The Green Award is presented annually to the companies and products that have gone above and beyond to promote or demonstrate sustainable practices within the live touring sector. Following a rigorous process, where applicants had to showcase the innovative steps taken to enhance sustainability in the live entertainment sector, Pieter Smit was crowned the winner.
Dedicated to pioneering sustainable transport solutions that set new standards in the industry, one of Pieter Smit’s proudest achievements is its involvement in the tour of Jakop Ahlbom’s theatre production, Horror – providing a bespoke e-truck transport and storage solution.
Over the past two years, Pieter Smit has worked diligently to implement this solution. Initially, the team faced challenges due to the high height of its tractor, which did not match the height of its mega trailers. This required the team to purchase a suitable trailer for the production team to adapt their set to.
To ensure seamless operations, Pieter Smit partnered with a company that provides mobile chargers. During the load-in, a charger was connected to the theatre’s power supply. Generally, theatres use less power due to the adoption of LED lighting. By the end of the afternoon of the show, the production took over the reins of the power supply to focus lights, perform soundchecks, or run catering. After the show, when the venue no longer needs power, it reverted to charging the truck.
An external data company played a crucial role by offering insights into how the tour could be executed more efficiently. This collaboration among multiple companies, all sharing the goal of making touring more sustainable, is what impressed the judges.
Following the success of the project, Pieter Smit has received further requests from clients interested in using an e-truck for their events, highlighting the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The e-truck theatre tour had a significant positive impact on the sustainability of the event. Most notably, the tour was completely emission-free. This is a stark contrast to regular fossil fuel-based tours, which contribute substantially to carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the success of this initiative sets a precedent for future electric tours, amplifying its impact on the industry. By demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of using electric vehicles for large-scale events, Pieter Smit hopes to pave the way for more sustainable practices in the touring industry.
Additionally, the firm’s rental fleet includes electric vehicles, which were used to transport the cast and crew. This comprehensive use of e-vehicles not only reduced the event’s environmental footprint but also showcased Pieter Smit’s commitment to sustainable transportation solutions.
Horror’s set, technical equipment, wardrobe, and merchandise were also stored in one of Pieter Smit’s 400 shipping containers in the company’s warehouse – which is heated to a minimum of 17°C, using sustainable energy sources such as geothermal energy and solar panels. This way, the firm not only ensures that the materials are stored safely but also provides an eco-friendly solution for the storage itself.
Moving forward, Pieter Smit hopes to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and inspire others to join them in their mission to create a greener, more sustainable transport sector.
Honourable mentions go to CES Power, d&b group, Grid Faeries, Ecotricity, KB Event, and Power Logistics, that all put together outstanding applications for this year’s Green Award voting process.
