Unipart Rail Traction and Rolling Stock business unit provide a parts logistics service to train operators. They have recently developed a new approach with their top 20 suppliers called Supplier Relationship Management (SRM).
Based on a vision & values partnership, this approach aims to achieve lower cost overall through collaborative working and is aligned with BS11000 standard. It promotes a continuous improvement culture and starts with an engagement process to establish joint objectives and policies.
A high level risk matrix is used for the top 100 suppliers. Six matrices are used in the following areas: Engineering; Cost; Quality; Delivery; Financial; Relationship.
A Supply Chain risk score is calculated from six individual scores and is used to rank suppliers in risk priority order for action. High risk suppliers will be managed using Unipart’s proprietary Ten(d) to Zero programme, which engages suppliers and Unipart people in a continuous improvement programme that delivers mutual benefit. Workshops are run including good and poor performing suppliers thereby enabling them to solve key problems jointly.