Expansion Management

Are Your Suppliers Green Enough?

June 30, 2010

That's a question that BaxterInternational takes seriously.

One of the company's 2015 sustainability goals is to incorporate green principles into its purchasing program with its top 100 suppliers.

And it has 20 criteria that its Purchasing and Supplier Management team will measure and evaluate a green supply chain. Suppliers will be judged on environmental or sustainability programs; initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; activities to decrease natural resource use; and actions related to product stewardship, material compliance and recycling.

The company's Global Supplier Sustainability program evaluates suppliers based on the following categories:

Green supply chain - the procurement of products and services that have a reduced environmental impact http://sustainability.baxter.com/supply_chain/greening.html

Material compliance - working with suppliers to meet the growing number of regulations worldwide related to product materials http://sustainability.baxter.com/supply_chain/greening.html#Product

Supplier environmental, health and safety audits - ensuring that suppliers meet Baxter standards in their manufacturing operations http://sustainability.baxter.com/supply_chain/management.html#Audit

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism) Program- collaborating with government and other businesses to strengthen international supply chain and U.S. border security.

For more details about the program see
http://sustainability.baxter.com/supply_chain/greening.html

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

Email: [email protected]

Follow Adrienne on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Call: 216-931-9235

Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.