Particulate traps in Faversham
Local supply chain management company Gist is doing its bit to improve local air quality in Faversham by reducing emissions from its heavy goods vehicles. Gist, which distributes Marks & Spencer’s food from its depot on Oare Road, has fitted particulate traps to a third of its Faversham fleet.
These traps, which are fitted to the vehicle’s exhaust, use a fine mesh to filter the vehicle’s emissions. They greatly reduce the amount of particulate matter (or PM10) – the tiny particles produced by petrol and diesel vehicles that cause smog – and oxides of nitrogen (or NOx), emitted by a vehicle. Both of these emissions cause poor air quality and have been linked to the current high rates of asthma in both adults and children.
William Jamieson, general manager of Gist’s Faversham depot, comments: “This is a busy depot, there are 60 vehicles based here, and we recognise that heavy goods vehicles do have an effect on local air quality. There are several schools, including Ospringe Primary School and the Abbey School, on the main routes in and out of the depot and, with the number of children suffering from asthma across the country on the rise, we decided to look into how we could reduce the emissions from our vehicles.
“We take our commitment to the environment very seriously and by fitting particulate traps to our vehicles we are making our fleet as clean as possible. The knock on effect is that we are also helping to improve air quality in the area.”
Gist plans to fit more vehicles with particulate traps, both in Faversham and at other depots across the country, as older vehicles are replaced. To reduce the cost of fitting the traps, Gist was awarded a grant of 75 per cent of the cost by the Energy Saving Trust meaning that the cost to Gist was just £800 per vehicle.
- ends -
Notes to editors
Gist combines leading edge experience and expertise to transform supply chains through intelligent application of innovative leading edge technology, unique solutions tailored to customers’ strategies, managing change and embracing and enhancing the supply chain proposition. With industry specific experience, expertise and excellence, Gist’s solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
Gist, based in the United Kingdom, has its head office at Basingstoke in Hampshire. However, Gist’s 4,500 employees operate out of 28 locations, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business offering in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America.
Gist’s customers (including Ocado, Marks & Spencer, British Airways, Carlsberg UK and Budgens) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery, electronics, apparel and gas.
As part of the BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, Gist also benefits from BOC’s global capability, synergy and scale.
To find out more about Gist, for photography or to arrange an interview with the Gist team please contact the Gist press office:
For more press information, contact:
Michele Mervin
Tel: 01256 891111
Fax: 01256 891122
Email: michele.mervin@gistworld.com
