In procuring materials and parts, and supplying finished products and components, Mazda collaborates with distributors, dealerships and other automakers to minimize the environmental impact of distribution by lowering CO2 emissions and reducing packaging and wrapping materials.
To Reduce CO2 Emissions and Use of Packaging and Wrapping Materials
Mazda's total domestic transportation volume for FY2006 amounted to 494 million ton-kilograms*1. This figure includes procurement of materials and parts, as well as supply of finished vehicles and customer service (CS) parts*2. Overseas transportation figures also include exports of knockdown (KD) parts*3.
To decrease the environmental impact of transporting this variety of freight, Mazda sets goals for reducing CO2 emissions and the use of packaging and wrapping materials and advances improvement activities to attain these goals.
*1 Calculated by multiplying the volume of transported freight in tons by the distance transported in kilometers.
*2 Replacement parts for repairs after customers have purchased a vehicle.
*3 Parts for knockdown production, wherein products are shipped to overseas plants in pieces and assembled there.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Distribution within the Company Premises
Mazda has shifted from using engine-powered forklift trucks to electrically operated, low-CO2 versions for transportation within its Hiroshima and Hofu Plants. We are also working to save energy by reducing fragmented transportation through a switchover from forklift trucks to electrically powered tow vehicles and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). As of March 31, 2007, electrically operated forklift trucks accounted for 26% of vehicles for distribution within the Company premises, and total use of electrically-powered vehicles - including electrically -powered tow vehicles and AGVs - stood at 64%.
Mazda is also improving the packing efficiency of individual transport containers for parts. In FY2006, we increased packing efficiency for pressed parts for car bodies by approximately 20%, thereby reducing forklift transport runs, saving 170 kilograms of liquefied petroleum gas per month. We will reduce energy usage through careful management of parts delivery scheduling to minimize empty runs of forklift trucks and electrically powered tow vehicles.
- Distribution Routes by Product
FY2006 CO2 Emission Reduction Goals Achieved
In the Mazda Green Plan 2010, we set a goal for FY2010 to achieve CO2 emissions 15% less than in FY1999.
In FY2006, Mazda pursued activities under the themes below, aiming for a 14% emission reduction compared with FY1999. As a result, total emissions declined 2,478 tons, to 91,144 tons compared with the preceding fiscal year. The cumulative reduction amount since FY1999 was 16,414 tons - a 14.4% reduction, surpassing our goal.
- Main Themes and FY2006 Reduction
- Cumulative CO2 Emission Reduction Results
Improving Load efficiency for Truck Runs, Rail and Ship Containers
In FY2003, Mazda implemented the "milk-run" system for truck runs procuring production parts. This shipping method can enhance single-truck load efficiency by having each truck collect freight from several suppliers during the same run. After adopting this method in Kyushu, the area around Hiroshima Prefecture, and Yamaguchi Prefecture, we expanded it to Okayama Prefecture and the Tokai region in FY2006. Furthermore, we also increased load efficiency for containers for rail and sea transport by rethinking packaging styles for freight.
As a result of these activities, CO2 emissions were reduced by 1,037 tons from the previous fiscal year.
Rearranging Routes for Container Ships and Reducing Truck Runs
In FY2006, container ships that had previously only called at the Port of Hiroshima also landed at the Port of Hofu. This change allowed KD parts produced at Mazda's Hofu Plant to be loaded from the Port of Hofu, cutting down on truck runs between Hofu and Hiroshima and lowering CO2 emissions by 526 tons.
Advancing Modal Shifts (Switching over to Sea and Rail Shipping) and Cooperative Transportation
Delivery by ship from a dock neighboring the plant.
Mazda has long promoted the switchover to sea-based shipping, given that its plants are located on the coast. We currently ship 90% of finished vehicles for the domestic market by sea. We are also cooperating with other automotive manufacturers on sea transportation. Mazda has long used rail containers to ship CS parts to Sendai and Sapporo. Later, we shifted from truck runs to rail containers for shipments to Chiba and Nagoya, and we currently use railways to ship 22% of domestic CS parts by volume.
In FY2006, modal shifts and cooperative transportation reduced CO2 emissions by 234 tons and 681 tons, respectively, over the prior fiscal year.
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