Weis Markets joins SmartWay Transport Partnership

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Monday announced it has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that will help the grocer assess the environmental impact and energy efficiency of the trucks supplying its 161 stores.

"In recent years, we’ve made considerable progress reducing our fuel consumption and improving the overall efficiency of our truck fleet," stated Joe Kleman, Weis VP distribution. "The Smartway program will enhance our efforts and offer us insights on emerging programs and technologies that will help us build on our progress. Ultimately, we believe this will help us reduce our carbon footprint, conserve fuel and reduce our costs — it’s good for the environment and helpful to our business."

Weis Markets currently operates and maintains 131 tractors and 420 trailers, which supply the company’s stores from its 1.1-million-sq.-ft. distribution center in Milton, Pa. In recent years, it has incorporated a number of conservation measures and technologies into its fleet management and operations, including fuel conservation and right-size load programs; routing software designed to reduce overall mileage and idling times; aerodynamic side skirts on new trailers that are designed to improve fuel efficiency; and fuel-efficient tires. 

The EPA — in close cooperation with industry stakeholders, environmental groups and the American Trucking Associations and the Business for Social Responsibility — helped develop and launch the SmartWay Transport Program in 2004. Partners rely upon SmartWay tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from goods movement. The partnership currently has more than 3,000 members.

Since 2004, SmartWay has helped those members conserve 1.5 billion gallons of fuel while achieving $3.6 billion in lower fuel costs.