Quebec furniture makers prepare for transport pooling

The Quebec Furniture Manufacturers Association (QFMA) is launching a transportation pooling initiative.

The program is meant to reduce the carbon footprint of the furniture industry in Quebec, and to allow manufacturers to lower their transportation costs, giving them an advantage over the competition.

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an important concern for the QFMA and its members.

“We have to do our part as an industry. We believe that the consumption of fossil fuels for the transportation of Quebec-made furniture can be significantly reduced through the pooling of transportation,” explained Gilles Pelletier, CEO of the QFMA.

The program, supported by the ministry of economy and innovation, is being implemented in collaboration with Cedric Millar, which offers supply chain solutions in Canada and the United States.

“Cedric Millar is pleased to partner with the QFMA on its Better Way program,” said Brian Ware, managing director of Cedric Millar Integrated Solutions.

“The program provides a clear competitive advantage, through increased efficiency, for QFMA members during this time of widespread supply chain instability.”

The program is currently in the benchmarking phase. Several companies are collecting data that will allow the establishment of targets. The group hopes to have this first phase completed within a year.

Office furniture specialist Artopex is taking part in the project. “We are among the first participants in this evaluation phase of the new program and are very excited about the potential gains in efficiency and emissions reductions,” said Simon Lapointe, the manufacturer’s vice-president, finance.

This program aims for major improvements in terms of cost savings, competitiveness, efficiency, and the environment. The QFMA will actively promote the program to its members and have confidence that a large number of companies will eventually join.