secure business
We build prosperous, value-driven procurement practices to manage business risk, improve the supply chain and create the most advanced solutions for our customers.
a viable supply chain
We strive for long-term partnerships and strictly adhere to due diligence requirements. Our lead buyers conduct supplier audits and check if our suppliers apply social and environmental standards. CSR certifications and external ratings from independent agencies like EcoVadis make sure that our suppliers comply with our stringent standards.
Supplier management framework
We ensure that our suppliers share our principles of ethics, integrity and respect for people and our environment. The tools we use to manage this are our Supplier Code of Conduct, supplier performance evaluation and supplier risk evaluation.
Our supply chain is complex and characterized by diversity, as we work with more than 5,300 vendors in Europe, Asia, America and Africa. In the interests of our customers, we attach great importance to risk management and compliance with legal standards that ensure fair and safe working conditions and environmental standards.
1 – Supplier Code of Conduct
All suppliers are required to sign our Supplier Code of Conduct, which upholds the same standards as our own. This Supplier Code of Conduct covers the areas of business integrity, labor standards such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, avoidance of forced, compulsory and child labor), quality, health and safety of people and products, the environment and sustainability, and management practices.
2 – Supplier performance evaluation & audit
At least once a year, we use our internally developed supplier performance evaluation system to assess our key suppliers’ compliance with our standards. Additionally, we conduct audits with selected suppliers. In the case of non-conformities, suppliers are required to take corrective action.
3 – Supplier risk analysis
Our systematic risk analysis process helps us ensure the availability of material, reduce possible dependencies and make objective purchasing decisions.
4 – Supplier development
Our lead buyers analyze the results of the questionnaires and audits according to a clearly defined standard process, and the supplier is provided with a copy of our evaluation, as well as an action plan. If any sustainability deficiencies are identified, we engage with the supplier to understand the risk areas and work together to define actions for improvement. Repeated failure to comply will result in the termination of the supplier relationship. Due to our efforts in supplier relations, we did not need to agree on any improvements resulting from our evaluation or audits, nor did we have to terminate our relationship with any company during the reporting period.
performance 2023
It is in our and our customers' interest that we cooperate only with trustworthy, compliant and righteous suppliers.
