That’s evident from our stand on issues such as the environment.
As well as having commitment to sourcing and supplying a range of environmentally-responsible products, Corporate Express also promotes environmentally-responsible behaviour through the organisation, and has forged alliances with peak environmental organisations such as Buy Recycled Business Alliance (BRBA).
“Being socially responsibility also means making sure that the products that we buy come from ethical sources, and it’s here that we’re taking a leadership role in the office products industry.
“We’ve already begun by offering Fair Trade branded coffee, knowing that farmers in Third World countries aren’t being exploited – instead, they’re receiving a fair price for their produce. We have plans to continue expanding our fair trade product range.
“Now we’re expanding on our policies and practices that will ensure that the products you buy from us are ethically produced, no matter where they come from. These products will comply with a set of broad principles that are important to us – and we know they’re important to you too.
“We seek to ensure that our products are manufactured using sound employment practices. We don’t knowingly tolerate child labour, discrimination of any sort, unfair wages and benefits, forced or bonded labour, or any violation of human rights.
“We seek to ensure that manufacturers provide a reasonable level of health and safety for their employees, and that equipment and conditions are appropriate.
“We also require that companies comply with local laws and international standards.
“As a supplier, we’re a link in the chain, but we need to make sure that all the other links are just as strong as us. We behave ethically, and it’s important to us that those who manufacture for us also behave in an ethical way,” he says.
Local Australian suppliers are required to guarantee the products they offer, whether they’re manufactured in Australia or imported, while overseas manufacturers will be vetted by a qualified third-party organisation. To confirm compliance Corporate Express will audit all its manufacturers.
“We work with suppliers to ensure that they understand and comply with our policies; a corrective action process will apply if a manufacturer is unable or unwilling to do so,” says Grant.
“We give them the opportunity to fix the problem, particularly if it's a unique product that we cannot source from elsewhere. However, if the problems are unresolvable, then we will have no hesitation in developing alternative solutions.”
“We want to encourage those who supply us to source cost-effective, environmentally and socially responsible products and services, 100 per cent of the time,” he adds.
“The risk to ours and our customer’s reputation without a sustainable supply chain is significant. We see it as our role to manage this and other risks for our customers as their business partner.”
