Partners In Purchasing

Partners In Purchasing Ltd (PIP) has been established for 14 years and is an SME based in the City of London who manages food service supply chains on behalf of clients. PIP's services include product sourcing where they work with clients to find the best suppliers for their needs from their national network of wholesalers, sourcing from a range of catering products. PIP rigorously assesses members of their supplier network to ensure they are compliant with standards of hygiene, health and safety, quality and environmental issues. PIP has also committed to engaging with local businesses, particularly SMEs. Using this approach, PIP manages supply chains, facilitating linkages between producers and manufacturers, distributors and clients.

A good example of PIP's commitment to local sourcing can be seen in its daily trading with a  Devon fishmonger with two small trawlers that make up part of Ilfracombe's indigenous fleet, forming part of a co-operative that works towards sustainable fishing of the Bristol Channel. Upon the catch being landed, it joins the other orders destined for London. The transport company used operates an integrated delivery service and will only send out vehicles with a full load. This is not only common sense and cost effective, it also it means it is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport.

When the fish arrives in London, it is prepared, filleted and joins other orders to be delivered across the Capital. Vehicles used for deliveries are powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and are therefore exempt from the Congestion Charge due to their reduced emissions. 

PIP's fishmonger also regularly buys fish from Billingsgate market in London and where possible, sourcing fish from West Mersea and Maldon on the Essex coast, roughly 40 miles from the City of London. Chefs love the idea that they can talk to their fishmonger on a daily basis, knowing that they have all the up-to-date information about which are the endangered species in each season and which of the catches can provide them with the optimum in freshness, health and nutrition. In a world where global events undermine our future food chain security, PIP believes that they need to secure and develop today's local supply chain now, because tomorrow it will be too late. 

More details about PIP's services can be found at their website.