Walmart Canada today announced it will proceed with the second phase of its Supercube project and releases preliminary results following completion of phase one. The objective of the pilot is to ensure compliance with all safety requirements; validate cost saving projections; and assess whether use of the Supercube will allow the retailer to reduce the environmental impact of its logistics and transportation operations.
The Supercube is a 60-foot 6 inch trailer combined with a snub-nosed truck and drome box that allows the retailer to ship over 40 % more merchandise compared to a standard 53-foot tractor – trailer combination. Designed and built in Mississauga, Ontario, the Supercube trailer was developed in partnership with Innovative Trailer Design.
“I am extremely pleased with the results we are seeing so far,” said Andy Ellis, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain & Logistics at Walmart Canada. “We have confirmed that this truck will allow us to deliver the same merchandise using fewer trucks, in less time. This means faster delivery of merchandise to stores, less fuel, lower emissions and lower maintenance costs,” added Ellis.
“Based on the early success of our pilot project we hope to begin adding additional Supercube trucks to the fleet as early as next spring,” new linksaid Michael Buna, Senior Transportation Manager at Walmart Canada. “On the long term, we estimate that this truck could be used in up to 40 % of our delivery routes.”
This project is part of Walmart Canada’s strategic productivity initiative, Operate For Less, which requires the company to permanently reduce operational expenses by over $100 million annually. Operate for Less is about reducing costs, allowing the retailer to reduce prices and help customers save money.
The second phase of the project will see the retailer make improvements to the existing truck in order to improve load and unload times and will begin work to extend the Supercube fleet. Walmart has four Supercube trucks on the road today.
For their tremendous efforts driving sustainable innovation in the transportation sector, Andy Ellis and Michael Buna were recognized by Canada’s Clean50, an organization that recognizes 50 individuals or small teams who have made the greatest contributions to sustainable development or clean capitalism in Canada.
“We are incredibly proud of the vision, perseverance and innovative spirit that Andy and Michael have shown as they continually seek to improve our logistics operations,” said Shelley Broader, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. “This is a project that has the potential to benefit the retail industry as a whole, and ultimately all Canadians.”
On successful completion of the pilot project, Walmart Canada hopes to roll out the Supercube in all regions across Canada over the next five years. Walmart Store Inc. is also looking into the potential use of the Supercube for its U.S. logistics operations.
trailer
Note that the supercube requires fewer trips for the same merchandise, however, it requires more time to load and unload.
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