Our fabulous supply chain partners are too good to keep hidden away and here at EF-group we’re all about added value.
We work closely with our 2000+ local and national suppliers to help manage industry accreditation’s, compliance, quality assurance and delivery to our vast client community. In today’s busy and tech focused world it’s easy to forget the important of human interactions and that’s why we invite our clients to see their supply chain in action.
At EF we can arrange for clients to meet the team, get a tour of the factory or farm, and see the operation and processes in full swing. Nathan Jennings, our National Accounts Director recently arranged a trip for one of our clients to Ribble Farm Fare where they got to meet the owners and the growers of all the wonderful produce available to purchase through our powerful procurement system, Freshmarkets. They even got to take home some handpicked, home-grown goodies and taste them straight from ‘farm to mouth’.
One of the great things about Ribble Farm Fare, along with many of our suppliers, is their commitment to sourcing local produce, actively working to ensure they reduce their carbon footprint whether it be through their procurement, production or deliveries and reducing excess vehicle mileage and contribution to emissions.
Another favourite of ours is the trip to the local fruit and veg market, like New Smithfield Market in Manchester, where some of our suppliers also do business, but you need to be an early riser… our Purchasing Category Manager Kris McKay, can regularly be found mooching around the market at 4.30am!
We know that your chefs really are passionate about the food they serve, so being able to see how the process works and meet face-to-face with the suppliers and growers is a great way to incentivise them, it can even spark ideas and new innovative ways of working together. We’ve even had recipe swaps!
To make the most of these visits we work with our clients to understand the purpose for the day, making sure we cover all the objectives, giving the opportunity for questions and most importantly allowing time to get to know each other.
We are constantly developing our mutually beneficial supplier partnerships and are building new relationships with suppliers and manufacturers frequently so we can continue to offer the most competitive range and deals for our clients, which includes these great days out.
Our unique supply network and trusted relationships really enhance our market insight which keeps us competitive and uniquely positioned to adapt to market forces and challenges.
To find out more about our supply chain and how our Freshmarkets solution can help revolutionise your procurement, please contact Steve Walker, Group Sales Director on 07837 212719 or email stevewalker@ef-group.co.uk.
Gemma
