Supermarket group Waitrose is helping its suppliers boost their green credentials this Christmas as part of a new supply chain initiative launched by the government-funded Envirowise programme.
The Bracknell-based group is one of five major UK retailers to join the year-round initiative. It is designed to encourage food and drink companies and their suppliers to work together to reduce waste and save money - by using water, energy and raw materials more efficiently.
“The build-up to Christmas is always a busy period for suppliers, putting added importance on the strength of the supply chain,” said Nick Monger-Godfrey, head of corporate social responsibility at Waitrose, which stocks 18,000 product lines and relies strongly on long-term relationships with its 1,500 suppliers.
“However, a company that manages its resources efficiently is able to benefit from reduced costs and then plough these savings back into operational areas of the business. This can ensure that suppliers have the flexibility and resources they need to cope with busy periods such as the pre-Christmas rush.”
The four-stage programme of activity, which should take about six months, comprises an introductory workshop, free on-site waste reviews, targeted training workshops and impact assessment for all participating businesses.
“We hope that this initiative will provide help, support and encouragement for suppliers to make further improvements within their own supply chains,” said Mr Monger-Godfrey.
This comes as research by Envirowise – the government-funded programme which provides free resource efficiency advice to businesses in all sectors – reveals that many of the UK’s retailers are failing to develop effective supply chain relationships.
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The study found that, whilst most retailers and wholesalers (91%) are in weekly contact with the supply chain, and see the value of effective supply chain management (94%), few are putting in place the collaborative programmes and processes that can underpin competitiveness and agility, particularly when under pressure.
Katie Plummer, Envirowise Regional Manager for the South East, said: “We would encourage other larger companies operating within the food and drink sector to follow the example set by Waitrose and join us in this exciting new project. Both host companies and suppliers can achieve significant cost savings and improved customer relationships from sharing best practice and working together to reduce their environmental impact.
“The programme is run by specialists who understand the industry and issues affecting it. And our experience has shown that reducing waste costs can save up to one per cent of turnover by putting into place simple, low cost measures.”
To find out more about the Supply Chain Initiative - or for general advice on how to reduce waste and boost profits - visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
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Notes to Editors:
Also working with Envirowise as host companies on the Food & Drink Supply Chain Initiative are Asda, Novotel, Tate & Lyle and McDonalds.
The Supply Chain research was carried out for Envirowise by Critical 2 in September 2005, amongst retail and wholesale businesses employing between six and 250 people.
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability by improving their environmental efficiency.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms, to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.