain and logistics operations.

 

The 18 AS440S46TX/P LNG IVECO Stralis NP 460 tractors are expected to cover around 3.3 million kilometres per year collectively which Imperial estimates will remove over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 from its annual emissions.

 

The trucks run 24 hours a day, with multiple shift drivers operating them, so an extensive training scheme was put in place during the 10 days preceding the vehicles going on the road. Delivered on-site by Roadgas personnel, all drivers and any site staff that would be fuelling vehicles were fully trained in how to safely operate the gas refuelling equipment.

 

IVECO NP heavy trucks are unique in the marketplace for being the only factory-built 6x2 tractors to run solely on natural gas. The 12.9-litre CURSOR 13 offers a diesel-equivalent 460hp and 2,000Nm of torque across a wide power band, ensuring that with the 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated gearbox with predictive mapping, there is no compromise to vehicle performance or driver enjoyment. The trucks run exceptionally quietly at 71dB, further minimising Imperial's and the manufacturing plant's environmental impact by halving engine noise pollution.

 

For maximum efficiency, the vehicles are all fitted with truck-specific navigation and GPS tracking. IVECO's in-house connectivity system monitors and feeds back fuel economy data as well as driving style analysis with training recommendations.

 

The vehicles will be maintained by local IVECO workshop, M & M Commercials via a six-year connected 3XL R&M package offering Imperial peace of mind as the proactive systems constantly monitor the vehicles to boost uptime. IVECO natural gas heavy trucks also offer industry-leading oil change intervals of up to 90,00kms.

 

Mark Miles, Managing Director, Imperial UK, said: "At Imperial we don't just focus on our profitability; our people and the environment are a very important consideration. We consider it our duty as a responsible and caring member of the global business community to adopt environmental best practice whenever possible in the course of our daily activity; and so the opportunity to reduce our UK haulage operation's environmental impact was compelling. We're delighted to be working with our customers as part of a joint effort to improve sustainability in logistics, reconciling business efficiency with environmental protection."

 

Commenting on the initiation, IVECO UK Heavy Business-line Director, Gareth Lumsdaine said "It's great to see that IVECO Natural Power trucks are having a powerful impact beyond their own road-haulage work. Not only are our products allowing transport operators to significantly reduce their own environmental impact but are allowing partnerships with pioneering businesses to make a meaningful green change back down the line."

 

With a short turnaround from order to delivery from South West Truck & Van in Swindon, Imperial along with SWTV and IVECO UK's Natural Power implementation specialists enlisted the expertise of Roadgas to support with fuel supply.

 

While a permanent solution has since been completed at the Cowley site, Roadgas was able to expedite the roll-out of a temporary solution within a matter of weeks to support Imperial's immediate need for bio-LNG deployment.

 

"The timings to deliver the temporary station were very tight," commented Becky Rix, Marketing Director for Roadgas, "the resourceful collaborative planning with the Imperial team, together with the successful implementation of driver training and the install of this bespoke Bio-LNG refuelling station has been a great start for the team in 2021 after what has been a really tough year. We're very proud to be working with the IVECO team and Imperial in helping to deliver their decarbonisation goals."

 

IVECO has been at the cutting edge of natural gas power for over 20 years now, developing a range of engines with sister company FPT Industrial to open the gates to mass decarbonisation in the transport industry all the way from its 3.5t Daily vans through Eurocargo up to the long-haul heavy sector. In 2021, the new IVECO S-WAY NP takes the baton from Stralis NP to continue its pioneering mission in to a cleaner, greener future.

 

For more information on IVECO Natural Power and to find your nearest IVECO dealer, visit www.iveco-dealership.co.uk

-ENDS-

 

IMPERIAL

Imperial is an African focused provider of integrated market access and logistics solutions. With a focus on the following key industries - healthcare, consumer, automotive, chemicals, industrial and commodities - we take our clients' products to some of the fastest growing and most challenging markets in the world. Ranked among the top tier global logistics providers and listed on the JSE in South Africa, we seek out and leverage new technology to deliver innovative, end-to-end solutions. Through our significant African footprint and international expertise, and with the support of our 25,000 people, Imperial's purpose is to connect Africa and the world - and to improve people's lives with access to quality products and services.

www.imperiallogistics.com

For more information contact:

Tanja Vinnepand
Head of Marketing | Logistics International
Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG
Tel. +49 203 3188-9553

tanja.vinnepand@imperiallogistics.com

 

IVECO

IVECO is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a world leader in capital goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). IVECO designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, and vehicles for applications such as off-road missions.

The brand's wide range of products include the Daily, a vehicle that covers the 3.3 – 7.2 ton vehicle weight segment, the Eurocargo from 6 – 19 tons and, in the heavy segment above 16 tons, the IVECO WAY range with the on-road IVECO S-WAY, the off-road IVECO T-WAY and the IVECO X-WAY for light off-road missions. In addition, the IVECO Astra brand builds off-road trucks, rigid and articulated dumpers as well as special vehicles.

IVECO employs close to 21,000 individuals globally. It manages production sites in 7 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America where it produces vehicles featuring the latest advanced technologies. 4,200 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries guarantee technical support wherever an IVECO vehicle is at work.

For further information about IVECO: www.IVECO.com

For further information about the IVECO dealer network: www.IVECO-dealership.co.uk

For further information about CNH Industrial: www.cnhindustrial.com

 

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For more information contact:

Lisa Fuller, Brand Marketing and Communications Manager
IVECO Ltd
Tel. +44 (0)7740 448110
lisa.fuller@IVECO.com
www.iveco.co.uk

Tom Waugh, IVECO Account Manager
Nobull Communications
Tel. +44 (0)7899 965115
iveco@nobullcomms.co.uk

Steve Carman, Director
Nobull Communications

Tel. +44 (0)7748 986521
iveco@nobullcomms.co.uk