In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Andy Hedrick, CEO of Green Path Tech. He dives into their innovative, fuel-saving technology. He also shares insights on how your business can be more sustainable and offers his predictions for the future of the industry.
A Journey into the Supply Chain Industry
Andy began his journey in logistics 32 years ago when, as a student of Industrial Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, he was offered a job entering drivers’ logs at his friend’s uncle’s company. Shortly after, he began working at a consulting company. Andy then spent nearly a decade overseas, helping international companies establish new businesses around the world, earning the unofficial title of a logistics globetrotter.
“I never really pictured being in supply chain. I didn’t know what it was, honestly. But once I got involved with it, I kind of fell in love with it.”
His industrial engineering degree proved invaluable during his work with international companies.
Returning to Appian Logistics Software
After his international work, he returned to the company he was working for in college, Appian Logistics Software (now part of Trimble / TMW Systems). There, they were rolling out hundreds of fleet routing optimizations, GPS tracking, and digital mapping projects. This eventually evolved into capabilities such as texting and emailing updates. Altogether, Andy worked at the company for 14 years.
He then transitioned into doing consulting work, focusing specifically on contract negotiation.
Founding Green Path Tech
2018, Andy, a self-proclaimed efficiency nerd, launched Green Path Tech with a single goal in mind: to help the supply chain industry. He began working on fuel economy improvement projects with fleets and quickly identified a major issue– the companies were spending too much time digging through data to find what they needed.
Introducing Trucking Tower Leads
This led to the idea of creating Trucking Tower Leads, a SaaS platform, now part of Green Path Tech. It brings together fleet engine counts and DOT data along with detailed contact records for 14,000+ executives who operate trucking fleets.
“We tied together fleet data and contact data so that companies that lease trailers, sell tires, sell fuel or whatever it may be, could go to the people that actually have fleets and not spend hundreds of hours searching records.”
Green Path Tech’s Fuel-Saving Technology
He also talked about the company’s cutting-edge, fuel-saving technology and its impact on sustainability in the industry.
“We have a six-in-one green fuel technology through a partner company and we distribute it. It reduces your fuel spend by 10 to 23% by burning the fuel completely. It removes the carbon and lubricates the engine. All in one thing.”
Factors for Reducing Fuel Emissions
Andy also shared the key factors you should consider when looking for companies to work with in, order to reduce fuel emissions.
“You want to work with businesses that aren’t just putting stickers on trailers– you want the ones doing actual work. Whether it’s fleet routing optimization to reduce road miles, reducing your fuel use, or having low- resistance rolling tires to reduce your fuel, there’s number of different things.”
Businesses Sustainability
But the main question is: how can businesses become more sustainable? The answer is simple.
“Find solutions that can save you money while going greener. For example, if it’s fleet routing optimization, take the same amount of product, get it out, but do 15% to 30% less road miles.”
Predictions for the Future of Sustainability in Trucking
He also offered insightful predictions on the future of sustainability and the direction he thinks the trucking industry is heading.
“I feel like innovative solutions that at first people go, ‘No way’ to are going to happen. They’ll get rolled out, and then they’ll get rolled out a little bit more. Eventually, the big players are all going to say, ‘We’re going to do this.”
Advice for Engaging with Shippers
When asked about advice for brokers and fleets on effective strategies to engage with shippers, this is what Andy had to say.
“As a company, we’ve built over $8 billion in sales pipeline for our partner companies. My advice is: lead with value, don’t spam people, and use automation to your advantage.”
It’s people like Andy that are driving positive change in the industry, merging sustainability with cost saving.
Listen to the entire interview on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or watch it on our YouTube channel.
