Wholesale distribution firm Menzies Distribution has registered in the Ecostars schemes in both Edinburgh, where its 37 vehicles won a four-star rating, and South Yorkshire, where its 24-strong fleet received three stars.

The company leases its vehicles and is confident that its star rating will improve through natural replacement cycles, as well as initiatives.

“We have focused on environmental and operational efficiency for a long time,” says transport and logistics manager Allan Hughes.

“However, we don’t know it all and it is useful to have an opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge. It is valuable to learn what has worked for other fleets and what hasn’t.”

Menzies runs 550 vehicles in all and so has the opportunity to roll out whatever best practice it may learn from Ecostars to elsewhere in its fleet.

The Edinburgh scheme launched in January this year with 12 inaugural members, including Next Distribution, DHL Supply Chain, Greggs plc, Clipper Logistics, Brakes and Highland Explorer Tours.