A Sustainable Supply Chain is your competitive advantage

There is a growing need for integrating a Suppliers Code of Conduct into supply chain management practices. Before we delve into this further, here are 3 things we want you to know:

  1. We can help you engage your suppliers for better social and environmental compliance.

  2. We have the experience. We have been working successfully with clients and their suppliers for years.

  3. We are aware of where the associated risks in the supply chain are and how to work with suppliers to mitigate them.

 

What is a sustainable supply chain?

Sustainable supply chain management is about working with suppliers to encourage safe working practices, ensuring no human or labour rights abuses and ensuring compliance with environmental management.

Sustainable SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT is also known as:

  • ethical purchasing

  • responsible sourcing

  • ethical procurement

  • ethical supply chain

  • sustainable procurement.

Australian companies are more frequently sourcing products from global suppliers, and suppliers in developing nations where there is the potential for human, labour and environmental risks.

Human and labour rights risks may include:

  • unsafe work practices (no health and safety measures)

  • forced, bonded or child labour

  • discrimination, bullying and harassment

  • no rights regarding freedom of association or collective bargaining

  • unfair working hours and compensation.

Other risks might be those associated with the lack of any environmental compliance and also concerns of corruption.

 

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN?

A sustainable supply chain will be a clear competitive advantage for early adopters and process innovators.

  • It is a tender requirement of some of the top tier construction companies.

  • It is a requirement of some Ecolabelling product certification schemes.

  • It may also help with compliance with the new ISO14001:2015 standard around Life Cycle Impacts and procurement of products.

  • It is a prerequisite for doing business.

 

what are our methods of delivery?

We’ve been working with product manufacturers for 12 years so we understand how your supply chain works and where the supply chain risks may lie. So with this in mind, we have developed a toolkit that is easy to read, understand and implement. The toolkit will help your organisation to effectively work with your suppliers around the issues of environmental and social compliance.

The toolkit has been designed specifically for product manufacturers and retailers of commercial office furniture, architectural hardware and textiles. It helps with managing supply chain regarding ethical business practices. 

Option 1 – Sustainable Supply Chain toolkit

This option is designed to be managed by the client. The toolkit consists of the following documents:

  • a manual

  • letters of engagement

  • an assessment questionnaire

  • a Suppliers Code of Conduct

  • templates for supply chain mapping, workers' survey, corrective actions

  • environmental and social audit report

The 7 - step process

Step 1 – mapping your supply chain                        

Step 2 – conducting a risk assessment                            

Step 3 – supplier engagement                    

Step 4 – setting objectives and targets                    

Step 5 – implementation                             

Step 6 – supply chain monitoring (auditing)            

Step 7 – continual improvement                         

A 2-hour initial consultation is included in the cost of the toolkit. We will go through the manual and templates to make sure you know how to use them and we will answer any of your questions.

We are also available to guide you through any ongoing issues at any stage of the development and implementation phases. This would be an extra fee.

Option 2 – Full implementation and Project Management

If your organisation wants us to project manage the full implementation and to work with you one on ,one this is also an option.  We would manage the complete 7-step process for you. Please see above.

 

WHY choose us?

  • We know the industry, so we have designed our products and services specifically for product manufactures.

  • The toolkit offers great tips on supplier engagement and is a step-by-step guide for product manufacturers and subject matter experts, who often have limited time and resources.

PROVEN RESULTS

We’ve helped a number of product manufacturers through Ecolabelling certification and achieved ‘compliant supply chain’, which has assisted them in achieving Level A certification. We've also worked with clients implementing a Suppliers Code of Conduct.

 

WHO DOES THIS APPLY To?

The Sustainable Supply Chain Toolkit and services have been developed for product manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and assemblers of office furniture, architectural hardware, building products, textile companies and flooring companies.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are our options?

Option 1 – Go it alone. There are plenty of good resources out there, but it takes time to find them, time to understand them, time to formulate them.  We’ve done all the hard work, done the research, attended international training (SA 8000 auditing course- Vietnam- 2015) and various national and international conferences (Singapore -2016), plus plenty of online webinars (see list of training).

Option 2 – Go with us. Experience our knowledge, passion and awareness of:

  • salient supply chain risks with regards to product manufactures

  • your business (product manufacturing)

  • ecolabelling requirements

  • the requirements of Top Tier Construction companies and end users.

2. Why do you need to have a Sustainable Supply chain – who is asking for it?

Top tier construction companies, Officeworks, Ecolabelling certification.

3. How much will this cost me?

The cost of the tool kit, cost of internal staff initiating the Suppliers Code of Conduct and the time and energy working with your suppliers to help them through the process. 

4. How long will it take?

It will depend on how many suppliers your organisation has, your level of commitment and what the most material issues are that are associated with your supply chain. But really, this is an ongoing process, not just a one-off exercise.