Craft Focus - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 77)

12 DPD UK wins Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice Domestic parcel carrier DPD UK was named ‘Gold winner’ in the Service Industries category, with judges hailing the company’s achievements in reducing CO2 emissions and its innovative all-electric micro depots in central London. The awards, founded by The Green Organisation to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world, have been running since 1994 and attract entries from Governments, Ministries and regional authorities as well as companies and organisations right across the private and public sectors. The award is recognition for DPD UK’s efforts to become the most responsible city centre delivery company and the leader in electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK. In October last year, DPD opened the UK’s first all-electric parcel depot in Westminster and plans to have a fleet of 500 electric vehicles by the end of 2020. The firm has also partnered with Oxford-based manufacturer EAV to create a British built e-cargo bike, the P1. The bio-mechanical hybrid electric-assisted pedal bikes have a range of 60 miles and with a 120kg payload can cover 100 parcel stops in a day and then be recharged using a normal 13amp, 240v plug socket. Last month, DPD UK issued a White Paper calling on vehicle manufacturers, energy providers, national and local Government to start working together to tackle the barriers holding back more widespread EV adoption and investment. “We’re absolutely delighted with this award. We’ve made a huge commitment as a company to investigate, develop and invest in our own sustainable future. But part of that project is also about leading by example and that means sharing what we’ve learned and showing that there are better ways to deliver parcels and run logistics,” says Dwain McDonald, DPD UK’s CEO. “We can’t do everything overnight and we can’t do it all on our own. We’ve shared our frustrations as well as our successes, but we are passionate about this challenge and we know we can make a huge difference. Hopefully, we’ve shown through our all-electric micro depots that it isn’t just about switching to EVs, it’s about designing totally different business models and processes.” Fabric buyers head to Munich More than 1,000 international suppliers of fabric, additionals, denim, prints and sourcing solutions will be gathering in Munich this month for the latest edition of Munich Fabric Start. The event takes place from 4 th -6 th February, when exhibitors will present their latest collections for spring/summer 2021. The show’s theme will be Thriveability, inviting the industry to progress to a higher level of quality, shaping the future with enthusiasm and confidence. This year’s show will see the introduction of an icon guidance system, with highlights presented in the fair’s trend forums. The initiative will help visitors identify which additional features and functions each fabric contains. There’s also an exclusive seminar by Li Edelkoort, who will introduce the fashion forecast for spring/summer 2021, delving into the colours and trends that will dominate the industry over the coming 12 months. Another highlight is the show’s expert panel, which will look at the future of the textile value chain. Visitors can watch internationally renowned speakers debating on this topic. Around 100 denim manufacturers will present their latest products in the show’s Bluezone area, including Candiani S.p.A., Tejidos Royo, Orta Anadolu, Bossa Denim, Calik Denim, KT Trims and Accessories, Turteks Tekstil, Europe SNC, Fashion Point, Baykanlar Tekstil, Velcorex, Prosperity, Dr. Bock Industries, MFC 1979, Dorlet, Stylers, Lavasser, Lycra and P.G. Denim and others. Standout features will include Rajby’s innovative Denim Cradle to Cradle project. In the Keyhouse sector, future fabrics, new technologies, smart products, sustainable innovations and alternative resources will feature prominently, offering visitors a chance to see what’s coming up for the industry. Exhibitors will include Recover, Lectra, Clo3D, Cocccon, Lenzing, Soorty, ISKO, Remei, Varvaressos, Citeve, Pauline van Dongen and Care Applications. Find out more at munichfabricstart.com