Supply Chain - Case Studies

Supplier Corporate Responsibility Forum

Our Corporate Responsibility Forum was launched in 2005 and is sponsored by the Infrastructure & Procurement team. The Forum consists of our major suppliers who gather annually to share their experiences and best practice around corporate responsibility.

The 2006 Forum included a presentation from Mitie on their Real Apprentice Scheme. Mitie, who are our UK supplier of document and distribution services, have been running a successful scheme to provide work experience and training to young people from under privileged areas. As a result of the Forum, PwC and Mitie have worked together to provide opportunities for seven Real Apprentice participants to work in our London office locations. This year the Real Apprentice awards ceremony was held at our Southwark Towers office.

Supplier Survey

In 2006 a survey was conducted by an independent survey organisation on our major suppliers who represent 80% of our 3rd party expenditure. The survey consisted of a 45 minute interview and all responses were treated as anonymous. The results were very positive with over 85% of those questioned stating they believe that PwC is a good organisation to do business with and that they are always treated fairly and with respect.

Working With Suppliers To Reduce Our Environmental Footprint

Carpet used in offices, all man made fibres, hard wearing, anti-static, fire resistant, is a pretty fearsome chemical concoction. Its manufacture can have significant environmental consequences, both use of resources and risk of pollution. We have a long standing relationship with InterfaceFLOR, a world leader in environmentally sensitive manufacture and distribution of carpet products whose founder, Ray Anderson, enjoys a substantial global reputation as a business leader with a passionate environmental conscience.

InterfaceFLOR manage the supply and disposal of our office carpet. All carpets are made using renewable electricity and carry a BRE A star excellent rating, the highest in the industry. We participate in their ReEntry® scheme to reclaim used carpet and divert it from landfill. In 2006 in excess of 14000m² of carpet was diverted from landfill. In 2007, by participating in the Cool Carpet® carbon off-setting scheme, all new carpet will be carbon-neutral. Last year 50 tonnes of CO₂ was offset using this scheme and this figure will be much higher going forward.

We are also working closely with Honeywell, our national supplier of building and accommodation services, and have reduced our energy consumption by 15% per head. For example, in Embankment Place alone we have achieved a 1.2 million kwh annualised saving through introducing closer monitoring of our energy consumption, improved ways of working and better staff training.

Working With Our Suppliers To Ensure A Fair Deal For Staff

The security industry is currently allowed to opt out of the Working Time Directive (WTD) and large numbers of security officers are required to work up to 60 hours a week – obviously helping to keep costs down.

In line with the PwC "great place to work" ethos we have worked closely with our security supplier – G4S – to ensure all our security officers across the UK conform to the WTD without the detriment to their pay that is often the result of reducing hours. Accordingly the attitude and moral of security officers has increased while our turnover of staff has decreased.