Playbook
Reducing Empty Running in Manufacturer Freight.
Every kilometre a truck runs empty is paid for somewhere: in the rate, in a return charge or in the carrier’s margin.
The problem
Empty running is hidden inside freight rates, so it is rarely measured or planned.
The signal to watch
Empty km ÷ total km per lane and carrier, from trips and pings. SCM for Manufacturers keeps it at or below 40% as its dictionary target.
The playbook
- Measure empty km per lane from trip and ping data.
- Find lanes where inbound and outbound flows meet.
- Pair outbound loads with inbound raw material on milk runs.
- Share backhaul opportunities with carriers in exchange for better rates.
- Report empty running and freight CO₂e together.
How to measure it
Empty running = empty km ÷ total km. Track it per lane and carrier, along with freight cost per tonne-km.
In SCM for Manufacturers this runs on the same record as every other step from indent to settlement. Related: freight CO₂e, freight cost per ton.
Questions
What is empty running?
Kilometres a truck travels without cargo, usually on the return leg.
Why does empty running matter for ESG?
Empty kilometres burn fuel without moving goods, so cutting them reduces freight CO₂e per tonne.
See it on your own data. SCM for Manufacturers puts the plant gate, carriers, RDC stock, cold chain and OTIF on one control tower. Book a 30-minute working session with an engineer.