The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing about $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses. The first project began at Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, operations in January 2022.

At full capacity, the two projects combined are expected to produce about 240,000 MMBtu of RNG each year – enough to provide heat for more than 5,400 homes annually.

“Each project like this contributes meaningful carbon reductions on behalf of our customers and moves us toward achieving our shared climate goals,” said David H. Anderson, NW Natural president and CEO. “We’re aggressively pursuing additional opportunities, so we can increase our use of renewables over time.”

NW Natural is working toward procuring RNG equivalent to 5 percent of its Oregon sales volume in 2024 and 6 percent in 2025 as part of the company’s voluntary targets. These investments are made possible through the landmark RNG law, Oregon Senate Bill 98, which supports renewable energy procurement and investment by natural gas utilities.

RNG is produced from the breakdown of organic materials like agricultural and forestry byproducts, food waste, wastewater or landfills. RNG can provide similar climate benefits to wind and solar, with the reliability and seasonal storage capabilities of natural gas – all while capturing, conditioning and utilizing organic material that would otherwise contribute carbon to the atmosphere.

Partners for these projects include BioCarbN, an Idaho-based developer and operator of renewable energy projects and Miron Construction Co. Inc., a Wisconsin-based design-build and construction company. These projects are made possible through pipeline interconnections with local gas distribution systems – MidAmerican Energy in Dakota City, and Black Hills Energy in Lexington.

For more information, visit tysonfoods.com or nwnatural.com.

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To kick off the partnership, the companies have launched a pilot program to autonomously ship Tyson Foods products between Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. The deliveries launched in April using Kodiak self-driving trucks and C.R. England refrigerated trailers. Safety drivers will be in the trucks in the initial stages.

Testing by Kodiak indicates that self-driving trucks provide increased safety and reliability. In an industry where there is a shortage of truck drivers, autonomous trucks can be a huge benefit.

“Tyson Foods is pursuing the leading edge of technology in all aspects of our business, especially in transportation,” said Patrick Simmons, VP of transportation at Tyson Foods.

“Autonomous trucks are just one piece of the puzzle in this innovation journey to use technology to operate more efficiently and to help ensure our transportation loads are delivered in a timely fashion.”

Through this partnership, C.R. England also joined Kodiak’s Partner Deployment Program, which helps carriers establish autonomous freight operations and integrate the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s self-driving system, into their fleet. Integrating self-driving trucks into C.R. England’s fleet will introduce a host of environmental and other benefits, including improved safety, reduced fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions.

“One of the categories where C.R. England is a leader is in perishable foods, which require the safest, most reliable, on-time delivery possible. Kodiak’s proven performance and commitment to customer success makes it a great partner to help us introduce autonomous service into our operations,” said Chad England, CEO, C.R. England.

“Working with Kodiak enables us to better understand how autonomous vehicles fit into our fleet of the future, while continuing to deliver high quality service and value to great customers like Tyson. By employing self-driving trucks, we can increase capacity and expedite deliveries without sacrificing customer service, as our valued drivers will take over to interface with customers and consignees at either end of the load. Our intent is to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for customers, whether they need their freight moved autonomously or not.”

Tyson Foods, a global leader in protein products, is a perfect use case for autonomous freight movement as the perishable food supply chain needs reliable, safe and fast deliveries, all of which are key benefits of self-driving trucks.

“C.R. England’s extensive premium service network provides the ideal scenario for the introduction of autonomous trucks,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak.

“The potential benefits of Kodiak’s technology are far-reaching – for shippers whose reputations are built on the freshness of their products, to end consumers who rely on companies like Tyson Foods to provide products they can trust. Our partnership with C.R. England will clearly demonstrate our value proposition of increasing safety, efficiency and reliability for Tyson Foods and the entire supply chain.”

For more information, visit tysonfoods.com.

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One of the first electric vehicle hubs of its kind in the world, the Riverside project is a foundational step toward Sysco’s goal to reduce its direct emissions by 27.5 percent and add 2,800 electric trucks to its U.S. fleet by 2030.

Currently, Sysco operates 11 Freightliner battery electric eCascadia tractors at its Riverside facility and expects to deploy 20 total by summer 2023. Once completed, the facility’s planned EV infrastructure will include dual port DC fast-charging stations in support of 40 electric, Class-8 vehicles and 40 electric refrigerated trailers.

To accommodate the energy demands of the fleet, the Riverside site will also feature 4 MWh of battery storage and will increase its solar power generation by an additional 1.5 MW.

