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A sustainable supply chain – why does it matter?

Agilité shares four key ways in which fostering a sustainable supply chain can help to boost business development whilst also respecting the planet

The notion of ‘supply chain sustainability’ centres around the impact a company’s network has on promoting and protecting human rights, encouraging fair labour practices, and respecting the environment.

Businesses need to address how their value chain impacts all of these key factors. Here are several ways in which fostering a sustainable supply chain can benefit your company.

1. Enhancing supply continuity

Diversifying your supply chain will reduce over-dependence on a single, unreliable source link, which can have a knock-on effect on your customer satisfaction levels.

Establishing strong connections with multiple suppliers across various territories boosts continuity of your services – preventing costly downtime and a damaged reputation. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, saw significant challenges brought to the surface due to materials and labour shortages all over the world. Organisations that were resilient and responsive – with a protected network – weathered the storm quickly, while mitigating the damage to their customer relationships.

2. Winning new business

Making your organisation’s green agenda known – and seeking accreditation such as ISO 14001 – can help to establish strong professional connections with other likeminded organisations, potentially leading to more business opportunities.

Displaying accreditations which support your environmental policies helps to demonstrate to potential clients that you’re taking action to reduce your negative impact on the planet – not just saying all the right things.

3. Improving company culture

There’s no denying that the past couple of years have seen a real ‘shake up’ in people’s priorities – particularly when searching for their next career opportunity. In today’s society, job seekers look at much more than mere salary and progression opportunities.

Accordingly, businesses which clearly prioritise corporate social responsibility (CSR) – and particularly sustainability – will be viewed more favourably than those that merely focus on that bottom line.

4. Reducing negative environmental impact

It’s a common misconception that reducing your business’ environmental impact comes at a cost to your outgoings. On the contrary, it can actually lead to huge savings – while reducing waste, boosting efficiency, and creating a positive culture within the organisation.

Agilité is an international commercial interiors specialist with a proactive mindset – breathing new life into spaces for world-leading brands. Headquartered in Paris, and with offices in Milan, London, and Luxembourg, Agilité supports the growth and expansion of its clients across the continent, with a particular focus on the office, retail, and hospitality sectors.