Costin Logistics says going green makes profits

Despite tough economic conditions for hauliers, West Midlands-based Costin Logistics is insisting that implementing a green stratgey can still achieve profits.

Speaking at the Green Logistics Summit 2008, held at the Pall-Ex hub in Ellistown, Leicestershire, last week, Helen Gallimore, managing consultant at Key3, a logistics consultancy, said that since January, Costin Logistics has seen 5% reductions in fuel consumption and 17% lower CO2 emissions.

Following the owner of Key3 Partners' purchase of Costin Logistics in June 2007, the firm said profits had moved into the black from breaking even by going green.

According to Craig Bunker, managing director of Key3 and part-owner of Costin Logistics, the firm and its mechanical division Autorite, are attracting customers through green accreditation.

"Certain customers are having to put green in as a requirement, so you need to be proactive in that area to be considered," he says.

Bunker believes joining Pallet-Track has helped to cut running miles and switching to Michelin pay per km tyres in July has cut costs.

"The old way was to buy the cheapest tyres, but this can actually cost more because of poor quality. There is great inflation in the new tyres and this reduces my fuel costs."