Total Supply Chain Sustainability

The need

More than 80% of world trade involves physical elements of a supply chain. The risk to corporate reputation, profit and customer service from unethical or unnecessarily complex or lengthy supply chain links is growing. How can a company ensure that it is sourcing, manufacturing, transporting and storing its products in the most environmentally, ethically and cost-effective manner?

The Weir approach

The Florida Grapefruit story illustrates our approach:

Picture the simple grapefruit on your breakfast table. Now imagine the complex supply chain which put it there: growers, packers, truckers, dockers, shippers, warehouse pickers, retailers…

What did it cost to give you a taste of sunshine on a winters morning? In financial terms, probably less than one Euro, but what about other costs?
How much carbon was emitted to grow, pick, process, package and ship it?
Was it intensively fertilised – a long-term cost to the productivity of the soil?
Was everyone along the supply chain paid a fair rate for their efforts?
Where is the packaging now – including the plastic carrier bag?

If you had to pay for the carbon from your personal ration, or negotiate wages directly with the grower, or dispose of the packaging in your own back garden, how you would organise the supply chain?

Now look at a more complex example - the packaged ready meal

Total supply chain Sustainability means examining the total, end-to-end supply chain, for risks and opportunities

The benefit

Total Supply Chain Sustainability policy/strategy developed
Performance management metrics established
Operational improvement and process redesign
Training and action plans (with interim management support if required)

Stephen Weir explains why business survival depends on embracing Sustainability.

See the short film here.

A Sustainability Healthcheck will deliver money to your bottom line

We will benchmark your organisation against the best and provide a tailored report showing where you need to focus your efforts to reduce costs, decrease risks, and improve your Sustainablity. We always identify "Quick Wins" which will give you a rapid payback.

Apply here to find out more.