ESG in focus: trans-o-flex significantly expands sustainability commitment

• Newly created sustainability team reports directly to CEO Wolfgang Albeck
• Above-average values in the consolidation of delivery routes
• Almost 100% of the electricity used is obtained from renewable energy sources
• trans-o-flex again recognised as diversity leader

With the publication of its eleventh annual sustainability report, logistics specialist trans-o-flex is underlining its commitment to ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), making its set targets for improving carbon efficiency transparent and announcing the launch of numerous initiatives to strengthen the sustainability culture in the company and live up to its social responsibility. "The sustainability strategy and its implementation are central to the successful further development of our company," says trans-o-flex CEO Wolfgang P. Albeck. He intends to place even more emphasis on this area in future and set up a sustainability team that reports directly to the CEO. "We have already succeeded in filling the first position in the team, and more will follow."

Albeck explains the company’s climate goals in the sustainability report: "In the long term, trans-o-flex plans to be carbon neutral by 2045 at the latest." He sees a major lever to achieving this goal in the strategic positioning of the company: "A key factor for efficiency gains and very concrete sustainability benefits is our unique focus on selected markets and the accompanying consolidation of consignments. This enables us to achieve an ever higher consolidation of deliveries, which in turn means that we can make more and more deliveries to the end customer with one trip. This consolidation is already far above the usual key figures in the CEP sector (courier, express and parcel services). At the same time, Albeck hopes to achieve further environmental progress through continuous process improvements: "Every kilometre we don’t drive also improves our carbon footprint. That’s why innovative tools like our AI-assisted short-haul dispatching, which allows us to deliver more consignments with fewer vehicles, are making us sustainably successful."

For years, trans-o-flex has accepted considerable additional financial expenditure to avoid emissions and obtains around 98% of the electricity it uses from renewable energy sources. In addition, with its co2de green service, trans-flex offers customers the option of fully offsetting the carbon emissions of their shipments. Other climate-effective initiatives in the core business include the introduction of returnable transport systems and plastic hygiene pallets in line haul. The plastic pallets can be used many more times than the traditional wooden pallets, are more hygienic, lighter and maintain a constant weight. Wooden pallets, on the other hand, attract moisture and become heavier with each trip, resulting in higher transport weight and lower carbon efficiency. With various returnable systems geared to industry needs, trans-o-flex also offers its customers alternatives to disposable cardboard boxes, which further reduces the consumption of resources in transport. Innovations such as the returnable containers that we have introduced with a view to the different packaging needs in our customer industries not only improve the carbon footprint of the respective logistics chain, but also once again increase the safety and security of the goods entrusted to us," says Albeck.

trans-o-flex recognised as diversity leader for the second time

In the area of social affairs and society, the sustainability report refers, among other things, to the repeat award as a "Diversity Leader". In 2020, for example, trans-o-flex was ranked among the "Diversity Leaders" out of 15,000 different companies for the second time by a major media company. trans-o-flex now employs people from 62 different countries. In addition, 25 per cent of middle and senior management positions have already been filled by women. This is a 100% increase compared to 2014. "We will continue to pursue this course resolutely," says Albeck. "An open and diverse corporate culture is a key requirement for our sustainable business success. We are proud to already have such a diverse team and will continue to work to leverage the individual strengths of our employees in future."

As part of its social commitment, trans-o-flex focuses on promoting and improving the local environment at its sites. This includes supporting education, community projects and nature conservation. In addition, the private social commitment of employees is to be recognised and promoted. At events such as the Rhine-Main Volunteer Day, teams of trans-o-flex volunteers regularly get involved in social projects such as the Protestant Youth and Disability Aid Centre at the headquarters in Weinheim.