Modern talks to UPS: Brown talks green
-- Modern Materials Handling, 3/1/2009
Modern: What about the physical materials handling infrastructure at UPS and its impact on energy efficiency?
Abney: We have a building in California operated off of solar energy. That technology has worked well for us in that part of the country. Just like the fuel for our package cars, though, when we design our buildings we do so to maximize and optimize not only the human resources but also the latest technology in reducing energy. We’ll make sure we only power up just as operations are about to begin and power down as soon as we can. One of the most creative things we’ve done lately is “Decision Green,” an internal campaign with a Web site that challenges our 430,000 employees to continually find ways to reduce energy—not only in their business life, but also in their private lives. This way we can share with others our individual decisions and ways to reduce waste and conserve energy.
Modern: Are there specific technologies you’re excited about?
Abney: In our Kentucky hub we’re in the middle of a billion dollar expansion. We open the next phase this November and the final phase in October of next year. We’re putting in the latest technology that will allow us to not only reduce energy but also to reduce manpower. It’s not fully automated, but it’s automated from the point it enters our building to the point it leaves our building. We haven’t quite figured out how to use robots to unload and load trailers, but everything in between is designed to be as efficient as possible.
Modern: Is the economy causing shippers to put environmental sustainability on the back burner?
Abney: I can’t speak for companies that are holding on for dear life in this economy, but in our case the economy is making us more hungry and more eager to find ways to conserve energy and reduce waste. It saves us real dollars if we can operate more efficiently. We’ve been doing this for many years. If you’re going to operate in 200 plus countries and have the 430,000 employees, you have to fully realize you have a commitment to the world we live in.
Modern’s complete interview with David Abney can be read at www.mmh.com/blog/ups
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