SOURCING
Tackling sustainability through Last Mile delivery efficiency Bringing efficiency to deliveries is what what3words is all about . The company has developed a system to encode geographic coordinates . It has mapped the entire world in unique combinations of three words for every three-metre square . Based in London , the solution has been popular for e-commerce and delivery , navigation , and emergencies . It has the potential to revolutionise some industries and some parts of the world
" Our technology enables businesses to be found easily , makes it easier for aid to be delivered and offers a ready-made , inexpensive infrastructure for governments ," says co-founder and CEO Chris Sheldrick .
The system is now available in 50 languages , meaning five billion people in the world can use what3words in their native tongue . It is being used by over a thousand businesses in over 193 countries as of date , from Mongolia to Korea , China , the Middle East and South Africa .
" When it comes to delivering goods , companies around the world all face the same global challenge , and that ' s imprecise addressing ," says Sheldrick .
" Couriers often get lost looking for correct entrances , loading bays , or safe places . They waste time and fuel and emit more CO2 . However , when a customer provides a what3words address , the accuracy of the location information is instantly improved ."
Many businesses all over the world are already using what3words for efficient and seamless deliveries — including DPD UK , Evri ( formerly Hermes ), APG Ecommerce , Aramex , and DB Schenker . In 2020 , Mercedes-Benz and DPD carried out a delivery test using what3words addresses , resulting in a 15 % efficiency gain . Another series of tests in Dubai demonstrated that using what3words addresses improved delivery speeds by 42 % and reduced the total distance travelled by drivers by 22 % compared to more traditional navigation .
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