Three significant awards in one weekend for Cambridge business committed to making UK logistics greener

The awards each recognised the incredible effort the team at Welch’s Transport have taken to raise standards, innovate and embrace progress in recent years, particularly when it comes to sustainability.

Led by Chris Welch (fourth generation owner and Director), Welch’s Transport continues to push the boundaries of sustainable logistics.

This year, the company has embraced cutting-edge technology with one of the country’s first 19-ton Battery Electric HGVs. Their aim is to bring cleaner, greener logistics to organisations in the City and Business Parks around Cambridge and to the UK.

This bold move not only reduces their carbon footprint but also demonstrates Welch’s Transport’s commitment to environmental innovation.

They also installed a 150-kW charger early in 2023, which holds the mantle of being the first publicly accessible HGV supercharger in the UK - a resource they share with fellow hauliers, clearly demonstrating their belief in the power of collaboration for a greener future.

But that’s not all. With the aim of streamlining deliveries into and out of Cambridge, Welch’s Transport has established an Urban Consolidation Centre (UCC) at their site. This facility will limit the need for so many logistics vehicles to enter the City. Items can be delivered to the UCC, sorted to create the most efficient routes, and then taken onwards using the cleaner, electric vehicles.

And, implementing the latest technology, the company has this year harnessed Artificial Intelligence to optimise all their vehicle routes across the UK, resulting in up to a 15% reduction in their fleet mileage – which represents a significant reduction in emissions.

Finally, Welch’s Transport has expanded their ‘solar estate’ to 150 kW with a further 150 kW planned for next year and is now exploring wind generation and batteries to maximise its reliance on clean energy.

This will see them achieve the status of being the first logistics company in the UK to have a fully Net Zero Battery Electric Vehicle operation.

Chris Welch is rightly proud of the company’s achievements in 2023 - having earlier won two SME awards - saying: ‘It would be easy to sit back and celebrate next year’s 90^th anniversary with a degree of self-satisfaction. But the industry we’re in has its work cut out cleaning up its act. I am determined that Welch’s Transport lead the way by making our little bit of the world as good as it can be. I couldn’t be happier that the awards the team have won this year recognise the importance of our efforts and will show other businesses the value of using innovation to make progress that will ultimately benefit everyone.’

Awards won weekend 8^th December

1. GREENFLEET Awards - British Motor Museum, Gaydon

Winner - Private Sector Commercial Fleet of the Year

Highly Commended - Private Sector Fleet Manager of the Year – Chris Welch, Director

2. Logistics UK Awards - Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London

Winner - Rising Star of the Year – Jamie Sands, Operational Support Manager

Shortlisted - Logistics Leader of the Year

3. Renault Trucks UK Dealer Network Awards - NEC Birmingham

Winner - Service Market Dealer of the Year – WTL Duxford

Awards also won in 2023

28th September

SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards - Cambridge Country Club, Bourn

Winner - Business Innovation

Winner - Business of the Year more than 50 Employees

Shortlisted - Business Person of the Year, Chris Welch

1st December

SME National Business Awards - Wembley Stadium, London

Shortlisted - Business Innovation

Shortlisted - Business of the Year (more than 50 Employees)