ARU delivers applied supply chain research that supports real organisations facing real pressures. The work covers airports, public procurement, logistics and food systems. Each project produces evidence and tools that improve performance.

At London Stansted Airport, our work focused on sustainability benchmarking. We built a clear method to compare performance across waste, energy, water, and ground operations. You see performance gaps when you track indicators at process level. The benchmarking helped Stansted identify quick wins in waste diversion and resource use. It also created a baseline for long term planning on carbon, circularity, and service efficiency. This showed the value of data driven sustainability in complex transport hubs.

In the public sector, we worked with local councils to strengthen sustainable procurement and support net zero targets. Councils need simple and robust ways to include carbon, social value, and supply chain ethics in contracts. Our projects showed that you improve outcomes when you combine clear criteria with supplier engagement. Local suppliers respond well when buyers explain expectations and share templates. Councils also reduce risk when they track contract level emissions and supplier performance. This helps them meet national reporting requirements and local climate commitments.

Lean and Green research in food production has been another major area. Projects with food businesses showed large gains when teams applied targeted Lean tools. They improved yield, flow, and quality. They also lowered energy use by redesigning high impact steps. The results show that efficiency and sustainability advance together when firms focus on process improvement.

Work on decarbonising transport and logistics produced similar insights. Projects with UK and EU partners showed that route optimisation, shift to rail for medium distance flows and improved truck loading cut emissions in selected networks. Firms with strong visibility tools improved asset use and reduced idle time. These measures support cost reduction and compliance with tightening emissions rules.

ARU is active in strengthening the UK food supply chain. Research with growers, processors, distributors, and retailers showed the value of collaboration during shocks. You see better outcomes when partners share demand forecasts and invest in local capability. This reduces waste, improves on time delivery, and builds resilience against climate risk and labour shortages. These projects shape ARU’s broader offer to industry.

We work with organisations that want practical insight and measurable results. We support organisations that want to:

• Benchmark sustainability performance in complex operations

• Meet net zero requirements in public procurement

• Reduce waste and improve flow in processing

• Cut emissions in logistics and transport

• Build resilience across food and transport networks

• Strengthen visibility and supplier capability

ARU is open to new collaborations across airports, logistics, food, manufacturing, and public services. You gain evidence-based solutions and access to national and international research networks that help you stay ahead in a fast-changing environment.