these endeavours and successes , TWG has established a strategic sustainability plan to drive it towards the goal of being New Zealand ’ s most sustainable retailer . The plan is based on three key pillars : product , planet and people . “ From a supply chain and logistics point of view , we ’ re primarily focused on the products stream ,” explains Foord . “ For example , efficiencies in transportation and delivery as well as packaging . It ’ s about finding that balance between protecting the product from damage and meeting customer expectations whilst reducing unnecessary waste and / or plastic .” Foord adds that , through its online fulfilment operations , TWG is currently transitioning away from plastic fillers and protection to 100 % recyclable , paperbased products . TWG is also paying consistent attention to the development of electric vehicles ( EVs ), building on the fact that the majority of vehicles in its customer delivery fleet are hybrid . The firm ’ s light vehicle fleet is incrementally shifting over to full-electric alternatives , with 30 % of its vehicles in this class set to be replaced with EVs this year .
Of the key successes of the transformation , Foord doesn ’ t hesitate to earmark the firm ’ s culture as a particular
highlight . “ It ’ s all about our people ,” he says . “ The transformation has enabled and celebrated the owner ’ s mindset : people treating the business as if it ’ s their own , looking after every dollar , every cent , to ensure that we are creating value for both the organisation and our customers .” He adds that the process has also provided employees with the tools to develop and execute ideas at pace . “ One thing our business has never lacked is good ideas ,” says Foord , offering an example of the internal innovations that this culture has enabled .
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