RICHMOND, Virginia – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Owens & Minor today announced a new pilot program using an electric tractor-trailer to deliver large-scale medical products and PPE to hospitals in Southern California. The seven-month pilot program started in the second quarter in cooperation with Penske Logistics and Penske Truck Leasing. As part of the pilot project, Owens & Minor used the heavy battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia from Daimler Trucks North America. The initiative builds on Owens & Minor’s continued commitment to making all operations more sustainable, as outlined in its recently published 2020 Environmental and Social Governance Report.
“Every day, Owens & Minor’s core mission is empowering our customers to move healthcare forward. As we do so, we remain focused on protecting and supporting the communities where people live and work, ”said Jeff Jochims, executive vice president, chief operating officer and president, medical distribution, Owens & Minor. “We believe that sustainability continues to be the foundation of our mission. By launching this pilot program of electric vehicles for large-scale delivery to hospitals, we are pushing the limits of what can be done to support healthcare while contributing to a safer and healthier environment. ”
The electric Freightliner eCascadia travels a total of 252 miles five days a week and stops at five hospital locations across Southern California.
“It was an easy decision to start this pilot with our long-time partner Owens & Minor because we understand the critical role medical distribution plays in our country’s healthcare supply chain,” said Marc Althen, President of Penske Logistics. “The integration into Owens & Minor’s fleet operations was seamless. We are excited to expand our track record of safety, training and positive driving experience with this new electric vehicle technology. ”
In 2018, Penske Truck Leasing and Daimler Trucks North America announced a partnership to test commercial electric trucks of their Freightliner brand in real-life situations and drive future technology improvements. The project is supported by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), whose $ 16.8 million grant helped fund the program. South Coast AQMD is focused on improving air quality in much of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, including the Coachella Valley.
About Owens & Minor
Owens & Minor, Inc. (NYSE: OMI) is a global healthcare solutions company that encompasses product manufacturing, sales support and innovative technology services to deliver significant and sustained value across the industry – from acute care to home patients. In line with its mission to empower our customers to advance Healthcare ™, more than 15,000 global teammates serve over 4,000 customers in the healthcare industry. A vertically integrated, mostly American-based presence enables Owens & Minor to reliably supply its self-made surgical and PPE products. This seamless value chain can be integrated into a product portfolio that represents 1,200 branded suppliers. Operating continuously from its headquarters in Richmond, Virginia since 1882, Owens & Minor has grown into a FORTUNE 500 company with offices in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. For more information about Owens & Minor, visit owens-minor.com, follow @Owens_Minor on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/owens-&-minor.
About Penske Logistics
Penske Logistics is a Penske Transportation Solutions company with offices in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Penske Logistics provides supply chain management and logistics services to leading companies around the world. Penske Logistics delivers value through design, planning and execution in the areas of transportation, warehousing and freight management. Visit www.penskelogistics.com to learn more.
source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/owens-minor-pursues-sustainable-solutions-for-healthcare-through-electric-truck-pilot/
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