News
McDonald’s supplier invests in fully-electric HGV
The move makes Agrial Fresh Produce, part of the French agriculture group Agrial and home to the Florette foodservice brand, the first fresh produce supplier in the UK to deliver to McDonald’s with an electric HGV.
The investment is part of a plan that will see Agrial Fresh Produce increase the number of fully electric vehicles within its distribution fleet. It also intends to replace its current fleet with energy-efficient, third-generation engine vehicles that deliver a 13% improvement in miles per gallon, which Agrial Fresh Produce calculates will translate to an 800 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions by the end of 2024.
This announcement forms part of the Agrial group's climate plan, which targets a 50% direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 35% carbon footprint reduction by 2035. Earlier this year, Agrial Fresh Produce was awarded a Gold EcoVadis rating, which recognised the firm’s commitment to protecting the environment and promoting the use of sustainable farming methods.
Agrial has a ‘continual drive to cut emissions’
Based in Wigan, Agrial Fresh Produce falls into the UK arm of Agrial’s vegetable division alongside Axgro, Agrial Fresh Farms and Florette.
Jay Booth, head of logistics at Agrial Fresh Produce, said that the group has a commitment to finding solutions that will enable its operations to become more sustainable across all business divisions.
“Our first electric HGV is part of our continual drive to invest in carbon saving innovation in as many areas as we can,” Booth added.
“We’re excited to be working with like-minded transport partners such as McDonald’s UK, Martin Brower UK, Volvo and others who share our passion. We can’t wait to see the trucks hit the road.”
In other news, food and drink manufacturers from across Wales unveiled more than 200 new products at BlasCymru / TasteWales last week, an achievement minister Lesley Griffiths praised in an interview with Food Manufacture.
