Companies can avoid damages if they ensure their suppliers act according to Corporate Responsibility principles. Child labour scandals in India, soccer ball production under inhumane conditions in Pakistan, outrage about sub-standard wages in Hamburg luxury hotels – companies often find themselves placed in a negative light because their supplier do not act according to Corporate Responsibility (CR) precepts. These problems occur with increasing frequency in this age of complex supply chains. Corresponding media coverage damages a company’s image and brand, as well as its stock price and thereby the company’s value. It only takes a few days to destroy that which has taken years to build up.

Today, no company can afford to entirely entrust the issue of Corporate Responsibility to its suppliers. Companies that integrate suppliers into their supply chains must personally ensure these suppliers not only operate according to economic principles but according to ecological and social guidelines as well.

Xcitec recognizes the importance of this topic and supports companies in implementing Corporate Responsibility aspects in supplier management. Xcitec standard software realizes Corporate Responsibility in all major supplier management steps – supplier qualification, supplier rating and supplier development. During supplier qualification, the supplier is extensively questioned regarding risk factors. CR aspects are integrated into the criteria catalog during supplier rating, and the supplier’s adherence to these is evaluated. Supplier development documents supplier optimization measures and monitors progress.

Xcitec supports suppliers’ sustainable adherence to Corporate Responsibility principles through integrating this aspect into all major supplier management process steps. Trust in suppliers is strengthened and risks are minimized.