Sept. 4, 2008 - Belgian food conglomerate Delhaize, operator of grocery chains in seven countries, is finding innovative ways to maximize efficiencies across its distribution networks, according to the company's first-ever corporate sustainability report.

The company reports that it has been able to identify efficiency solutions that respond to the unique needs of each of its local markets around the world.

In Belgium, improved route planning has helped Delhaize reduce the total length of its deliveries of fresh products by 2 million kilometers a year – equivalent to driving 50 times round the world, the company estimates.

Greek subsidiary Alpha Beta has built a gas station at its distribution center to eliminate costly fueling trips. The company has also introduced multi-temperature trucks to cut the number of journeys to each store.

In the U.S., Delhaize's Hannaford grocery chain has slashed its consumption of diesel fuel by more than 115,000 gallons a year through a variety of initiatives under the EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership. Strategies include introducing tandem trailers, switching some deliveries to rail, and training truck drivers about weight distribution and linking their bonuses to fuel-efficiency gains.

In addition to greening its transport, Hannaford has also announced plans to build the world's first LEED platinum-certified grocery store in Augusta, Maine, next year.

Other companies are also finding huge savings by maximizing drivers' efficiency. UPS is using telematics to monitor drivers' idle times, and Union Pacific Railroad is training its drivers to use as little diesel as possible on trips.

To download Delhaize's full sustainability report, click here (PDF).