©Altius
Debenhams improves supply chain compliance
By Retail Technology | Monday February 3 2014
Multichannel department store appoints supply chain procurement systems specialist to improve supplier visibility and vendor management
Debenhams has today announced the appointment of Altius Vendor Assessment to manage its contractor pre-assessment and compliance across its UK retail estate.
The Altius online supplier management system uses an evidence-based approach to check and accredit suppliers’ competences – from health and safety compliance through to financial health, environmental performance, customer service and corporate social responsibility.
Alan Beacham, building services controller for Debenhams, stated: “It is vital that our contractors meet the highest professional standards and we are confident that Altius can help Debenhams to improve our supply chain management and visibility, while minimising risk and liability both for Debenhams and our contractors.”
Beacham also highlighted the real-time advantages of the online system. “What is most reassuring is that it’s a real-time assessment system. As such, all the certification demonstrating our contractors' compliance with CDM [construction design and management] and health and safety, and evidence of financial health, is kept up to date and available to view online,” he said.
Customisation boosts procurement efficiency
The procurement systems firm, which is also Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) member, said clients are able to customise the Altius system to meet their specific selection and monitoring needs.
New criteria can be added into the online assessment process to meet new regulations or changing requirements. And the risks presented by different contractors also vary, so assessment can be made relevant by tailoring questions according to the specific tasks each will perform. This, it added, avoids wasting suppliers’ time, while minimising risk.
Gary Plant, Altius Vendor Assessment managing director, commented that Debenhams was the latest in a number of new retail clients that including Selfridges, Morrisons and Arcadia Group.
“Our online system will provide them with the information required for successful supply chain management, also helping to save time and money,” added Plant. “The system is very easy to use and shortens timescales for introduction of new contractors from weeks to days.”
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