Punch Taverns boosts supply chain management with Altius Vendor Assessment

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 10, 2012 - Stephen Allen, Head of Investments for Punch Taverns, said: "In 2009 we decided to make a fresh start on supplier assessment and move to a single online accreditation system that could give us complete visibility of our supply chain. We were seeking robust real-time checks on quality, health and safety and financial health of our suppliers.

"We selected Altius www.altiusva.com (http://www.altiusva.com/) because it is a dynamic system that operates in real time, providing rigorous CDM and health and safety assessment with all the evidence and certification available to view online. It also provides up-to-the-minute information on measures such as our suppliers' insurance cover and credit ratings, with instant alerts if there are significant changes in their financial status. In addition, the system has the agility to develop with our changing requirements, such as a planned move to evaluate how well each contractor satisfies our customers."

Punch is able to select from the national network of accredited Altius contractors to identify new suppliers to fill any gaps in its supply chain. This also provides Punch's accredited contractors (Altius Assured Vendors) with an opportunity to win new business with other Altius client companies, such as Trust Inns, Airbus, Morrison's, Selfridges, SGP Property and Facilities Management, Wolseley, Arcadia Group and  Superdrug.  

"The feedback from our suppliers is very good and consequently our supply chain is exceptionally stable," added Stephen Allen. "They find the Altius system very transparent and they receive automatic reminders if any policies or standards require refreshing or renewing, which keeps them compliant and organised. The accreditation questions are geared towards the jobs they will undertake for Punch, so everything is relevant and after the initial assessment, it's just a case of updating their policies and documentation.

"The process of first accrediting our suppliers was incredibly quick and efficient - taking days for each supplier rather than weeks as had been the case with previous assessors. The Altius system is an enabler rather than a hurdle and it's like an invisible hand that's fully integrated into our business. It provides us with the confidence that we are following due dilligence and can maintain our exemplary health and safety record without risk.

"We welcome the development of Altius's new CDMComply system, which will help our main contractors keep tabs on their sub contractors by ensuring that they comply with the competence requirements laid down in the CDM Regulations."  

The Altius Vendor Assessment system won the 2011 British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) Award for Innovation in Technology and Systems. The service is free to clients and main contractors seeking verified suppliers, and there's a small annual fee for vendors. Altius are full members of Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP), providing its Assured Vendors with the widest possible recognition of their status under mutual recognition arrangements.

For further information contact Altius Vendor Assessment on 08445 616515, enquiries@altiusva.com, www.altiusva.com