ATC Logistics is one amongst Europe’s leading logistics, white glove, and technical services specialists for data centres. Delivering an end-to-end service for hyperscalers, the company offers everything from managing specialist computer transport through to IT relocation services, logistics and planning, data centre commissioning and decommissioning, and just about everything in-between. It’s for this reason that ATC Logistics has become a partner of choice for European hyerpscalers who value the firm’s one-stop-shop solution and ability to pre-emptively deliver upon emerging client requirements.

As aforementioned, ATC Logistics’ greatest strength comes in the form of its acute understanding of the data centre industry and the shifting regulations shaping present-day client demands. Always looking ahead and plotting a course towards the solutions of tomorrow, ATC Logistics is an active innovator in the logistics sector, both in terms of rolling out new solutions and service lines to support the needs of its clients and in keeping ahead of regulatory change to offer solutions that can support clients in their own critical strategies – particularly in the case of ESG strategy. Let’s take a closer look.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the logistics industry today is that of decarbonisation and the pathway towards net zero operations. As of 2024, not only are the same challenges around electrification and the use of alternative fuels from prior years still ever-present, but with increased regulatory weight and pressure from organisations across industry demanding urgent decarbonisation efforts, the logistics industry is effectively at a critical point: one where organisations can either adapt or falter. Quite interestingly, it’s a situation also acutely felt across the data centre industry, with hyperscalers rapidly trying to adapt and ensure consistency in the standard of service while also delivering important environmental wins.

While all of this should theoretically paint a rather bleak picture for a firm battling pressures from both sides of the spectrum, ATC Logistics actually finds itself in a rather envious position. For many organisations, the period is a catalyst for sustainability strategy and the trialling of alternative fuel sources as a means of both tackling rising fuel costs and in meeting emerging environmental regulations. Yet, for ATC Logistics, this is a journey the company has been on for a number of years already and, as of 2024, the firm is already delivering many of these carbon reductions in a way which is both laying the foundations for the years to come and allowing the firm to stand out amongst its competitors.

“In certain cities (in particular, London), environmental regulations are becoming stricter and stricter. That’s where many of the data centres are placed,” explained Keith Young, Managing Director of ATC Logistics. “So earlier this year we did some trials with Volta Trucks so that we can have clean, zero tailpipe emission vehicles to service data centres. It’s good for the customer but it’s also supportive of green future city initiatives too.”

He added: “By integrating state-of-the-art battery-electric vehicles into our operations, we are reducing our environmental impact and enhancing the efficiency of our services across Ireland and Europe. ATC will continue to be an important partner for our clients as we continue working together to meet their sustainability goals by decarbonising the final mile of their supply chains.”

As of today, ATC Logistics already has a number of electric vehicles within its fleet, accounting for just shy of 20% of its 50-strong HGV fleet (5 rigids and 4 tractor units) and a further 16 commercial vans and crew cabs. Thanks to the nature of organisation’s work, the company has also reported notable success across this EV fleet, with the firm’s ability to work within a short range on many jobs coupled with the ability to leave the vehicles charging throughout lengthy down-time periods allowing for rather efficient use of the vehicles thus far. 

Investment into the EV fleet forms a part of ATC Logistics’ “Driving Green Strategy” under which the firm has already committed to a landmark investment of €22.5m to transition the HGV fleet from traditional combustion engines to BEV. The investment sits alongside broader efforts to help the company’s clients gain visibility of their Scope 3 carbon emissions for subcontracted transport and logistics services and to build decarbonisation strategy into all aspects of the logistics supply chain, such as through: strategic supply chain management, sustainable warehousing, the use of alternative fuels, and better waste management. 

Of course, ATC Logistics’ success with electrification thus far isn’t by a coincidence, and is instead thanks to the development of real insight into both where and how electrification works. Driving this electrification and decarbonisation strategy is Rainer Hoerbst, Head of Green Logistics, who offered a great deal of insight into the firm’s approach to electrification and the partnerships that have proven critical in the success achieved to-date.

“We make informed decisions,” explained Rainer. “We look at the routes we’re making for clients and at the technology available on the market. The Volvo Connect app, which has a very good planning tool for making an informed decision on what the best model is to use if you’re transitioning your fleet for different lanes. For every lane, we know what we can achieve and we can easily implement it in our operations, but the next step for us is doing pilots for long distances (around 1,000km in one direction for us).”

He added: “I’d like to send a big thanks out to the Volvo network of dealers, especially Irish Commercials and Volvo UK & Ireland. They have helped us a lot in terms of transitioning our fleet over the last two years.”

Outside of electrification, ATC Logistics is also making headway with the roll-out of alternative fuels – specifically, HVO. While such efforts were indeed delayed due to regulatory complications in broader Europe (Germany being a notable example), as of today ATC Logistics runs HVO across all of its lanes and has allowed for an enormous reduction in the firm’s carbon footprint (with HVO reducing on-road emissions by up to 94% in comparison to fossil diesel fuel). With many of these regulatory issues now firmly in the past, it’s also seemingly clear skies from here on out. 

Outside of environmental efforts, ATC Logistics is predicting commercial expansion as clients across the data centre industry continue to gear-up and develop their operational footprints across Europe. Understandably, this will offer ample opportunities for growth and, thanks to the firm already being ahead of the game on its decarbonisation journey, ATC Logistics is certainly very well placed to take advantage of these opportunities. We’ll report further on this growth trajectory as and when we learn more.         

Transport & Logistics – Driving The Industry Forward