TNT and DHL partner on sustainability

For the first time ever, transport sector competitors, TNT and DHL, jointly organised and participated in a driving competition called the DriversChallenge. The unique event saw pick-up and delivery (PUD) drivers from both multinationals competing for the title of best driving team.

Rivalry, though, was far from their minds. This friendly competition was about partnership.

For the first time, these competitors were standing shoulder-to-shoulder to send one unifying message: that the transport sector is serious about its responsibility to society, and that successfully acting on that responsibility necessitates cooperation rather than competition.

The unique event was inspired by TNT’s annual Drive Me Challenge, which took place for the fourth consecutive year on October 6 at the Valkenburg military airfield in the Netherlands. The DriversChallenge, hosted in the same location, paired-up TNT Netherlands and DHL Netherlands drivers in a competition with the same objective: challenge drivers on their level of fuel efficiency, road safety, customer excellence and the speed of their completion.

Sixteen teams, each comprised of a TNT-DHL driving team, needed to safely complete 12 laps around the track in as little time as possible, while consuming as little fuel as possible. Along the way, drivers were required to make five customer pick-ups and deliveries, with each visit evaluated by a simulated customer. TNT driver Pieter van Gompel and DHL driver Judith Damen took home the top prize.

Both TNT and DHL agree that cooperation is the only way that the transport sector will achieve its sustainability targets. TNT said it plans to encourage more industry players to participate in the driving challenge in future.