In an era of swift changes and increasing societal demands, fostering sustainability in the logistics sector can seem challenging. For Rasma Saule, a seasoned logistics veteran with over two decades of experience, the goal is not just to meet this challenge but to transform it into an opportunity. At Impact Day 2024, she takes part in the panel discussion “Ready to Reduce: What’s Our Next Step?”.
Redefining Sustainability and Its Role in Logistics
For Rasma Saule, sustainability is more than just a catchphrase. It’s a total game plan that should touch every part of a business, covering environmental, social, and money matters. She strongly believes that companies need to embed sustainability into their base plan to ensure they will last and succeed. “Sustainability isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s critical for long-term success. Companies should look at the larger scene and ask, ‘Are we building something that can last?’” Saule declares passionately.
Even though sustainability is a complex topic, Saule identified the logistics sector as a key player in promoting sustainable practices. She thinks the industry has a huge potential in driving meaningful changes that go beyond surface-level solutions like upgrading to eco-friendly vehicles or cutting down harmful emissions.
“Logistics is central to sustainability discussions, but it involves more than just upgrading trucks,” she points out. She highlights the detailed and diverse nature of these problems, which span from the tough task of reducing carbon and handling human resource matters, to smoothly bringing in new technology.
At her company HRX, Saule brings her full-spectrum sustainability plan to life. For HRX, sustainability starts with the people who make up the company. The company is committed to building and keeping a trusting, respectful work environment.
They reflect this belief in their policies that have fair pay, good health insurance, and strict safety measures. HRX also has a Labor Council and individualized engagement programs as part of their mission to make every team member involved, appreciated, and listened to.
On the environmental side, HRX is making big steps towards sustainability. They are using green energy, deploying electric forklifts, and are in the process of switching their delivery vans to electric models.
But Saule is honest about the big challenges that are in the way of making logistics more sustainable. The switch to alternative fuels is one of the major hurdles—a task that is complicated both in logistics and costs. “The biggest challenge is decarbonization. It’s one thing to talk about alternative fuels, but making them work on a large scale is another story,” she explains.
Building a Positive Company Culture and Boosting Employee Engagement
Saule thinks a positive and proactive company culture is crucial for a company’s success. She believes that trust and emotional safety are key in creating a space where employees feel free to be creative, take initiatives, and learn from their mistakes instead of fearing them.
In terms of planning and decision-making, Saule highlights the need for clear company principles that guide decisions at every level. “Fast decision-making is crucial in logistics because things move fast, but you need a strong base to ensure those decisions are in the right direction,” she says.
Saule is passionate about keeping employees engaged and ensuring each team member feels heard and valued. She routinely holds one-on-one meetings to give her employees a chance to express their concerns and ideas and has set up a Labor Council to give everyone a say in decision-making.
Saule also encourages professional growth in her team, actively supporting further education, training, and attending conferences. She thinks that an engaged, motivated team is more energetic and rewarding to manage than a team that is not interested or not motivated.
Plotting the Path for the Future of Logistics
Looking forward, Saule energetically shares her dream of solving the sustainability problem in logistics. She expects significant transformations in the industry, with a shift from traditional paper-based systems to those powered by AI, robotics, and digital optimization.
Amid these changes, Saule remains committed to delivering top-notch logistics services. At HRX, a family-owned company, this commitment is ingrained in their core values. HRX promises fast delivery times, but their primary focus has always been on improving quality. According to Saule, a happy customer is the best form of marketing—their recommendations mean more than any sales pitch.
“Sustainability isn’t just a PR move anymore—it’s becoming a key part of long-term success,” Saule concludes, painting a hopeful picture of a sustainable, balanced future for the logistics industry that balances speed with green practices.
