LOGISTICS BRIEFS

Transportation initiatives are a key part of a second global corporate responsibility report published byKellogg Company. The Battle Creek, Mich.-based giant uses the report to outline its sustainability strategies, key initiatives and future direction in the environment, marketplace, workplace and community.
Since 2005, Kellogg said it has decreased its energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water use per metric tonne of food produced by 5.7, 8.9 and 7.4 percent, respectively, and decreased total waste sent to landfill by 41.5 percent per metric tonne of food produced.

Important to this progress is the company's focus on transportation-related energy use and CO2 emissions, officials said. Kellogg has decreased per-case fuel in its U.S.-operated truck fleet by 40 percent as a result of designing more efficient routes, restricting idling time and other efforts. The company also recently increased the amount of product on each truck to reduce miles and save fuel. In addition, Kellogg has worked with contract carriers to reduce diesel fuel consumption by 39 percent compared to 2005, or 10.9 million gallons per year. Kellogg will continue to focus on improvements in this area by reducing the number of vehicles in its fleet, continuing to drive fuel efficiencies and other initiatives.

The New Braunfels (Texas) Herald-Zeitungreported that foodservice distribution giantSysco Corp., Houston, plans to consolidate its Central Texas distribution centers and build a 640,000-square-foot facility off Interstate 35, near Schertz, Texas. Officials expect the new site to be operational by 2012, the newspaper reported.

Three companies are joining forces to offer expedited refrigerated intermodal "Cold Train" container rail and distribution service between Quincy, Wash., and Chicago. Member partners areRail Logistics, Overland Park, Kan.;Columbia Colstor, Quincy, Wash.; and LaGROU Distribution(Chicago Cold Storage). The new four-day, door-to-door train also involves thePort of Quincy(Wash.) and will be available six days a week depending on demand, officials said.