We believe that building long-term partnerships with our key
suppliers brings far greater benefits for both sides than
maximising short-term profits. A testament to this approach
is the fact that in 2014 we celebrated 25 years of sourcing
in Indonesia.
Over time, we have built two-way relationships with suppliers
that go well beyond a simple order/purchase transaction. These
trusting relationships have enabled us to work together to
innovate with new materials and processes and to address
productivity, efficiency and quality. We also place our own
personnel in the strategic factories, where they work closely with
local personnel on developing the next innovation, with the
consequence that our suppliers are becoming more competitive.
The partnership approach extends to social and environmental
issues, too. Not only do we visit numerous factories each year to
check they are complying with our Workplace Standards, but we
also advise and train them in how to make improvements where
necessary. That way, we can help our suppliers to truly integrate
our standards into their business and take responsibility for
meeting them.