XPO: Spearheading Operational Excellence in Logistics

XPO has little to prove when it comes to providing innovative and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions to the European market. 

However, the organisation continues to raise the bar, as evidenced by Connect Europe, a unique solution that simplifies the management of shipments to 25 European countries – from single pallets to full loads. 

Its launch marks an important milestone in XPO’s ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence in logistics, addressing today's challenges while anticipating future needs across the region. 

Streamlined processes and a robust network

Connect Europe consolidates companies' international shipping needs using a single point of contact, reducing intermediaries and the administrative and operational complexities associated with international transport.

XPO’s ultimate goal is to make international freight shipments more accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes as they operate in an increasingly complex cross-border environment.

The firm’s pledge is that enterprises of all sizes can be assured of consistent, high-quality service thanks to streamlined processes and a robust, integrated network of more than 150 transport and distribution centres across Europe. 

"We recognise it’s imperative for companies to rethink logistics to successfully manage unprecedented volume volatility,” explains Emmanuel Arnaud, Senior Vice President Operations for Europe at XPO Logistics.

“Disruptions such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the sea freight crisis and, more recently, the need for businesses to adapt to an inflationary environment, have all accelerated the nearshoring of production chains to Europe and North Africa, while forcing the redefinition of continental supply chains.”

Prioritising sustainability

Connect Europe draws on XPO Logistics’ decades of experience in international transport.

Today it operates with more than 8,000 of its own trucks, 12,000 trailers and a distribution network that delivers in excess of 60,000 pallets on a daily basis. 

Sustainability, a key pillar of the XPO strategy, is central to the programme. The organisation offers customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by using alternative fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), biogas and electricity, which are all available as part of the XPO Low Emissions Sustainable Solution (LESS) decarbonisation initiative. 

"As we face unprecedented logistics challenges, Connect Europe is helping businesses adapt and thrive in terms of speed, traceability and sustainability,” continues Arron Kendall, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Europe at XPO Logistics.

“We’re simplifying and optimising international transport to facilitate our customers' growth objectives. With integrated resources and processes and our advanced digital platform, XPO is transforming cross-border logistics throughout Europe.”

Deploying eco-friendly vehicles

It’s not just with Connect Europe that XPO is blazing a trail in the sustainability arena. 

The business recently – and successfully – deployed HVO and electric-powered vehicles within its 4PL and transport control tower operations, which was said to be an industry first and represented a significant sustainability achievement. 

Trials were initially implemented across test routes comprising almost 3,000 miles in the UK and Ireland, resulting in an emissions reduction of more than 4,000kg of CO2. 

Expanding the uptake of emission solutions in the managed transport sector aligns with XPO’s broader decarbonisation strategy, which includes increasing its use of alternative fuels. At the same time, newer low- and zero-emission vehicles are set to enter the market.

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