CEVA Logistics, one of the world's leading supply chain management companies, awarded the 2013 SmartWay Excellence award for environmental performance by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) in Denver, Colorado.

Initiated in 2004, the SmartWay program aims to voluntarily achieve improved fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impacts from freight transport. The SmartWay Excellence award, reserved for the top one percent of SmartWay Partners, is the EPA's highest recognition for demonstrated leadership in the movement of goods via freight transport.

Over the years, CEVA has worked hard to lower its carbon footprint. Cleaner, more fuel efficient engines and equipment are central to our sustainability strategy, and we're proud to be recognized by the EPA for our environmental commitment, said Jason Slegers, Fleet Manager for CEVA in the Americas.

CEVA has made great strides to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles and equipment. Additional specifications for engines and equipment and in-cab software modifications to better monitor idle times and top line speeds have contributed to a decrease in overall fuel consumption and helped CEVA to reduce its carbon footprint.

Jim Krepp, CEVA's Vice President for Procurement, Americas, reiterated the importance of the SmartWay Excellence award for CEVA's operations: We're honored to be a recipient of this award. Acting as good stewards of our environment is good for our communities, and it's good for business. From enhanced vehicle specifications, to driver performance tools, to newer late model equipment, increasingly customers are recognizing CEVA for its market leadership in the operation of a clean and efficient fleet.

The EPA's SmartWay Excellence award recognizes high performing partners that are leading the business community to a clean, efficient and more sustainable future for goods movement. The award honors top truck, intermodal and rail carrier partners that are setting efficiency benchmarks in how they move products and supplies. Top shipping and logistics partners also are recognized for efficiency and their actions to reduce freight emissions through effective collaboration, advanced technology and operational practices, a robust system for validating and reporting their SmartWay data, communications and public outreach.