JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

Toyota partner Southeast Transportation Systems has earned a SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizing the company as an industry leader in environmental performance and energy efficiency.

STS received a SmartWay Excellence Award in the large fleet category of the auto segment for 2013, for its use of advanced technology to reduce its carbon footprint. 

A division of Southeast Toyota Distributors and its parent company JM Family Enterprises, STS serves 176 Toyota dealers in the Southeast, and distributed 131,714 Toyota and Scion vehicles in 2012 to dealerships from its Jacksonville, Fla., and Commerce, Ga., vehicle processing centers, the company reported.

STS operates more than 80 trucks which are routinely inspected to minimize emissions; 90 percent of the company’s fleet are new and have improved fuel economy, employing systems like automatic transmission and electric power take-off. These tools monitor the trucks to decrease idle time and reduce the discharge of pollutants.

STS also facilitates a driver training program to teach the operators of manual transmission vehicles techniques to optimize fuel efficiency. In the past five years of implementing the fuel-saving initiatives, STS has saved more than 750,000 gallons of diesel and $2.6 million in fuel costs.

“We are honored to be acknowledged for our ongoing efforts to be a sustainable organization,” said Kevin Fleeger, Southeast Toyota Group vice president. “It is part of our corporate philosophy to continuously seek innovative ways to conduct business with consideration for the environment, employ eco-friendly business practices and conserve resources wherever possible.”

STS was one of 55 companies to receive this distinction, with recipients honored at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ annual conference held in Denver, Colo.

“EPA is pleased to recognize the 2013 SmartWay Excellence Award recipients,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator. “I commend JM Family for its superior environmental performance and leadership in advancing freight sector efficiency. Their commitment is helping lead the freight industry to a more sustainable future.”

For a complete list of Excellence Award recipients, go to:
www.epa.gov/smartway/partner-resources/awards.htm.

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