Saint-Gobain Celebrates Excellence & Sustainable Logistics
Saint-Gobain marked a significant milestone with its 10th annual Driver of the Year awards in partnership with XPO Logistics. Over 100 colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders gathered at Castle Donington to honour drivers across Saint-Gobain's brands, including British Gypsum, Isover, Weber, PAM and Pasquill.
This year's awards saw a shortlist of 21 exceptional drivers put their skills to the test through a series of practical challenges, including tight manoeuvring, reversing, figure-of-eight driving and handling scenarios involving vulnerable road users.
A decade of celebrating driving excellence
Since its inception a decade ago, the Saint-Gobain Driver of the Year award has aimed to recognise and reward the most skilled, professional and sustainable drivers within the company's extensive fleet. Drivers who opt to participate are monitored throughout the year using telematics, with these insights combined with on-the-day performance in practical challenges to determine the winners.
Multiple awards were presented, including "Team of the Year" and "Most Improved Driver," with the prestigious "Best Driver" accolade this year going to Matt Pearson from British Gypsum, Sherburn.
Focusing on sustainability
Sustainability was at the forefront of this year's awards as Saint-Gobain continues its mission to reduce the environmental impact of its transport activities. Richard Hobson from Isover, Runcorn, received the accolade "Most Sustainable Driver" for his efforts in minimising emissions through eco-conscious driving.
Saint-Gobain's ongoing partnership with XPO Logistics includes rolling out Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) vehicles and conducting EV trials to lower the carbon footprint of its transportation operations.
Mike Chaldecott, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, emphasised the importance of recognising drivers for their skill and contributions to sustainability. He stated:
"It was great to see so many of our drivers from across Saint-Gobain in attendance on Thursday, celebrating each other and their achievements. The work they do is integral to our operations. They are in front of customers every day and, to many, are the public face of our business, delivering essential solutions to our customers. Recognising their skills and expertise is crucial and thanking them for their daily efforts is also important."
"In addition to driving skills, we also celebrated the most 'sustainable driver.' Driving behaviour can significantly impact the emissions from our transport, alongside the investments we are making in new technology and fuel, such as HVO. We also used the event to look forward to ways we are continuing to develop our work with drivers in the future, including working with XPO on our female driver academy. We must support the development of new drivers and potentially create a space for them to win these awards. Congratulations to all the worthy winners on the day."
Partnership moving forward
Saint-Gobain focuses on light and sustainable construction and is committed to developing solutions that decarbonise the construction and industrial sectors. With 160,000 employees in 76 countries and US$52.7bn in sales in 2023, the Group aims to "Make the World a Better Home."
Saint-Gobain is actively advancing toward its environmental goals by aligning its sustainability efforts with logistics partners like XPO.
Dan Myers, Managing Director—UK and Ireland at XPO Logistics, expressed his pride in the partnership, saying:
"Both groups share a passion for safety, sustainability and people. The event celebrates all three of these values and recognises the vital role our professional drivers fulfil. I am genuinely proud to recognise and celebrate their success."
The annual Driver of the Year awards spotlight the talents and professionalism of Saint-Gobain's drivers and highlight the company's broader commitment to sustainable transport.
With initiatives like the female driver academy and investments in eco-friendly technologies, Saint-Gobain is paving the way for a future where safety, sustainability and skill go hand in hand.
The event concluded with a renewed focus on collaboration and continued innovation between Saint-Gobain and XPO Logistics. Together, these two companies lead by example, demonstrating that a commitment to sustainability is possible and essential in today's logistics landscape.
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