Coca-Cola HBC, BWG Foods and Dixon International Transport delivering a cleaner future

Coca-Cola HBC, BWG Foods and Dixon International Transport delivering a cleaner future with fully electric HGV deliveries

The partnership will save 229 tonnes of CO2 annually initiative marks a further step in Coca-Cola HBC’s transition to low and zero-emission vehicles

BWG is committed to pioneering the newest breakthrough technologies across its entire supply chain

In the first pilot of its kind on the island of Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, together with BWG Foods and Dixon International Transport will be turning its delivery route green following the delivery of 3 fully electric Heavy Good Vehicles (e-HGVs). The initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 229 tonnes annually, the equivalent of charging over 25 million smartphones**.

The e-HGVs which have a range of 300km are the best in class in Europe and arrive in Ireland at a time when leading-edge European hauliers are increasingly embracing electrification. The e-HGVs will be recharged using 100% renewable electricity from Dixon International Transport’s new 500kw solar panel array. Each new e-HGVs will deliver up to 24 tonnes of Coca-Cola HBC beverages from its facility in Lisburn, Co. Antrim to BWGs National Distribution Centre in Dublin. From here BWG Foods will utilise its own electric fleet to complete final delivery of the beverages to its stores across the country.

Starting with three new fully electric Volvo HGVs, this pilot can act as a template for how producers, retailers and hauliers can work together to deliver a more sustainable supply chain. This initiative will also inform how Coca-Cola HBC approaches the distribution of its products in future. The longer ranges now on offer from e-HGVs makes this a new compelling option for fleet operators who are looking to decarbonise.

Clive Wilson, Supply Chain Director with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said “Sustainability requires partnership across sectors. As individual organisations we can go so far, however by working together we can drive the industry to a more sustainable future. In Coca-Cola HBC’s journey to NetZero by 2040, one of our key targets is to transition to low and zero-emission vehicles.  By the end of 2023 43% of our owned fleet will be fully electric, while at our production facility we utilise electric forklifts. We are delighted to be partnering with both BWG Foods and Dixon International Transport to undertake this island of Ireland pilot and look forward to turning our distribution route green together.”

Alan Crawford, Trading Director, BWG Foods said “This partnership is an exciting next step in our transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable options. We’ve already invested significantly in reducing own emissions across our distribution operations and now we are pioneering partnerships that will extend our positive impact even deeper into our supply chain. Our consumers increasingly value genuine progress in environmental sustainability so we will continue to work with suppliers and partners so that together we can increase the pace of innovation and reduce emissions across the sector.”

Brendan Dixon, Operations Manager of Dixon International Transport commented “We are excited to be partnering with Coca-Cola HBC and BWG Foods on this pilot project. As the largest fully electric HGV haulage fleet on the island of Ireland, we believe this has the potential to transform the landscape and demonstrate what is possible. We are investing heavily in our solar power generation capacity, with the addition of a 500kw solar installation and a fully automated 40,000 pallet warehouse, to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.  The journey to sustainable logistics solutions requires us all to work together and evolve how we operate supply chain logistics for the benefit of the environment. We believe this pilot will bring learnings we can apply across our organisation”.

Coca-Cola HBC deliver almost 20 million litres of beverages annually to BWG Foods which will now all be delivered using e-HGVs. Annually this has the potential to save up to 229 tonnes of CO2 compared to regular diesel trucks. That’s enough energy to power 29 homes for one year**.

*Dow Jones Sustainability Index can be viewed here and further information on Coca-Cola HBC’s NetZero by 2040 ambition is here.

**US EPA comparison

Picture Caption

In the first pilot of its kind on the island of Ireland, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, together with BWG Foods and Dixon International Transport will be turning its delivery route green following the delivery of 3 fully electric Heavy Good Vehicles (e-HGVs). The initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 229 tonnes annually, the equivalent of charging over 25 million smartphones**.  Pictured at the launch are: Alan Crawford, Trading Director, BWG Foods; Clive Wilson, Supply Chain Director with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, and Brendan Dixon, Operations Manager of Dixon International Transport.