Tesco train 2024 image

Winner: Tesco - Tesco Rail Network

Tesco’s rail freight initiative has become synonymous with the supermarket. “You only see Tesco cars on the rails. I’ve never seen anyone else’s,” one judge noted.

The initiative, which aims to enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce environmental impact by shifting goods from road to rail, has progressively expanded over the years.

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The October 2024 launch of its 10th rail service, between Daventry and Trafford Park, cemented Tesco’s industry-leading position. That’s not to mention the first-of-its-kind use of refrigerated rail containers, due to save about 6,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

The national impact of the initiative is even more impressive given the UK’s rail network is particularly hard to crack, with many moving pieces. Judges agreed the innovative refrigerated solution could easily be a blueprint for others.

Shortlisted:

  • Coca-Cola Europacific Partners - Wakefield: The Factory of the Future
  • JJ Foodservice - JJAO Internal Hub
  • Polytag - Polytag Ecotrace Programme
  • Simply Supply Chain with Asda - Cutting chilled logistics costs without compromising availability or waste
  • Tesco - Tesco Rail Network
 

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