Wren Kitchens has unveiled a £35 million investment in its transport operations, combining fleet expansion with the introduction of electric HGVs as part of its wider strategy to decarbonise operations and meet rising customer demand.
The retailer said the investment will significantly increase its delivery capacity across the UK, supporting continued growth in orders for its made-to-order kitchen and bedroom ranges while maintaining service levels for customers nationwide.
At the centre of the expansion is the addition of Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 vehicles, which will operate from Wren’s manufacturing complex in Barton-upon-Humber. Designed for long-distance logistics, the electric trucks offer a range of up to 500km on a single charge and will be used on inbound raw material routes serving the company’s production facilities.
To support the deployment, Wren has installed dedicated charging infrastructure across its manufacturing sites, enabling the vehicles to operate at full capacity from launch.
The move represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions from the retailer’s transport network. According to the company, introducing the electric HGVs on key logistics routes will reduce more than 90% of Scope 1 carbon emissions associated with those supply chain operations.
Alongside their environmental credentials, the vehicles incorporate a suite of advanced safety technologies, including sideguard assist, active brake assist and electronic stability control, which Wren said will help to improve safety for drivers and other road users.
The fleet investment forms part of a broader sustainability programme at Wren. The company is currently progressing plans for what it described as the UK’s largest single-roof solar array at its Barton-upon-Humber manufacturing complex. Once operational, the installation is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to meet more than 35% of the site’s energy demand.
Together with the introduction of Euro 6 standard and biofuel-compatible vehicles, the latest investment highlights Wren’s focus on reducing emissions across multiple operations, from manufacturing and logistics through to customer delivery.
Lee Holmes, transport & logistics director at Wren Kitchens, remarked: “The arrival of our first Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks is a landmark moment in our sustainability journey.
“These are among the most advanced and safest heavy goods vehicles on the road today and by deploying them on our raw material routes we are removing fossil fuels from the very heart of our supply chain.”
He added: “We are renewing and expanding our fleet to help meet the demands of our growing business while continuing our investment to reduce our environmental impact as we remain committed to achieving our goal of net zero by 2030.”
Read more about electric HGVs on Green Retail World
[image credits: Wren Kitchens]
