Macy’s, Schneider National See Savings and Green Benefits from Empty Miles Service

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions (VICS) Association, GS1 Canada and GS1 US today announced the release of a case study that confirms the benefits of the Empty Miles Service being offered by the three organizations. The study examines two VICS member companies, Macy’s Inc. and Schneider National, which are realizing both financial and environmental gains from the service.

“This case study is a significant milestone in showing the value of the Empty Miles Service, and we’re going to continue to work with the industry to explore new ways to further reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the overall cost of the retail supply chain.”

The VICS Empty Miles Service matches a company’s trailers that are returning empty with another company’s potential loads that can be collected and delivered along the return route. For participating companies, the Empty Miles service will save money, produce revenues and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption across North America. More than 30 companies are currently using the service, with more joining every week. The service, currently active in the United States, will launch in Canada later this year.

“The current market conditions are causing pricing pressures and impacting the performance of transportation providers,” said Steve Matheys, Executive Vice President, Chief Administration Officer, Schneider National. “By reducing empty miles, we can increase productivity and drive more customer value throughout their supply chains.”

As charter members, Macy’s and Schneider National are contributing to their respective company’s business goals while elevating the collective focus of the transportation industry to limit the impact of empty miles on the environment.

“We’ve engaged in many different initiatives for sustainability, but Empty Miles has really been in the forefront by providing us with tangible results,” said Bill Connell, Executive Vice President of Logistics, Macy’s Inc.

Results reported in the case study include:

• Schneider National has eliminated 61.65 tons of carbon dioxide, 147.24 tons of particulate matter and 1.47 tons of nitrous oxide while saving 5,554 gallons of diesel fuel.
• Schneider National has increased dedicated backhaul revenue on specific accounts using the VICS Empty Miles Service by 25 percent.
• Macy’s, which is committed to improving sustainability at every level, has experienced an increase of 30 backhaul loads per week, or a projected 1,500 loads per year, at competitive market rates. In addition, for each initial lane opened, Macy’s has reduced annualized transportation costs on average, by $25,000.

“The Empty Miles Service is designed to make it as easy as possible for VICS members and others to use, and this case study verifies that accomplishment. We are also very pleased to see the magnitude of the results for Macy’s and Schneider National, and expect similar or even better results in the future,” said Joe Andraski, President and CEO, VICS.

Bob Carpenter, President and CEO of GS1 US, said, “This case study is a significant milestone in showing the value of the Empty Miles Service, and we’re going to continue to work with the industry to explore new ways to further reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the overall cost of the retail supply chain.”

Editor’s note: The full case study is available at http://committees.vics.org/communications/em_case_study_9-18/.

About VICS

The Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions (VICS) Association has enabled companies in the retail and consumer-focused industries to eliminate billions of dollars of waste and delay. By creating voluntary guidelines, often referred to as “standards,” VICS has created new best practices that ultimately lead to lower costs and better availability of products for consumers. VICS’ volunteer members improve the flow of products and information throughout retailing and the consumer-focused industries that supply retail. The Association provides leadership and an environment in which executives can make a difference in their industry, their company performance - and their personal commitment to make the world work a little bit better. VICS’ members help define the next best practices in the industries and thus anticipate and optimize business processes and costs. Additional information can be found at www.vics.org.

About GS1 US

GS1 US is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the adoption and implementation of standards-based, global supply-chain solutions. More than 200,000 businesses in 25 industries rely on GS1 US for trading-partner collaboration and for maximizing the cost effectiveness, speed, visibility, and traceability of their goods moving around the world. They achieve these benefits through GS1 US solutions based on GS1 global unique- numbering and identification systems, bar codes, Electronic Product Code-based RFID, data synchronization, and electronic information exchange. GS1 US operates the subsidiaries and brands 1SYNC™; BarCodes and eCom™; EPCglobal US™; GS1 Healthcare US; and RosettaNet. It also manages the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC®) for the UNDP. www.GS1US.org

About GS1 Canada

GS1 Canada is a not-for-profit, industry-led organization that develops, promotes and maintains global standards for the identification of goods, services, locations and related e-commerce communication. As a member organization of GS1, GS1 Canada represents the interests of Canada in the continuing development of the global language of business. Active members of GS1 Canada that joined after March 31, 1997 receive exclusive rights to a globally unique company prefix, an essential component to creating industry-compliant barcodes. These rights must be renewed annually. Membership to GS1 Canada also includes industry education opportunities at reduced rates, toll-free help, and access to the full range of GS1 Canada value-added services and standards, including ECCnet Images & Validation (ECCnet I&V) and Item Centre: The next generation of ECCnet Registry.