Comments on: Wal-Mart in the News http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/05/24/wal_mart_in_the_news/ From farm to table, and all the stops along the way. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:16:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Derrick Schneider http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/05/24/wal_mart_in_the_news/#comment-221 Fri, 26 May 2006 16:49:42 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/05/24/wal_mart_in_the_news/#comment-221 Marc,<br /> <br /> I agree that they'll go green precisely as much as they need to increase their profits. But even if they opt out of the new trucks (thanks for that info, by the way), if they can demonstrate that at least some green practices actually help the bottom line (as opposed to the prevailing wisdom), then other business will jump right on that practice, and when more are focused on the issue, prices for things like the trucks will go down.<br /> <br /> Probably that's idealistic thinking, but I do believe that other businesses will watch this move carefully. Marc,

I agree that they’ll go green precisely as much as they need to increase their profits. But even if they opt out of the new trucks (thanks for that info, by the way), if they can demonstrate that at least some green practices actually help the bottom line (as opposed to the prevailing wisdom), then other business will jump right on that practice, and when more are focused on the issue, prices for things like the trucks will go down.

Probably that’s idealistic thinking, but I do believe that other businesses will watch this move carefully.

]]> by: Marc http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/05/24/wal_mart_in_the_news/#comment-220 Fri, 26 May 2006 12:24:04 +0000 http://growersandgrocers.net/2006/05/24/wal_mart_in_the_news/#comment-220 My opinion is that all of WalMart's "going green" talk is about the bottom line. Remember their "Made in the U.S.A." campaign? That didn't support their bottom line, so they switched to off-shore suppliers.<br /> <br /> Here's a subtle thing that would prove me wrong: when they buy new trucks. The 2007 model year will introduce truck engines that nearly zero particulate (smoke, soot) emissions because of diesel particulate filter technology. It will be a mini-revolution: smoke-free trucks.<br /> <br /> But because of the new equipment, the trucks will cost several thousand dollars more and have slightly lower fuel economy. If WalMart makes a huge purchase at the end of the 2006 model year, green transportation is not their concern. <br /> <br /> Then, in 2010, even cleaner truck engines will be produced, and again there will be a price premium. Will WalMart make a huge pre-buy in 2009? Or will they go with the green transportation option? <br /> <br /> The EPA has plenty of background about these historic changes (www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm , for example) My opinion is that all of WalMart’s “going green” talk is about the bottom line. Remember their “Made in the U.S.A.” campaign? That didn’t support their bottom line, so they switched to off-shore suppliers.

Here’s a subtle thing that would prove me wrong: when they buy new trucks. The 2007 model year will introduce truck engines that nearly zero particulate (smoke, soot) emissions because of diesel particulate filter technology. It will be a mini-revolution: smoke-free trucks.

But because of the new equipment, the trucks will cost several thousand dollars more and have slightly lower fuel economy. If WalMart makes a huge purchase at the end of the 2006 model year, green transportation is not their concern.

Then, in 2010, even cleaner truck engines will be produced, and again there will be a price premium. Will WalMart make a huge pre-buy in 2009? Or will they go with the green transportation option?

The EPA has plenty of background about these historic changes (www.epa.gov/otaq/hd-hwy.htm , for example)

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