The first Canadian printer to go carbon neutral has now added to its “green” program by committing to making local deliveries via an all-electric trucking service. Hemlock Printers in Burnaby, BC is the first customer of Novex Couriers’ 100 percent electric-powered delivery service.
The trucks, manufactured by Smith Electric, are the first of their kind in Canada and will be used by Hemlock for daily freight and courier deliveries primarily in Burnaby, Vancouver and Richmond. Novex is a BC-owned and operated company that has been serving the lower mainland for over 30 years.
"We are excited to participate in this initiative with our clients being among the first in Canada to receive emission-free deliveries. It’s another significant step for us as we look to green all aspects of our operation," said Richard Kouwenhoven, Hemlock VP Client Services, in a company release.
Smith Electric Vehicles, owned by UK-based Tanfield, has been making electric commercial vehicles in Europe since the 1920s. The American division, Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp. is based in Kansas City, MO.
One of Canada’s top printers, with annual sales exceeding $30 million and multiple national and international print quality awards, Hemlock has also been recognized for its environmental leadership—including the introduction of Zero, its Carbon Neutral printing program launched in November last year.
Hemlock’s shift to low emission couriers is part of its commitment to reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions 33 percent by 2020.
The company also notes that each electric truck in service will save approximately 29 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to taking six cars off the road.
