Ryder Named a Food Logistics Top Green Provider

Ryder System, Inc., a leader in supply chain, warehousing, and transportation management solutions, today announced it has been named one of 2013’s “Top Green Providers” by Food Logistics.

The “Top Green Providers” list focuses on sustainability in the global food supply chain with profiles of companies who are exceeding industry standards in their sector. This year’s list includes food producers and manufacturers, 3PLs and transportation and logistics providers, equipment manufacturers, and others whose products and services are driving sustainability from farm to fork.

Ryder’s inclusion in the list reflects the company’s leadership in providing food and beverage companies with green transportation and logistics solutions to help them meet their sustainability goals.

“Food producers and manufacturers have a longstanding and unique relationship to sustainability and environmental conservation considering their dependence on water resources and arable land,” noted Lara L. Sowinski, editor-in-chief for Food Logistics.

“In recent years, sustainability has also become critical to other players in the global food supply chain, particularly transportation and logistics providers, equipment manufacturers, software and technology companies, and others who recognize that incorporating sustainable practices leads to more efficient, ethical, and profitable organizations.”

“Being named a top green provider by Food Logistics not only validates our core beliefs in sustainability, but also motivates Ryder to continue making strides in improving sustainability for our customers”Darin Cooprider, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Packaged Goods for Ryder Supply Chain Solutions

Ryder engages with customers to help them “green” their supply chains by focusing on carbon reduction in three critical areas: transportation, facilities and buildings, and network design. In transportation, customers are not only able to take advantage of Ryder’s engineering expertise to optimize shipments, routes, and modes, but can also tap into Ryder’s alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas and hybrid vehicles.

Within warehouse buildings and facilities, Ryder promotes lighting efficiencies, and leading edge energy and temperature management technologies. In addition, Ryder strives to find alternative uses for by-products and waste. Beyond optimization efforts, leading green supply chains often start with smart design. By designing a supply chain network with the reduction of the carbon footprint as a primary focus, Ryder advises customers on factors such as the location of distribution centers, miles to be traveled, amount of inventory, and size and number of facilities included in the network.

Ryder is also the leader in alternative fuels for the commercial truck leasing and rental industry. In 2010, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) selected Ryder as its fleet partner in a ground-breaking natural gas project in Southern California – the first of its kind to deploy natural gas vehicles into a large commercial truck leasing and rental operation.

The project included 202 heavy duty natural gas vehicles and three strategically located maintenance shops in Rancho Dominguez, Orange, and Fontana. Since 2010, Ryder has continued to build on its natural gas vehicle offering by providing natural gas vehicles in markets such as Arizona, Michigan, and most recently, Louisiana. The company currently has more than 300 natural gas vehicles in customer operations, with many in the food and beverage industry.

“Being named a top green provider by Food Logistics not only validates our core beliefs in sustainability, but also motivates Ryder to continue making strides in improving sustainability for our customers,” said Darin Cooprider, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer Packaged Goods for Ryder Supply Chain Solutions. “The sustainable supply chain and transportation initiatives we work on with our customers not only help the environment, but also drive operational efficiencies that improve execution and reduce costs.