Environment

Fiscal 2008 Targets and Results (CO₂ Emissions during distribution)

Achievement of reduction targets through the efforts of many sites within the Group around the world

In response to the fiscal 2008 target of reducing CO₂ emissions in its distribution activities to 34,000 tons, Konica Minolta was able to reduce CO₂ emissions in this area to 31,000 tons.
As a part of its supply chain management (SCM)* initiatives, Konica Minolta decided to reduce the use of aircraft, which emit a relatively large amount of CO₂, and promote ships and railways for its transportation needs. The Group is reducing CO₂ emissions in its distribution processes by proactively restructuring its distribution bases around the world and increasing efficiency of logistics.

*

Supply chain management (SCM) is a concept for the optimal management of supply chains, i.e., the processes—for example, procurement, production, distribution and sales–through which products and services are provided to customers.

Efforts in Distribution and Sales to Reduce CO₂ Emissions

Konica Minolta aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from its distribution activities needed for each process ranging from procurement to production and sales.

Promoting a Modal Shift

Konica Minolta has been promoting a modal shift for the long-distance transportation of products and parts, switching from aircraft and trucks to ships, railways and other means that emit less CO₂. When transporting its business information products internationally, the company normally uses marine transportation, but on occasion air transportation was necessary. Through efforts to increase demand forecasting accuracy and to review inventory management systems, Konica Minolta aims to reduce the frequency of air transportation use and reduce inventories.

Improving Distribution Routes and Systems

Konica Minolta is reducing CO₂ emissions from its distribution processes by proactively restructuring its logistics facilities around the world. In June 2008, for example, the company consolidated two logistics centers for business information products, one in Germany and the other in the Netherlands, at a new location in Emmerich, Germany, to serve all of Europe. Through such restructurings, the company aims to shorten the overall transport distance in its logistics operations Group-wide, while expanding the scope of direct customer delivery areas.

Milk Run Logistics (Round collection of cargos)

The term "milk run" originally came from the milk collecting system of dairy producers who visited dairy farms to collect milk in a single vehicle. In the manufacturing industry, it refers to a collection method in which a single vehicle is used to make rounds picking up goods from various supplier instead of requesting each supplier to deliver goods individually.
Konica Minolta is using the milk run logistics in Wuxi City in Jiangsu, China. It contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions by shortening the total driving mileage of the trucks.
In addition, the Group is also reducing waste by using re-usable boxes instead of cartons to transport the parts.

Container Round Use

Container Round Use is a concept in which the devanned container is used for export without returning it to the shipping company. Since the container belongs to the shipping company, it works only among the same shipping company's containers. By omitting the process of returning the devanned empty container and getting the new empty container for vanning, the Container Round Use concept contributes to both reducing CO₂ emissions and saving transportation cost.
Konica Minolta Logistics Co., Ltd. is implementing the Container Round Use system in the most effective manner by managing and controlling the shipping schedule with shipping companies and handling the containers that belong to the same shipping companies with minimum loss.
Konica Minolta Logistics is also arranging a joint delivery combining the main body of products, parts for production/after service and sub-assembled units for both overseas' manufacturing and sales subsidiaries that were previously transported individually which is also contributing to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Introducing Eco Cars and Promoting Eco Driving

At its sales offices around the world, Konica Minolta uses eco cars that emit relatively low amounts of CO₂ and atmospheric pollutants while promoting eco driving to lessen energy consumption. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Japan Co., Ltd., an office equipment sales company, has introduced electric cars for a portion of its service fleet used by engineers to visit customer locations for product maintenance. In October 2007, the company began replacing its motorcycles with electric-assisted bicycles, introducing 27 such bicycles at the beginning of fiscal 2009.

Electric-powered vehicles