Supply chain
We rely heavily on many key suppliers to deliver our services effectively. For key suppliers we seek to develop strategic partnerships through which we regularly review progress, set targets for improvement and develop the partnership such that both parties benefit.
Our supplier partners include vehicle manufacturers, engine component suppliers, fuel suppliers, waste management contractors, cleaning contractors and catering contractors.
Ethical purchasing
Our purchasing strategy is driven by the need to obtain competitive goods in compliance with our Code of Business Ethics and Supplier Code of Conduct.
Powerful software allows us to manage the significant amounts of information generated during the tendering process, including ethical and environmental data from our supplier self-assessment questionnaire. We score and evaluate responses to determine the appropriate level of follow-up required and we have risk assessed our main commodities. Our purchasing managers use this data to evaluate the risks associated with a new contract so that these can be effectively managed during the tendering process. The matrix also identifies commodities where there are opportunities for environmental or social benefits: again this helps purchasing managers to factor these elements into the tendering process.
This year we have reviewed our purchasing processes and fully integrated consideration of CSR issues into the process incorporating the above tools. Training on the use of these tools and a broader understanding of sustainability issues is being rolled out to the purchasing team.
We look for partnerships with our main suppliers to ensure regular two-way dialogue and to drive continuous improvement. The following are some examples of our partnership approach:
- We work closely with our fuel suppliers, exploring sustainable sourcing of biodiesel feedstock and fuel quality to promote better fuel efficiency.
- Our electricity provider, Opus Energy, sources its electricity from a range of renewable resources. In partnership with them we are installing smart meters across the company to improve our energy monitoring data. This will help us better understand energy usage trends and the action we can take to reduce them.
- In North America we are working with Integras to collate and manage utilities data across the business. This contract has enabled us to report baseline utilities usage for the first time.
- In both the UK and North America we work in close partnership with our waste management contractors. They help us to reduce waste by optimising collection and disposal methods and to improve recycling rates at our depots and stations.
- We work with our design teams to develop design guides and checklists aimed at improving the sustainability of our buildings. Our new head office in Aberdeen includes ground source heat pumps and other sustainability features.
- We work with our vehicle suppliers to look at ways of improving the fuel efficiency of our vehicles.