Leading foodservice wholesaler, Woods Foodservice, is making remarkable progress in sustainability by implementing impactful initiatives across its business.
With a goal to become the UK’s most sustainable foodservice provider and a Net Zero contributor by 2030, sustainability remains at the core of everything they do.
Woods is kicking off the year with a major leap by replacing a third of its delivery fleet with electric vehicles. These innovative vans are custom-built with recyclable materials, solar panels, and the capacity to reduce carbon emissions by up to two tonnes per vehicle annually. As the first of their kind in the UK foodservice sector, these bespoke electric vans set a new standard for environmentally conscious logistics.
Darren Labbett, managing director, said: “We’re incredibly excited to get the new fleet on the road. Sustainability is not just important to our customers; it is at the heart of everything we do. With ambitions to be a Net Zero Contributor by 2030, this is another major step in the right direction.”
In addition to the electric vans, Woods is introducing five brand-new 7.5-tonne lorries. These lorries, the first in the company’s history, have been designed to handle larger deliveries, including fresh, ambient, chilled, and frozen goods, thanks to separate temperature-controlled compartments. Woods has also introduced fully electric forklifts which are now operational across all depots, and the company exclusively uses electric cars for its corporate cars.
This latest initiative follows a series of eco-friendly measures implemented by Woods Foodservice in the last year including transitioning to washable and reusable crates for fresh produce deliveries, which has cut packaging waste by up to 40%.
Woods places a strong emphasis on sourcing products locally whenever possible, partnering with suppliers who demonstrate clear environmental strategies and transparent business practices. Committed to maintaining an ethical supply chain, Woods adheres to the CIPS ethical code of conduct, ensuring integrity and sustainability are embedded in every step of their operations. This is a crucial step on their journey to becoming a Certified B Corporation, which emphasises a holistic approach rather than focusing solely on a single social or environmental issue.
Furthermore, Woods have plans in place to eliminate products linked to deforestation, use only RSPO-certified palm oil, source sugar sachets sustainably, and avoid stocking genetically modified ingredients. They have decided to expand their vegan product lines by 20%, aiming to replace animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives.
With an overarching goal of reducing their carbon emissions by 5% annually, educating employees on reducing their carbon footprint is essential for progress. They aim to achieve this by implementing initiatives such as a cycle-to-work scheme and promoting "Meat-Free Mondays" to reduce meat consumption.
Woods has also made a significant investment in technology to boost automation and efficiency, resulting in a 50% reduction in paper usage. This involves launching a brand-new website and app, partnering with Cerve to automate their entire order-taking process, and developing a marketplace feature that will enable customers to rely on them as a comprehensive one-stop-shop supplier.
