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United Utilities recognised for sustainable procurement success

Iceberg Group member, United Utilities has received the best possible recognition for sustainability by achieving second place in the Business in the Community sustainable procurement award and winning the prestigious Business in the Community Company of the Year award.

This award is all the more impressive when we consider that UU embarked on a sustainable procurement strategy, supported by Action Sustainability, in April 2008, just over 1 year ago. They have progressed from having no clear strategy to being close to leading edge in a remarkably short time. Using the Flexible Framework as a guide, they have worked with the Corporate Responsibility Directorate and Supply Chain leadership team to develop a clear and ambition 6 year programme based on 12 sustainability impacts that represent a "golden thread" to the company's leading position in Corporate Responsibility.

This led to a prioritised programme of category management actions to address appropriate impacts through each category over 6 years. Supported by training, coaching and mentoring, category managers were encouraged to consider driving sustainable outcomes through lower tiers in the supply chain. Working through 2 key partner companies delivering the capital programme - training and strategic support has been provided to Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to address the key impacts where they actually happen. Working groups have been formed to work with groups of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers to drive a 6 year programme that will radically change the way this company's supply chain is managed.

The key benefits to United Utilities are:

Reduced whole life cost giving more than £6 million annual saving;
Enhanced reputation - helping us to win new business;
Improved talent attraction and retention - employee engagement is expected to rise from 66% to >75%.

The benefits to suppliers and society include:

Improved Payment on Time performance to key suppliers from 70% to >75%;
Improved supplier awareness and capacity of our sustainability expectations;
Reduced waste to landfill, material and energy consumption and air / water emissions.

The success of this project has been primarily due to the efforts of Kieran Brocklebank, who has led the programme with tireless optimism combined with intellectual rigour. Action Sustainability is proud to have played a small part in this success.

To find out more about United Utilities' sustainable supply chain approach, click here

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United Utilities recognised for sustainable procurement success

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