Luís Simões grows at double digit rate in the Iberian Peninsula
Luís Simões presents its 2022 Sustainability Report and Accounts. The document demonstrates the company’s financial strength, with an 11.6% increase in turnover over the previous year, as well as its commitment to building a more sustainable, equitable and innovative logistics future:
- In 2022 Luís Simões has travelled more than 120 million kilometers, delivering a total of 8 million tonnes of consumer products in the food, beverage, personal care, health and other sectors
- The logistics operator has undergone 61 audits to ensure the quality of service and the thoroughness of its operations
- Likewise, Luís Simões has progressed in its sustainability strategy, with 12% less GHG emissions from the fleet compared to 2007
2022: a year of challenges
During 2022, the distribution and transport sector faced different global tensions, such as the conflict in Ukraine, the inflationary trend and its effect on fuel prices, which had a direct impact on supply chains. Luís Simões has adapted its operations to continue offering the highest quality service and guaranteeing the safety and well-being of its employees.
In addition, LS has implemented various initiatives to align its business strategy with ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
In this task, it is worth noting the great commitment to innovation, aimed at offering efficient and competitive solutions for transport, logistics and auxiliary services. The group has obtained for the second consecutive year the COTEC Innovative Statute, an award that recognises the good financial performance of the companies that conform the largest sectors of the Portuguese economy, those that contribute more than 16% to the national GDP or generate more than 8% of private employment.
Commitment to maintaining and increasing quality
of operations and services provided
Another of the areas in which the operator has made the greatest efforts has been towards maintain and increase the quality of its operations and services. In 2022, Luís Simões’ trucks travelled 120 million kilometres, connecting its customers with Spanish and Portuguese society through its network of 24 logistics operations centres (LOC), 8 transport operations centres (TOC), 2 heavy vehicle technical assistance centres and 4 insurance mediation and brokerage offices. In addition, 9,710 e-commerce shipments were handled every day.
More than 70% of the operations involve food, beverages, personal hygiene, and healthcare products, which require exacting standards and handling requirements to ensure the highest quality throughout the supply chain.
In line with this commitment, Luís Simões has voluntarily undergone 61 internal and external audits. Its main facilities comply with quality (ISO 9001) and environmental (ISO 14001) standards, and the company has been awarded the Ecovadis Gold Medal for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to this, they have also been certified as an Organic Products Warehouse in Guadalajara since 2021 and Good Distribution Practices for Medicines in Cabanillas del Campo since 2020.
In 2022, Luis Simões achieved the best scores ever in specific external certifications for food products, attesting to excellence in the field of this matter in the various regions where he operates.
Safety, Training and People LS
It is also worth highlighting the progress made in the areas of safety, training and people. In 2022, LS created its own Prevention Service (Spain) to reduce the risk of accidents and reinforce the protection of its equipment. In this respect, it is outstanding the Ecodriving programme, which trains drivers towards efficient driving, maintenance and health and safety at work. Moreover, in 2021, nine Luís Simões’ drivers received the IRU diploma, which recognises those who haven’t caused serious accidents during the last 20 years.
In addition, Luís Simões has enhanced the professional development of its 2,456 employees, allocating more than 18,480 hours to training. Also, the corporate strategy to ensure equal opportunities in a traditionally male-dominated sector has continued, with a 13% increase in the number of women in the workforce compared to the previous period.
Sustainability strategy
Finally, Luís Simões has made progress in the development of its sustainability strategy, achieving a 12% lower volume of greenhouse gas emissions from the fleet, compared to 2007 levels. To this end, LS maintains its fleet with an average age of 2.6 years.
In addition, LS has added two new Euromodular vehicles, bringing its fleet to 15 units. Two such vehicles replace three conventional tractor units plus a semi-trailer, resulting in greater efficiency and a reduction in emissions and road wear.
In the logistics area, energy efficiency and waste management measures are noteworthy, as well as the commitment to the use of self-consumption renewable energies (which already account for 3% of total consumption).
Social responsability
In 2022, Luís Simões has also been involved in several projects in which the business and its employees have been able to collaborate with different social causes. For example, the shipment of products to Ukraine together with the Gaia Municipal Chamber, the distribution of food together with Fundación Madrina or blood donation campaigns.
Our President’s Words
“It has been a challenging year for the logistics and transport business. We have reinvented ourselves to continue to meet all our customers’ needs, placing efficiency and sustainability as pillars of our business strategy. Above all, however, the cornerstone of this year, and of our history in general, are all the people that are part of Luís Simões. It is thanks to them that we have managed to get this far and who give us the confidence to look towards the future with ambition”, explains José Luís Simões, President of Luís Simões.
Goals for 2023
Looking ahead to 2023, the company plans to increase its turnover, continue with its decarbonisation strategy, open new logistics centres and optimise its customer services.