The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has announced new collaborations with specialists The Algorithm People and Auditel as the industry pivots to a more environmentally sustainable future and reduces emissions.

Both organisations have become affiliate members of the SWA and will participate in a special webinar later this month (August 31) aimed at helping members – both wholesalers and suppliers – to not only cut costs across their business operations but reduce and calculate their carbon emissions.

Based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, The Algorithm People is a company specialising in route optimisation, fleet scheduling and electric vehicle optimisation solutions. It is offering SWA members access to its award-winning My Transport Planner (MTP) optimisation platform with selected members also getting free access to trial and showcase the power of MTP.

Under the new partnership with SWA, all members will benefit from discounted fees to access the My Transport Planner fleet optimisation platform – which uses powerful computer algorithms to route and schedule vehicle deliveries and collections, maximising operational efficiency.

The software maximises operational efficiency with the company’s clients typically reporting improved productivity, reduced fuel cost and lower emissions of 20%. Members attending this month’s webinar will have the opportunity to explore the benefits of routing and scheduling optimisation as well as receive instruction on accessing My Transport Planner.

Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “Our association is committed to supporting our members on their journey to a more environmentally sustainable future so we are delighted to be collaborating with The Algorithm People, giving our membership the opportunity to access the range of optimisation tools which will help them to reduce cost, fuel and CO2.”

Meanwhile, leading carbon and cost management company Auditel, based in Hampshire, is working with SWA members to help them achieve sustainable change on their carbon and cost reduction journey. Supported by over 100 procurement and carbon specialists from a broad range of professions and industries, Auditel offers extensive knowledge and expertise in procurement and carbon management.

Smith said: “Auditel is already working with SWA members and during the webinar they will demonstrate success stories on how they have helped organisations to cut carbon, save costs and driver greater efficiencies across several areas of their business.

“The aim of the webinar is to help members not just to navigate their journey towards net zero, but to fund it through our cost savings and procurement solutions from within the business.”

Earlier this year, the SWA was invited to join Scotland’s new Zero Emission Truck Taskforce in recognition of its ongoing work with members as part of its ‘Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry’ project.

The association has also recently appointed Ylva Haglund, a highly experienced campaigns and sustainability professional, as its new head of sustainability and engagement.

Her wide-ranging role at the SWA will focus on helping members share knowledge and resources to understand and overcome the challenges on the road to net zero, and in doing so create a greener, more sustainable local food and drink supply chain.

Working closely with government, stakeholder groups and colleagues at the FWD (Federation of Wholesale Distributors), Ylva will lead on the wholesale sector’s decarbonisation and net-zero strategy, incorporating Phase 2 (buildings and energy use) and Phase 3 (people and travel) of the ongoing ‘Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Industry’ project.

The August 31 webinar, titled ‘Counting Carbon, Saving Cost & Driving Efficiencies’, runs from 1pm-2pm. To register for free, go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z5JKJ3B