The relationship between train operators and SMEs seems set for change. Along with the Department of Transport’s major re-franchising programme, presently under way for the UK’s railway networks, comes a significant shift in the government’s view on the length of time over which the new franchises will run – extending terms that were commonly six or seven years to about 15 years for the new franchisees. (more…)
Having access to an accurate and up-to-date database of supplier information is a critical first step for any buying organisation wishing to gain a full understanding of its supply base. Using reliable supplier information plays a very significant role in reducing a buyer’s exposure to supply chain risk. But the problem facing many companies is in ensuring that the information held on its supplier database is not only accurate and up-to-date, but is also valid. (more…)
Supplier challenges are on the rise. Research by Achilles and Nottingham University into challenges brought under the EU procurement regime in the UK over a 20-year period indicates there has been a sharp rise in recent years in the number of cases reaching the courts. Compounding concerns for procurement professionals will be evidence that in 37 per cent of those cases at least one of the claims was supported by the court. (more…)
Sir Roy McNulty’s recently published review of Britain’s railways lists 10 main barriers to efficiency in the industry and makes recommendations to deliver savings of £1 billion a year by 2019. In asserting that ticket prices are “already too high”, the report highlights the need for the industry to offer greater value to the travelling public and a 30 per cent efficiency improvement target has been presented as the way to achieving this aim.
Making savings of this magnitude will require the rail industry to work far more collaboratively and much smarter. In procurement, an initiative is underway to reshape the way buyers and suppliers work on pre-qualification and tendering processes. The governance for the industry’s supplier qualification scheme, Link-up, has changed to make it accessible to the whole industry on a collaborative basis – creating a scheme that will be “by the industry, for the industry”. (more…)
The relationship between train operators and SMEs seems set for change. Along with the Department of Transport’s major re-franchising programme, presently under way for the UK’s railway networks, comes a significant shift in the government’s view on the length of time over which the new franchises will run – extending terms that were commonly six or seven years to about 15 years for the new franchisees. (more…)![[Bloglines]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[Twitter]](http://blog.supplymanagement.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
