Hemant Joshi has been called ‘invaluable’ by the company
Springfield Solutions managing director Matt Dass, far right, with colleagues Rachael Bradley (far left) and Dave Medcalf (second from right), and University of Hull graduate Hemant Joshi.(Image: R&R Studio)
A University of Hull graduate has helped a packaging and printing company to drive ahead with a green transport project. Hull-based digital printing and reprographics specialist Springfield Solutions launched a project to cut its costs as well as carbon.
And to bring it to fruition, the business – part of the Oh Yes! Net Zero movement – tapped into the expertise of University of Hull graduate Hemant Joshi, as it looks to reduce the environmental impact of delivering its products. Hemant, who recently completed his Master’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at University of Hull, completed a review as part of his studies which compared the cost, and carbon footprint, of Springfield Solutions’ in-house vehicle fleet with using external couriers.
It formed the pilot of a project involving Oh Yes! and the University of Hull’s Business School. Students like Hemant will work with Oh Yes! members on a particular area of the business, with a clear focus on sustainability and carbon reduction.
Oh Yes! Net Zero is an ambitious movement with more than 170 active member businesses, striving for positive change to establish Hull and the Humber as a net zero transition leader.
Matt Dass, managing director of Springfield Solutions, said: “We’ve been a member of Oh Yes! since the campaign’s launch, and when we heard about this opportunity, we jumped at the chance. We’d already identified our vehicle fleet as a target area to become more sustainable – that brings with it both cost and carbon saving benefits for the business.
“What we were struggling with was having the data, the visibility and the resource to develop that strategy. Having Hemant embed himself into the business over recent months has been invaluable. He’s brought expertise, insight and enthusiasm, and the report he’s provided will enable effective decision-making on our transport solutions.”
Springfield Solutions currently operates a hybrid logistics model to deliver its printed self-adhesive labels and products, combining in-house vans with outsourced couriers. Hermant’s study focused on seven postcode delivery areas, where Springfield delivers new printed self-adhesive labels and collects empty grey bins to be reused, and it totted up the carbon emissions produced by Springfield’s in-house van fleet as well as external couriers.
As a result, Hemant’s study recommended maintaining and expanding Springfield’s in-house fleet, and exploring the future electrification of its vans.
Hemant, who recently founded his own consultancy company Serelith, said: “To have the opportunity to apply my learnings in a real-world business environment will be so beneficial in my future career. Springfield Solutions has already made some brilliant progress to adopt more sustainable ways of working, and reduce its environmental impact.
“I hope my study can help shape the next important stage of the company’s journey – improving the efficiency of its logistics operations and deliveries.”
After the successful trial, it is expected more Oh Yes! members will engage with the programme and benefit from the expertise of University of Hull students.
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