*4.6. Transportation Service Provider*

The confectioneries are transported from the warehouses of Company E to the wholsesalers and the retailers by two different transportation companies. We interviewed IP6 as a representative of one of the transportation companies (Company F). Company F is a large logistics group that focuses on transporting, sorting, and delivering mail and parcel shipments. Packaged dry products, such as confectioneries, can be shipped with the transportation service provider.

The business relationships of Company F are all based on written contracts: "[ . . . ] we only work based on written contracts, [ . . . ] they are standardized [ . . . ]" (IP6). With subcontractors providing transportation services, e.g., the routes, prices and number of transports are regulated through contracts. The company's own sustainability standards are passed on to partners through a code of conduct. The expert criticizes the lack of industry-wide standards, especially in the field of sustainability: "[ . . . ] it would be great if there were standards that were generally specified. Unfortunately, we lack something like that completely. That's why we are already working on developing our own internal standards for the [freight division of the company], for example [ . . . ]" (IP6).

When outsourcing orders to other logistic service providers, Company F pays attention to compliance with social and environmental standards and regulations. The payment of the local minimum wage, for example, is a basic requirement for entering into a contractual relationship with other companies. In order to increase sustainability in the supply chain, the group uses its market share and the associated negotiating power to let supply chain actors compete against each other regarding their sustainability level.

Furthermore, joint sustainability efforts are developed in bilateral discussions, and the logistics group creates incentives for its partners to act more sustainably (e.g., using electric transportation means).
