A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University and Priority Freight, a major international distributor based in Kent, has helped the firm cut its carbon emissions by an average of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 a week thanks to improved vehicle route planning.
Over the next three years, the projected financial savings for the firm, based in Whitfield near Dover, will be significant. The savings are a direct result of the work accomplished through the KTP.
The KTP project was initially set up by Kent Innovation and Enterprise (KIE) who support and help deliver partnership projects with academics across the University. This partnership benefitted from the appointment of a Kent Business School (KBS) graduate, Brian Gutierrez, who worked with Professor Said Salhi (also from KBS) to embed new processes during a 30-month project with the company.
By identifying a new algorithm to apply to their freight movements, Brian Gutierrez was able to reduce the number of vehicle movements and miles covered across Europe, with enormous cost and environmental benefits.
Priority Freight is a 21-year old family owned business that provides time-critical logistics solutions to car manufacturers, global airlines and pharmaceutical giants. Staff at the firm describe the experience of working with the University of Kent KTP as ‘superb’ and would ‘very highly endorse’ such projects.
Brian Gutierrez, who was a Masters student in Logistics, is now working for the company as a result of his innovations through the KTP.
A previous KTP between the University and the Dover Harbour Board achieved the highest possible rating from Innovate UK, the UK’s technology strategy agency, after it helped reduce traffic congestion, boost efficiency and cut costs for the Port.