Martin Brower, a leading supply chain solutions provider for global restaurant chains, is enhancing its fleet with 10 additional VNR Electric vehicles from Volvo Trucks North America. These electric trucks will support food and beverage deliveries to select McDonald’s restaurants in the Greater Montreal and Toronto areas. This move represents a significant step towards sustainable transportation solutions.
As a key distributor for McDonald’s, Martin Brower has collaborated with the restaurant chain to reduce its carbon footprint by incorporating alternative-fuel vehicles. This expansion builds on a successful trial of the first zero-tailpipe emission truck deployed in 2022 at Martin Brower’s Baie d’Urfé distribution centre. This truck has been serving McDonald’s restaurants in the Montreal area.
Matthew Blackman, VTNA’s managing director for Canada, highlighted the significance of this initiative. “It’s exciting to see a powerhouse brand like McDonald’s working with their partners to help decarbonize the transportation of goods. It’s a testament to the performance and reliability of the Volvo VNR Electric that these global leaders are choosing to scale their trial of battery-electric vehicles where feasible,” he said.
Initial Trials And Expansion
The first Class 8 VNR Electric truck was part of a trial to assess its ability to handle routine routes and large product loads. Following the success of this trial, McDonald’s Canada and Martin Brower have decided to deploy 10 more Volvo VNR Electric vehicles. Seven of these vehicles will operate in the Greater Toronto area, while the remaining three will be based at the Montreal distribution centre in Baie-D’Urfé.
Hope Bentley, head of supply chain for McDonald’s Canada, expressed satisfaction with the expansion. “After two years with the battery-electric Volvo VNR tractor on the road, we are pleased to see more electric vehicles added to the fleet serving McDonald’s restaurants in the trial areas. We work toward our global pledge to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Even though customers won’t notice any difference in their favorite order, McDonald’s is taking action behind the scenes to help make an impact in the communities we serve,” she said.
Long-Term Partnership And Environmental Goals
Martin Brower has been a service provider for McDonald’s since 1956, delivering products to the first restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. Both companies have set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. McDonald’s aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions globally by 2050, while Martin Brower targets a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Julie Dell’Aniello, president of Martin Brower Canada, emphasized the alignment of goals between the two companies. “McDonald’s has been a like-minded collaborator for many decades with aligned goals. Together, our companies share similar commitments to test alternative-fuel vehicles,” she said.
Technical Collaboration And Future Prospects
Martin Brower worked with Vision Truck Group, a local Volvo Trucks certified electric vehicle dealer, to determine the optimal truck configuration based on route and application data from the Montreal trial. The electric performance generator (EPG) tool was utilized to identify the preferred VNR Electric configurations for Martin Brower, taking into consideration route specifics, traffic patterns, and environmental factors such as terrain and temperature.
The electric vehicles based at the Baie d’Urfé distribution centre will be serviced by Camions Volvo Montreal, which assisted Martin Brower with its first 6×4-configuration VNR Electric tractor during the initial trial.
The expansion of Martin Brower’s electric fleet marks a significant milestone in the shift towards sustainable transportation. By collaborating with McDonald’s and leveraging advanced electric vehicle technology, Martin Brower aims to reduce its carbon footprint and support the global effort to achieve net-zero emissions. This initiative not only underscores the commitment of both companies to environmental sustainability but also sets a precedent for other supply chain providers and restaurant chains to follow.