GRUBER Logistics’ commitment to environmental sustainability

2019 and 2020 were two years marked by substantial investments in environmental sustainability for GRUBER Logistics. Indeed, the company has made its commitment to the environment and future generations one of the cornerstones of its corporate strategy, planning further investments over the next 3 years. These are the initiatives implemented so far:

GRUBER Logistics was awarded twice in the space of two weeks for its commitment to greater sustainability in transport:

• Europäischer Transportpreis für Nachhaltigkeit 2020: On November 21, 2019, the European Transport Award for Sustainability was presented for the fifth time, with GRUBER Logistics securing second place in the “Transport and Forwarding Companies” category for its commitment to environmental protection, resource conservation, and social responsibility.
• Project Cargo Network Environmental Award of the Year 2019: The following week, the Bremen branch of GRUBER Logistics was awarded first place in the Project Cargo Network Environmental Award of the Year 2019 for its particular focus on environmental protection in everyday business operations.

“We are a family-owned company in the heart of South Tyrol’s unique landscape, and care for the environment and the surrounding community has always been an integral part of our corporate strategy,” states Martin Gruber, Group CEO of GRUBER Logistics. “We are proud that our efforts in environmental protection are recognized and appreciated, and we hope to set an example for all those companies that believe finding a balance between market challenges and a mindful, respectful approach to ecological issues is impossible.”

The recent purchase of Iveco tractor units powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) (https://www.gruber-logistics.com/nuovi-investimenti-per-la-logistica-sostenibile-di-gruber-logistics/) represents only a small part of a broader corporate policy. GRUBER Logistics has been investing for over 40 years in intermodal transport: by combining road transport with rail and sea freight, and managing an absolute minimum of empty runs (thanks to highly efficient planning), it is possible to keep CO2 emissions low, minimising the number of vehicles on the road, even without using alternative propulsion systems. Already today, 30% of the transalpine freight traffic managed by GRUBER Logistics travels by rail, and the trend is growing, also thanks to the direct rail link between Kreuztal (Siegen) and Verona (https://www.gruber-logistics.com/gruber-logistics-investe-sul-trasporto-intermodale-italia-germania/) in which the company itself has invested significantly.

In addition, in 2019 the company ordered its first hydrogen-powered tractor unit (https://www.gruber-logistics.com/gruber-logistics-promuove-la-tecnologia-ad-idrogeno-per-i-trasporti-internazionali-in-europa/) from US manufacturer Nikola Motor Company, thus becoming one of the first transport companies in Europe to invest in this alternative form of transport. Finally, the entire GRUBER Logistics fleet is made up of EURO VI vehicles, belonging to the lowest emission class. Careful vehicle maintenance in company workshops and driver training according to the principles of efficient driving (“Eco-Driving”) help keep fuel consumption as low as possible.

At GRUBER Logistics, the commitment to the environment starts with the small things: in some branches, for instance, electric charging stations have been installed in parking lots, while warehouses and offices are strictly illuminated with an LED system for maximum energy savings. The offices and workshop at the Ora headquarters, where over 150 employees work, are heated by a wood pellet-powered cogeneration plant, one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional fuels. The plant supplies electricity to several thousand households in the surrounding areas.

Recently, the company decided to eliminate single-use plastic in its offices: in 2018, all employees received a reusable water bottle as a gift to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles. In addition, at the Ora headquarters, coffee and beverage vending machines were equipped with an innovative system that allows employees to use their own cup instead of a plastic cup – a small measure with a major impact that will soon be implemented across the Group’s other branches as well. After all, one cup of coffee a day per employee corresponds, at the Ora headquarters alone, to over 35,000 plastic cups that will not end up polluting the environment in 1 year.

“It is evident that both our customers and our employees are increasingly mindful of climate change and its effects. We also want to do our part by working in the most eco-friendly way possible, hoping to set an example for many,” says Ramona Duckstein, Branch Manager of the GRUBER Logistics Bremen branch, who submitted, on behalf of the company, the application for the Project Cargo Network Environmental Award.