NFI Wins EPA SmartWay Environmental Excellence Award

NFI received an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities. NFI adopted a number of fuel-saving strategies for their fleet such as Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), automatic tire inflation systems, diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters. These strategies, combined with voluntarily reducing the fleet speed, significantly decreased diesel fuel consumption and the fuel savings exceeded all expectations.

“Our partnership with SmartWay Transport shows companies can lower their fuel use, save money and help the environment,” said Joe Monteleone, Chief Operating Officer OTR. “The partnership provides us with the tools and information necessary for improvement in our efficiency and environmental performance. We urge all of our colleagues in the freight industry to consider joining SmartWay.”

NFI was one of 27 companies and organizations, from among the Partnerships’ more than 1000 Partners, to receive this distinction. The awards were announced today at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Denver, Colorado.

"EPA is pleased to recognize these SmartWay Partners with a 2008 Excellence Award. I commend NFI for its leadership in promoting sustainable transportation practices through the SmartWay Transport Partnership", said Margo T. Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA. "Their commitment is helping lead us toward a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply."

SmartWay was introduced by EPA and a select group of fifteen shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutants from the freight sector. Today, more than 1000 businesses and organizations have joined the Partnership, including companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses, each working to improve their environmental performance. Together, through the SmartWay Partnership, these companies, including NFI are conserving almost 600 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, saving the trucking industry at least $2.5 billion in annual fuel and maintenance costs, and eliminating an estimated 6.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. By 2012, the SmartWay program, with full industry participation, estimates nationwide that it will achieve annual fuel savings of 3.3 to 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel, eliminating 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions.

For more information about SmartWay visit: www.epa.gov/smartway or call (734) 214-4767.

For more information about the SmartWay Award recipients, visit: www.epa.gov/smartway/awards07.htm

NFI offers a variety of services to help businesses manage, grow and succeed in today’s logistics marketplace It is a fully integrated supply chain solutions provider offering logistics, distribution, transportation, intermodal and real estate services across the U.S. Headquartered in Vineland, NJ, the company owns nearly 60 trucking and maintenance facilities nationwide and globally, with over 10,000 tractors & trailers encompassing OTR and dedicated fleets. Privately held by one family since its inception in 1932, NFI employs over 5000 individuals, operates over 15 million square feet of contract and public warehouse and distribution space, and generates $800 million in revenue annually. NFI is a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, which is dedicated to increasing energy efficiency and reducing the impact of the freight industry upon the environment. NFI is a one-stop resource for integrated supply chain solutions. For more information visit: www.NFIindustries.com.