WICHITA, Kan. (News release) -- KBX Logistics (a subsidiary of KBX) and Georgia-Pacific - affiliates of Koch Industries, Inc. - each received SmartWay® Excellence Awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding environmental performance and leadership in their supply chain operations. KBX earned the award in the logistics category while Georgia-Pacific received the award in the shipper category. The SmartWay Excellence Award is one of the highest recognitions for logistics providers and freight shippers in supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.

"Earning the EPA's SmartWay Excellence Award is a testament to KBX's critical work in the logistics industry - particularly at a time where the supply chain is under tremendous strain during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Paul Snider, President of KBX Logistics. "At KBX, we are continuously enhancing our capabilities and operations to transform the North American supply chain into one that is more seamlessly connected, efficient, and safe for operators and the customers we serve. This award underscores KBX's dedication to innovation and sustainable operations, and a validation of the KBX team's hard work."

As one of the largest dedicated fleets in the U.S., with more than 5,000 domestic daily shipments and approximately 3,000 drivers, KBX is an integral part of the North American supply chain. KBX earned the EPA's 2021 SmartWay Excellence Award in recognition for numerous operational efficiencies and achievements in 2020, including lowering idling and driver dwell times; improving loading and unloading efficiency; reducing emissions; experimenting with electric vehicles and autonomous technology; and upgrading assets that reduced electricity usage by 36%. KBX has also been a leader in developing and implementing innovative technology solutions to support the supply chain, such as its Loadshop digital marketplace and electronic Bill of Lading (eBOL), which offer supply chain operators the ability to optimize shipping operations for peak efficiency, safety and transparency.

Georgia-Pacific has long been a leader in shipping, and this 2021 award builds on its impressive history of SmartWay Excellence recognition. Georgia-Pacific encourages all carrier partners to be registered SmartWay Carriers, which reduces freight transportation-related emissions by accelerating advanced fuel-saving. Georgia-Pacific encourages all carrier partners to join SmartWay and utilize the free tools to measure, benchmark and track their efforts to increase efficiency and fuel economy. Additional efforts by Georgia-Pacific to reduce air emissions include investing nearly $27 million within the last year at its Green Bay Broadway mill to replace the final coal-fired boiler with a natural gas boiler that produces steam for process use and power generation. The mill's sulfur dioxide emissions were reduced to zero, while the nitrogen oxide emissions were reduced by 90%. Georgia-Pacific is also scheduled to spend more than $14 million to take down and remove coal-handling systems, coal boilers and other obsolete equipment and buildings.

"Georgia-Pacific's long-standing partnership with KBX enables us to better serve our customers by managing efficient delivery of our products," said Christian Fischer, President and CEO of Georgia-Pacific. "Earning the EPA's SmartWay Excellence Award is an example of how preferred partnerships with companies like KBX are important in helping us provide our customers and consumers better alternatives than what they have, while consuming fewer resources."

KBX and Georgia-Pacific are two of 12 logistics and shipper companies to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay's nearly 4,000 partners. This year's awards were announced at a virtual press event hosted by the EPA with its SmartWay Partners, key stakeholders and media in attendance.