Sainsbury’s have announced that they are to fit this year’s supply of 343 new trucks with the Impregnable. The decision was due to the product’s ability to prevent diesel spills, a hazard which has environmental repercussions.
Sainsbury’s say they are placing emphasis on their corporate responsibility policy. One of their five corporate values is “respect for the environment’. As part of the environmental focus, in addition to opening a new ‘green’ depot in Northampton, heavy emphasis is placed on environmental improvements related to transport.
Sainsbury’s Logistics Engineering Manager, Gary King, said: ‘Sainsbury’s always endeavours to show respect for the environment, and it is imperative that we support this by investigating any viable method for respecting the environment. Diesel is an extremely hazardous substance and failure to manage it effectively can potentially cause damage to our environment. With a fleet of 1,000 trucks continually refuelling every day, the potential for diesel spills occurring is huge. It was therefore an easy decision to continue fitting the TISS ‘Impregnable’.
Morag Robertson, Sainsbury’s Environmental Manager added: “not only does diesel have a negative impact if spilt but also it results in excessive diesel use with all is associated CO2 impacts. Sainsbury’s is committed to reduce its fuel use, and as part of this unnecessary leaks and spills contributes to this objective.”
The anti-siphon prevents diesel spills due to its patented float-valve. This allows fuel to flow into the tank but locks off, once the tank is full, making it impossible to overfill the tank. In addition to preventing spills occurring during refuelling, the float-valve also means spills cannot occur when a truck is being driven or even if a cap is misplaced.
TISS’ Managing Director, Ryan Wholey, said: ‘we are obviously pleased that we are continuing to supply Sainsbury’s with our product. However I am even more delighted by the fact that our anti-siphon devices can have such a positive impact on Sainsbury’s’ highly laudable approach towards the environment’.
Sainsbury’s’ desire to prevent diesel spills was first evident in 2006 when they were the recipients of the British Motorcycle Federation’s (BMF) ‘Kill Spills’ award after initially fitting their entire fleet with the TISS ‘Impregnable’ anti-siphon.
Gary King said: ‘Although we have fitted the TISS ‘Impregnable’ for the primary reason that they stop diesel spills, the fact that they are the most effective anti-siphon devices at preventing siphoning is also of huge benefit to the company.’
