The acquisition of the new Volvo FM Electric Globetrotter Cab from the Hartshorne Group is the latest initiative by Wednesbury-based Nicklin aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and minimising the environmental impact of its products at every stage of their lifecycle.
Heavy goods vehicles currently account for 19% of domestic transport emissions in the UK with less than 500 fully electric HGVs on the road out of an overall fleet of almost 500,000 and Nicklin CEO and owner David Nicklin said the move towards electric was a vital pillar of a more sustainable and eco-conscious business model.
“It is the responsibility of all businesses and industries to adopt greener practices for the sake of everybody’s future,” he said.
“Our aim is to provide our customers with the most sustainable possible solutions and this latest investment is an important next step along our journey towards becoming a carbon neutral business in 2024 with a longer-term aspiration to become the UK’s first net zero pallet and packaging company.”
Earlier this year Nicklin opened a biomass plant at its Wednesbury headquarters, which has eradicated the need for natural gas for heating as well as cutting thousands of haulage miles by burning up to 1,000 tonnes of timber waste that would have previously gone to landfill.
As well as being the first pallet and packaging company to invest in Volvo’s new generation of electric cabs, Nicklin has also invested in a fleet of electric forklift trucks as well as introduced LED lighting across its plant to further reduce its carbon footprint.
“At the heart of our approach is circularity,” said Mr Nicklin. “We are using sustainable raw materials to design low carbon products that are reusable, repairable and recyclable with any wood waste being reprocessed to fuel through our biomass boiler.
“Through starting to replace our fleet of trucks with electric vehicles, we are now able to ensure our products are also being delivered in the most efficient and environmentally sustainable way possible.”
“We are delighted to be working with Nicklin as they make this pioneering step along their green journey,” added Brian Cronin, Hartshorne Group sales director. “This investment by Nicklin will not only help them reduce their carbon footprint but will also serve as an inspiration to others across industry to follow suit.”