“We are excited to showcase Sysco’s work to build our first Electric Vehicle Hub at our Riverside, California, site,” said Marie Robinson, chief supply chain officer. 

“This is a massive collaborative effort that has required years of planning. We’re grateful to our many partners on this journey for their vision, innovation and leadership in bringing the transportation and infrastructure technology to market to support this project.”

Sysco announced in May 2021 its intent to deploy nearly 800 battery electric Freightliner eCascadia Class 8 tractors by 2026. ConMet and ConMet eMobility are enabling the development of zero-emission commercial vehicles, providing technology for the electrification of refrigerated trailers required for Sysco to deliver food safely.

InCharge Energy and ABB E-mobility are supplying and preparing to activate 40 Terra 124 DC fast chargers. Tested for vehicle interoperability and reliability, these stations will facilitate the charging of all vehicles daily.

“As the leading fleet electrification provider, InCharge Energy and ABB E-mobility are thrilled to play such an important role in Sysco’s transition to electric transportation,” said Terry O’Day, COO and co-founder of InCharge Energy.

“Sysco’s transportation electrification program will have a sizable impact on carbon emissions. This project sets the stage for the increasing shift to electric mobility in California, especially given the EPA’s recent decision to allow California to accelerate its transition from diesel to electric trucks. We look forward to seeing what cleaner transportation will do for the beautiful Riverside community and beyond.”

Sysco’s climate goals includes a commitment to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by electrifying 35 percent of its U.S. tractor fleet and sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity for its global operations by 2030. More information can be found in Sysco’s 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

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Through the deal, Hershey will acquire Weaver’s operations in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Whitestown, Indiana.

The acquisition is designed to enable the company to sustain strong growth for its SkinnyPop brand by strengthening internal supply chain capabilities in combination with its network of strategic suppliers and co-manufacturers.

“Hershey has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, stemming from a combination of successful strategy execution and an increase in more snacking occasions among consumers,” said Kristen Riggs, president, salty snacks, The Hershey Company.

“In fact, SkinnyPop has been number one in retail sales growth for ready-to-eat popcorn over the last three years.”

As the company continues to elevate its position as a leading snacking powerhouse, these new facilities will also enable more flexibility, agility and resiliency across its growing salty snacks supply chain network. A year ago, Hershey acquired Pretzels Inc. to expand its salty snacks manufacturing capabilities.

“In response to consumer snacking trends, we continue to evolve our supply chain, making significant investments in the size, scale and capabilities of our network, improving resiliency while we continue to strengthen existing supplier relationships,” said Jason Reiman, chief supply chain officer, The Hershey Company.

“Our acquisition of Weaver’s two facilities is a perfect example of how we’re investing to bring added capacity and strength across our portfolio of brands well into the future.”

Like Hershey, Weaver has a strong manufacturing heritage, tracing its roots back nearly a century. As a family-owned and operated company, over the last 90 years, Weaver has developed into a vertically integrated business, delivering a broad array of popcorn products globally. The company now operates three independent entities, including Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.

“Participating in the growth of SkinnyPop has been a rewarding experience for our team members,” said Jason Kashman, CEO, Weaver Popcorn.

“Hershey is acquiring two best-in-class popcorn manufacturing operations that will enable continued growth in volume and quality, with teams at each location that have an unrivaled expertise.”

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and will be financed with cash on hand, as well as short-term borrowings.

To learn more about the acquisition, visit thehersheycompany.com.

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The X15N engine is supplied by Cummins and fueled by Chevron with compressed natural gas linked to renewable natural gas. The truck is making its inaugural trip from Indiana to California, with pit stops along the way to refuel at Chevron stations.

Last year, Walmart announced several first-of-their-kind initiatives among its Class 8 transportation fleet as it pursues its goal to achieve zero emissions across global operations by 2040.

“Walmart transportation is focused on the continuous piloting of solutions that aren’t just changing the industry, but are having a lasting impact on the world,” said Fernando Cortes, SVP of transportation. “We are proud to team with Cummins and Chevron to develop industry-leading advancements that pave toward a lower carbon future.”

While trucking has historically relied on diesel to fuel its engines, a move toward renewable natural gas is a step toward lowering fleet emissions. Renewable natural gas is produced when biomethane from decomposing organic matter – such as cow manure or landfill waste – is captured, treated and processed into natural gas. Methane that is not captured and processed is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat within the atmosphere leading to climate change.

“Working with partners like Walmart to test new products like the X15N gives Cummins valuable real-world data that helps us validate our engines prior to moving into full production,” said Puneet Jhawar, general manager – spark ignited products for Cummins.

