Weis Joins Feds’ Transport Partnership

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

Weis Markets currently operates and maintains 131 tractors and 420 trailers, which supply the company’s stores from its 1.1 million square-foot distribution center in Milton, Pa. In recent years, the company 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.

“In recent years, we’ve made considerable progress reducing our fuel consumption and improving the overall efficiency of our truck fleet,” said Joe Kleman, Weis Markets’ VP of 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.”

EPA – in cooperation with industry stakeholders, environmental groups, American Trucking Associations and 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 partners.

Since 2004, SmartWay has helped its 3,000 partners conserve 1.5 billion gallons of fuel while achieving $3.6 billion in lower fuel costs.

Founded in 1912, Weis Markets Inc. operates 161 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.