Keighley logistics firm invests £250,000 in green technology

A LOGISTICS company has invested more than £250,000 in green technology.

Keighley-based Joda Freight has introduced solar panels and electric forklift trucks as part of its wider strategy to cut emissions and improve environmental performance.

The panels have been installed across half of the firm's warehouse roof, with plans to expand coverage and add battery storage in a second phase of work.

Kieron Talbot-Sykes, operations director at Joda Freight, said: "As a company whose services rely on transport operations, we cannot fully eliminate diesel trucks, so our focus is on practical changes and efficiency improvements to reduce emissions wherever possible.

"The solar panels generated more power than we used on their first day in situ, so we are confident that the project will significantly reduce our emissions."

The company has already replaced diesel forklifts with electric models at three of its four sites.

This forms part of a broader plan to generate and store enough solar energy to power its entire fleet of electric forklifts each day.

Mr Talbot-Sykes said: "Our customers, which include major supermarkets and high street brands, are increasingly requesting green solutions and that has encouraged us to trial and invest in sustainable solutions, including forklift trucks and electric vehicles.

"We also use a sophisticated transport management system that generates reports for individual customers detailing their logistics carbon footprint, using accurate data rather than estimates.

"All of these measures are enabling us to grow as a business by offering the best and most sustainable service for our customers.

"That's enabled us to achieve the strongest four months in the history of the company and we're expecting to see that growth continue for the remainder of the year."

Founded 40 years ago, Joda Freight is a founding shareholder member of the Pallet-Track network and delivers across the Leeds area.

The company plans to purchase two rigid electric vehicles later in the year to support rising demand in pallet deliveries.

Stuart Godman, chief executive of Pallet-Track, said: "Joda Freight is a very well-respected shareholder member of Pallet-Track and in addition to future-proofing their operations, their commitment to investing in green technology will benefit our entire pallet network which we thank them for."