Proactive Driver Performance Management Keeps Fuel Efficiency on Track
Abstract:
This document is a case study on Thorntons plc in Alfreton, Derbyshire for 'Proactive Driver Performance Management Keeps Fuel Efficiency on Track'.
Thorntons is a major UK manufacturer and retailer of premium confectionery, with more than 4,200 employees. Its 65-acre site, Thornton Park, links manufacturing, packing, warehousing and distribution operations in one location. The distribution operation delivers a product range of over 1,000 different stock items on a regular basis to its 389 stores and 198 franchised locations, including 26 sites with Thorntons' cafes.
A fuel management programme was originally implemented in 1995 as part of the company's commitment to:
The encouraging results achieved convinced Thorntons of the need to develop and refine the programme to maintain and increase savings, and to achieve further environmental benefits. They invested further in computerised fuel monitoring equipment and introduced a range of key driver performance indicators linked to financial bonuses. The success of this incentive scheme is due primarily to its careful management, which allows individual drivers to raise issues and explain any under-performance on a weekly basis.
"Distribution may be subsidiary to the main activity of our business, but it underpins our overall commercial success. As the business as a whole strives to increase its turnover, so we constantly endeavour to reduce both the financial and environmental costs of our distribution operation. Since 1999, Thorntons has increased turnover from £143 million to £167.1 million per year, but the percentage cost of distribution relative to turnover has fallen from 1.83% to 1.56%.
One of the key tools used to achieve this reduction in operating costs has been our fuel management programme - undoubtedly a cornerstone of our operation. It is a great example of drivers, operations staff and management working together to improve our operational efficiency and reduce our operating costs. The programme has been developed over a number of years and will continue to be refined in the future."
This case study details:Publication Year:
2007
Publisher:
Department for Transport
DOI:
No DOI minted
Author(s):
DfT
Energy Categories
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Language:
English
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application/pdf
File Size:
723125 B
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Region:
United Kingdom
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Proactive driver performance management keeps fuel efficiency on track
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