https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Logistics company aims for energy reduction as part of 49M

17th May 2013

By: Sashnee Moodley

Senior Deputy Editor Polity and Multimedia

  

Font size: - +

Global logistics and supply chain management company Imperial Logistics joined State-owned power utility Eskom and the government-endorsed energy efficiency initiative, 49M, in March to reinforce the company’s commitment to reduce energy consumption.

Imperial Logistics CEO Marius Swanepoel says the company is a key partner to 49M as it can help spread the message of consuming less electricity to all of its stakeholders, using existing communication channels.

“A significant energy user for our operations is lighting and, [therefore], Imperial Logistics has implemented a pilot project to replace old lighting technology with new energy efficient lighting technology. Following the successful implementation of the pilot project, it is now being rolled out to additional sites in the group,” Swanepoel says, adding that the key component of implementing environmental and energy management programmes is to raise Imperial Logistics employees’ level of awareness.

He says Imperial Logistics hopes to capitalise on the 49M awareness programme to assist the company in achieving its own energy efficiency objectives.

The 49M awareness programme is also aimed at providing Imperial Logistics employees with practical examples of how to be part of the solution.

As part of the 49M initiative, a range of tools and platforms based on behavioural science has been developed by Eskom to effect sustained change in behaviour related to resource use.

Partners to 49M have the opportunity to access these tools and platforms and, with support from the 49M team, can design custom-made solutions to effectively deliver the energy-saving message to the stakeholders of a partner organisation.

Using these tools, Imperial Logistics has identified key environmental days during the year and has designed its programme to raise environmental challenges on those days.

The 49M campaign, which was launched in March 2011, urges all South Africans to reduce energy consumption by 10% by changing the way electricity is used.

Eskom strategic marketing senior manager Pieter Pretorius says 49M supports partner organisations in their efforts to achieve energy savings that result from changes in the consumption behaviour of operators of electrical appliances, machinery, lighting and other technologies requiring electricity.

“Organisations that have started with or have completed technical retrofits of their facilities will benefit further owing to the savings achieved by the behaviour changes of consumers. Organisations that lack financial resources to implement technical retrofits, can start making a contribution through behaviour changes and use the savings achieved to fund these technical retrofits over time,” he advises.

Further, Pretorius says energy efficiency is a pressing consideration and immediate action is required by all people worldwide to ensure that the energy needs of future generations are provided for.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are giving organisations a competitive edge in attracting clients, Pretorius notes, adding that all businesses should implement energy efficiency programmes today to benefit from the results tomorrow.

So far, 49M has partnered with 79 businesses that have pledged to reduce their electricity consumption.

Further, the 49M campaign encourages South Africans to embrace energy saving as part of the national culture and join the global journey towards a sustainable future.

Pretorius says he is pleased that more companies are supporting the 49M initiative.

“This commitment will go a long way towards ensuring that the energy-saving campaign achieves its mandate. “Imperial Logistics’ pledge is another milestone in our journey towards a sustainable future. Eskom is excited about this partnership, as it will strengthen the campaign and increase awareness as the company rolls out its energy efficiency programmes,” he concludes.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

Comments

Showroom

Rentech
Rentech

Rentech provides renewable energy products and services to the local and selected African markets. Supplying inverters, lithium and lead-acid...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Actom image
Actom

Your one-stop global energy-solution partner

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.218 0.283s - 271pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now