It was an incredibly successful evening for BWG Foods at the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards (ILTA) where they received the top prize in categories such as the Green Impact Award, Green Supply Chain Excellence, along with being selected as the Sustainable Team of the Year. The highlight of the industry’s annual gala event though, which was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin, was Joanne Mellon been awarded the prestigious Logistics & Transport Leader Award 2026.
The award recognises Joanne’s significant leadership, her contribution to the advancement of Ireland’s logistics sector along with her role in guiding one of the country’s most sophisticated FMCG logistics networks. Joanne has been part of BWG Foods for almost 14 years and has served as Logistics Director since 2016, overseeing nationwide operations that support more than 1,000 independently owned SPAR, EUROSPAR, Londis, MACE and XL stores. A respected industry leader with more than three decades of experience across retail, aviation, publishing and high-tech distribution, Joanne has played an instrumental role in shaping BWG’s logistics strategy, ranging from operational transformation and digitalisation to talent development and sustainability initiatives.
Speaking following the award announcement, Joanne Mellon, Logistics Director, BWG Foods, said: “I would like to thank the Irish Logistics and Transport Association for this honour. I am proud to accept it on behalf of the teams I have had the privilege to work with and lead over the years. Their commitment and professionalism make achievements like this possible. I am especially proud of the BWG Foods logistics teams who deliver for our retail partners and customers every single day. This is reflected in the series of awards for the business in relation to environmental impact, sustainability initiatives and supply chain excellence. As we continue to evolve our operations and drive innovation, from sustainability programmes to the development of next generation logistics talent, this recognition shows the progress we are making together.”
Commitment to People and the Future of the Industry
A champion of skills development and inclusion within the sector, Joanne and her HR colleagues, have helped advance BWG’s involvement in logistics education, including the company’s next generation talent programmes developed in collaboration with third level institutions. Her leadership has been widely recognised for helping to build strong, resilient teams and for supporting greater representation of women in supply chain management.
Driving Logistics Innovation in Ireland
BWG Foods operates one of Ireland’s largest national logistics networks centred at its National Distribution Centre in Kilcarbery, Dublin. The company continues to invest in technologies and fleet innovation that enhance supply chain performance, sustainability and service to retail partners. Recent logistics advancements include the rollout of biogas and fully electric delivery vehicles, building on BWG Foods’ long-standing commitment to reducing carbon intensity across its transport operations. This is also evident in BWG’s position as the current holder of the SEAI Energy Award for Transport, which celebrates excellence in sustainable and renewable energy across Ireland. BWG Foods’ Logistics Division has also been recognised for exemplary performance and innovation in low emissions transport based around its extensive Transport Decarbonisation Project, which delivered a superior sustainable distribution operation in servicing its nationwide network of SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE and Londis and XL convenience stores and supermarkets. BWG has also been commended for introducing Compressed Nation Gas (CNG) and biogas vehicles, providing a 90% CO2 reduction, to its fleet. A number of Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel alternatives have also been added to its fleet, providing a 70% CO2 reduction. Another recognition came late last year when the BWG Foods’ logistics-and-transport team won Gold in the Transport and Logistics category at the Green Transformation Awards. BWG Foods’ investment in electric transport is part of a wider sustainability programme across the Group which is contributing to the country’s broader climate action strategy.
