483: Tackling Transportation Sustainability? Start With a New Truck

Chad Dittberner of Werner talks about supply chain sustainability - challenges, alternative fuels, cost, partnerships, and why it's a strategic advantage.     IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [04.09] Chad's 32-year career at Werner, and an introduction to their Innovation Council and what it does. [06.37] The biggest sustainability challenges for the industry, and for Werner clients. "It can be messy aligning goals and initiatives. The overall pressure to reduce greenhouse gases is immense. There's progress in so many different things… But solutions aren't widely available at scale, especially in long-haul operations… And most of those solutions come with a premium cost." [10.13] Why sustainability is good business, not just the right thing to do, and why it's a strategic advantage for Werner. [12.23] How Werner are helping organizations approach their sustainability efforts, a closer look at alternative fuels like bio and renewable, and what a future-ready fleet might look like. "What people often forget… is that the newest trucks on the roadway are very efficient and their emissions are much lower. So we believe in keeping the cleanest trucks on the road. Our average age of truck is just over two years old, the industry average is six plus." [19.29] The impact of sustainability investments in both the short and longer term. "It's tough. We do a lot of exercises, and a lot them end with: 'Whoa, I didn't want to pay any more money for that.' But we have to share that cost if it's going to work. Short-term, there are some operational costs incurred to get emissions savings and efficiency gains. But we're seeing many shippers who are prioritizing partnerships with carriers that can demonstrate sustainability progress." [21.11] The importance of data for making smart decisions, and how Werner give real-time insight into sustainability issues like emissions. "It's a lot of information, it's a daily capture of fuel economies… and you're talking about millions of miles run every day. It becomes very difficult to do it in an Excel spreadsheet!" [23.27] How Werner use data to scorecard and report their own sustainability performance, and demonstrate their successes to inspire others. [26.11] Why it's so important that logistics solutions are scalable and built for sustainability. "To get real impact, efficiency requires solutions… And ultimately all of our big shippers want real solutions. Not just one lane, not just once in a while – they want it every day… It has to be scalable." [29.17] Two case studies highlighting how Werner helped a food client overcome challenges to successfully establish an electric fleet, and helped another client add devices to trailers and save 3% in fuel economy. "Companies have different themes of what they're working towards. So we need to know where we are today and where we're looking to go tomorrow." [33.52] From solar charging to carbon capture, the sustainability innovations Werner have their eye on for the future.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Werner's website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Werner and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Chad on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Werner, check out: 477: 95% of Cybersercurity Breaches Start With Email 446: Keep America Moving, with Werner 460: Discover the Limitless Value of Dedicated Freight in Today's Market, with Werner