Co-create a sustainable supply chain
Logistics that is kind to both the environment and people
The Calbee Group supports the White Logistics Promotion Initiative. By working with transportation and logistics companies, we make proactive efforts to improve working conditions and make logistics sustainable. To pursue optimal operations, we aim to reduce loading and unloading work and waiting times. To achieve higher efficiency, we use state-of-the-art technology to reduce man-hours of manual labor. These improvements will also result in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. With our logistics operations that are friendly to the environment and workers, the Calbee Group seeks to be a manufacturer chosen by truck drivers.
Main initiatives
Optimal Operations
Making logistics sustainable will lead to reductions in impact on the environment and burden on workers. We are making various improvements, including redeveloping logistics centers and designing distribution and delivery routes, to achieve optimal operations. We are also making efforts to shorten drivers' waiting times by reducing loading and unloading work and time through palletized shipping. Changing the measurements of cardboard boxes used for some products to fit pallets increases the truck loading rate to 120%, resulting in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the distribution and delivery processes.
Improved logistics operations through automation and AI
We are making improvements to our logistics operations through the use of the latest technology and AI. We have unmanned forklifts and an automated storage warehouse at the Kyoto Factory, and installed the same facilities at the Konan Factory in 2021. There is a fully automated warehouse at the Shin-Utsunomiya Factory, which has the highest production volume, and truck loading time at the factory is now only 10 minutes, helping to reduce drivers' waiting times. Warehouse automation can change the way we work. Before warehouses were automated, workers manually performed most work, such as forklifting and palletizing, but they are now expected to operate machines and carry out preventive maintenance. Automation has eliminated manual work, and workers are trained to improve their work skills.
White Logistics Promotion Initiative
The Calbee Group carries out the White Logistics Promotion Initiative together with other business operators and transportation and logistics companies. To address the issue of waiting times at our distribution centers, we (1) monitored actual waiting times, (2) visualized the process at all distribution centers, (3) analyzed the process and identified challenges, and (4) successfully resolved the challenges. In FY2022, waiting times at our distribution centers were reduced to 19 minutes on average, down from 24 minutes in FY2021. Our logistics operations have other challenges that we should address, which include reductions in waiting times at delivery destinations, reviews of accompanied work, and improved working conditions in logistics by extending delivery lead times. We share and attempt to resolve these challenges with our business partners as part of the Network Kaizen Initiative. By carrying out these various initiatives, we strive to conduct logistics operations that are preferred and chosen by truck drivers.