“Chevron has also been very helpful in our test; to help increase CNG fuel availability that will enable adoption of alternate technologies faster.”

At the end of the road, it will be featured May 1-4 at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, California. At ACT, the vehicle will be on display and available for attendees to take a ride.

“Chevron is constantly pursuing solutions that drive progress toward a lower carbon future,” said Andy Walz, Chevron’s president of Americas Products.

“Partnering with Walmart and Cummins on the road trip and demonstration can help us deliver that progress today for the transportation, the industry, and customers who rely on all of our products to advance a lower carbon economy.”

For more information about Walmart, visit corporate.walmart.com.

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The new warehouse, located at 5200 South Freeway in Fort Worth, Texas, provides access to major highways and transportation hubs, facilitating distribution across the North Texas region.

“Providing unparalleled customer service is what distinguishes Imperial Dade from our competitors, and we are excited to bring our value-added expertise and expansive product catalog to the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” said Glenn Ziegler, Western Region president.

“By investing in the growth of our business and expanding our footprint with this new warehouse, we are able to better service existing and new customers in North Texas.”

The new Dallas/Fort Worth warehouse is the 12th Texas location for Imperial Dade, which has locations in Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lubbock, Odessa, San Antonio, Temple, Victoria and Wichita Falls.

“Imperial Dade strives to be the best supplier of specialty products in the marketplace, and growing our presence across Texas with new facilities like this one makes it possible for us to have the inventory customers need when and where they need it,” said Charles A. D’Elia Jr., chief commercial officer.

“Our customers rely on us to deliver for them wherever they do business, and investing in new locations where their business is growing demonstrates our commitment to their success.”

With more than 85 years of experience in the industry, Imperial Dade is a partner for customers across a range of end markets, including grocery and convenience stores, foodservice, hospitality, restaurants, healthcare and education.

Founded in 1935, Imperial Dade serves more than 90,000 customers across North America. Since Chairman Robert Tillis and CEO Jason Tillis assumed their roles in 2007, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions.

For additional information, visit imperialdade.com.

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Forecasting accuracy is critical to retail decision making and operational efficiency in today’s ever-changing environment. Pilot participants can opt for eight weeks of daily forecasts for up to 100 locations and 10 metrics. Results will be published to the participants within seven days after submitting their parameters and historical data.

“Now more than ever, the ability to accurately forecast demand and labor requirements is critical to retailers’ success navigating economic and market volatility, controlling labor costs and preserving service levels. We welcome you to experience the accuracy with your own data – and with complete privacy, access control and security – the power of the Logile Forecasting Platform as the most accurate and intelligent forecasting platform available today in the industry. We are excited to provide this complimentary forecasting pilot program with no obligation,” said Purna Mishra, founder and CEO.

“We are confident retailers will be intrigued and delighted when they compare our automated forecast results with their actuals and legacy forecasts. Our mission is to help retailers thrive with the best available tools, and this pilot should provide a window into what’s possible. Our enterprise forecasting solution introduces many additional features that bring even more precision to the game.”

Highlights of our platform:

• Completely integrated with weather and climatology to support seasonality and weather-bound shopping behavior;
• Full forecasting solution drills down to the SKU and UPC level with forecasting support at sub-category, category and volume group level;
• Continuous reforecasting and self-learning that improves over time translate into forecast accuracy improvements of 15-20 percent for the average business; and
• Provides additional understanding at each individual layer and what that layer contributes to the forecast, such as weather, promotion, special events, holidays or days of the week.

“I highly encourage any retailer to take advantage of Logile’s free Forecasting Pilot offering as an easy opportunity to experience the solution’s power,” said Steve Netherton, CIO, VP of continuous improvement, Vallarta Supermarkets.

“Vallarta relies on Logile Forecasting to deliver incredibly accurate forecasts and real-time reforecasting that drive optimal labor planning, scheduling, task management and customer service delivery. The solution’s AI and self-learning capabilities are top of industry.”

For more information or to sign up for the Logile Forecasting Pilot program, click here.

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The 70,121-square-foot spoke facility will work in conjunction with the Dallas fulfillment center. All orders are picked at the products’ peak freshness within the Dallas facility. Employees will assemble orders and place them in climate-controlled vehicles to travel to Austin.

Once the orders arrive, they are checked and placed on refrigerated delivery trucks that deliver to customers’ doors, ensuring cold and frozen products remain at the ideal temperature. The facility will employ about 70 employees.

Kroger was joined by the local community to open the facility and to celebrate its new employees.

“Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and we are thrilled to connect more customers to the Kroger Delivery shopping experience, which brings thousands of digital coupons, valuable fuel points and the freshest products directly to customers’ doors,” said Rebekah Manis, senior director, Kroger Delivery fulfillment centers.

“Whether they are using the Kroger app or browsing our weekly ad at Kroger’s [website], customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered by best-in-class uniformed drivers.”

Natasha Harper-Madison, District 1 city councilmember, said, “Much of District 1 is what the USDA identifies as a ‘food desert’ which is defined as an area where residents have limited options for securing affordable and healthy foods. And although this Kroger facility will serve all of Austin, it’s important to note that its location is in one of these areas.”

“I am glad to see Kroger making this investment in our community starting right here in District 1 where residents need access to healthy, fresh food.”

Customers can get more value when purchasing their favorite items using Boost by Kroger Plus, the annual grocery delivery membership that can save customers up to $1,000 per year on fuel and grocery delivery. Eligible customers can try the Boost membership with a free 30-day trial and subscribe for $7.99 a month. 

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The 300,000-square-foot facility will delivery groceries and home essentials to customers up to 90 minutes away. Kroger Delivery uses temperature-controlled vans and efficiently-optimized delivery routes to ensure fresh products are delivered to customers’ homes.

This facility expands access to fresh, affordable food and provides more than 200 new employees with opportunities to grow their careers. Customers across the region can order Kroger’s fresh produce and Our Brands products to be delivered to their homes.

“Kroger Delivery, proudly serving King Soopers and City Market, will connect more Coloradans to a convenient shopping experience,” said Rebekah Manis, senior director, Kroger Delivery Fulfillment Centers.

“Delivery customers can save with personalized digital coupons and fuel points on the products their families need, want and love. Kroger Delivery means more customers can enjoy high-quality, affordable groceries ordered through an easy-to-use online experience.”

Customers looking to save even more can register for Boost by King Soopers annual membership. For $59 or $99 per year, customers are offered unlimited free delivery on orders of $35 or more and two times fuel points for every $1 spent. 

“We’re proud to bring Ocado’s technology to Aurora, and to help launch a service that will power world-class customer experiences for Kroger Delivery shoppers in the Denver Metro Area,” said Mark Bentley, president, Americas for Ocado Solutions.

“We are now live with eight [customer fulfillment centers] around the U.S. supporting Kroger Delivery to reach customers across 14 states. As we continue to expand this network nationwide, we’re introducing a step change in online grocery experience for Kroger shoppers, powered by some of the most sophisticated technology applied to any sector of the global economy.”

Kroger operates customer fulfillment centers in Monroe, Ohio; Groveland, Florida; Forest Park, Georgia; Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Dallas, Texas; Romulus, Michigan; Frederick, Maryland; and Aurora, Colorado, with additional customer fulfillment centers slated for California; Phoenix, Arizona; Cleveland, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; as well as South Florida and the Northeast.

To read more news about Kroger from The Shelby Report, click here.

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Gatik has announced a commercial collaboration to transport customer orders within Kroger’s Dallas distribution network.

Under the collaboration, Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks will transport fresh products from a Kroger fulfillment center in Dallas, Texas, to multiple retail locations. Gatik’s autonomous trucks feature a cold chain-capable 20-foot box, designed to transport ambient, refrigerated and frozen goods.

The collaboration involves consistent, repeated delivery runs multiple times per day, seven days per week across the grocer’s Dallas distribution network. This will give Kroger increased speed and responsiveness when fulfilling e-commerce orders and reduced costs and increased capacity across the supply chain’s middle mile.

“Kroger’s commitment to redefining service levels for its customers through innovative technology meant that our collaboration came together very quickly,” said Gautam Narang, co-founder and CEO, Gatik.

“We’re deeply familiar with operating our autonomous fleet within the Dallas ecosystem, and we’re very excited to bring that experience to support Kroger in its mission to reshape the future of goods delivery.”

Gatik’s autonomous middle mile solution will help support Kroger by meeting customers’ immediate needs, providing access to goods more reliably.

“We are so excited to see Gatik trucks starting to deliver groceries throughout our Dallas division,” said Raúl Bujalil, VP of supply chain strategy and technology enablers.

“These autonomous box trucks will help us continue our commitment to creating a seamless shopping experience – where customers can access their favorite fresh foods, with zero compromise on value or convenience.”

Since launching commercial operations in 2019, Gatik has delivered half a million customer orders, using its commercial-grade autonomous technology to transport freight on the middle mile. For more information about Gatik and its services, visit gatik.ai/about.

To read more news about Kroger brought to you by The Shelby Report, click here.

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