Heineken Sustainability Report 2008

Ethical and effective sourcing in Poland

Grupa Żywiec, Heineken’s operating business in Poland began the roll out of a new Supplier Code for responsible purchasing in late 2007.

The Code is designed to ensure both ethical and effective sourcing processes that reduce the risk of reputational and financial damage through the supply chain. The Code also aims to encourage suppliers that are not fully compliant to work alongside Heineken to achieve the necessary standards within three years. Once achieved, compliance with the Code will be monitored through regular audits.

“Our suppliers and their sales representatives have been very cooperative during the process,” says Leszek Bajdowski, head of Group Purchasing at Grupa Żywiec. “That doesn’t always mean they know how to organise and present the information for us, so this is an area where we’re helping them as much as we can.”

During the next stage of the initiative, to be implemented in 2009, support programmes will be developed to help non-compliant suppliers raise their standards. Because the suppliers are starting from different points and operate in diverse areas ranging from packaging materials and raw materials, to maintenance and services, it will be important to offer them a tailored approach.

“Supply chain issues are becoming more important and our approach must be supportive and collaborative. This is the best and most mature way to raise standards generally across the supply chain,” says Leszek. “I feel very positively about this initiative because it reflects well on our business in Poland.”