[ NORDIC SUPPLIERS ]
Them cultivates close supplier relations Them Andelsmejeri expects innovative sparring with its suppliers who are rarely replaced. But when it happens, it is often after thorough checking among networks and references. Them Andelsmejeri is a medium-sized company in the food industry, producing cheese from 55 million kg milk per year. In addition to paying the members the best possible price for the milk, the dairy spends in the range of DKK 100 million on procurement. The past three years, CEO Torben Aarris has had overall responsibility for procurement spread over more than 35 suppliers. And the vast majority are familiar faces who have been supplying the dairy for a number of years. - This may be a conservative quality, but it goes without saying that existing suppliers have a knowledge of our plant and production, which makes it much easier for them to relate to problems and suggest solutions, Torben Aarris explains on today’s Teams-connection Therefore, it is not an everyday occurrence to replace core suppliers, because the dairy actually expects the well-known suppliers to provide input on innovative initiatives in all business areas. - Our business partners are all specialists in their own narrow field, whereas on the other hand, we have a wider perspective on the plant in its entirety. In addition to providing good quality at low cost, the perfect supplier and specialist can provide continuous sparring and inspiration for prospective optimizations in their own area, says the CEO. Not too many small-scale contracts The dairy’s supplier list reflects several strategic considerations. - We have relatively few suppliers, which in turn reflect pretty close relationships. As a mediumsized company, we can basically not split our core contracts into many small parts. This would entail too many small-scale agreements and make it difficult for us to obtain the right contracts and discounts, says the CEO. However, as a minimum, the dairy tries to adhere to dual sourcing in critical product areas.
6 Mælkeritidende 5 / 2021
- Thereby, we have a safeguard to secure supplies if a supplier should encounter delivery problems. Furthermore, simple tenders for more generic product types such as energy, workwear, and standard spare parts are invited on an ongoing basis from a smaller circle of potential suppliers, Torben Aaris says. New IT supplier via networks and references Recently, the dairy invested in a major upgrade of the entire IT system. Therefore, Navision Business Central is about to be rolled out in all parts of production, following an investment running into millions. In this case, the order went to Accuratech, a brand-new supplier. - It is a complex task, which our permanent IT support did not have the capacity to handle. Therefore, we made inquiries in our networks about possible suppliers, which led to the initial contact with Accuratech, Torben Aarris says. Networks and colleagues in related companies are typically the first step in locating a technical development area in production, technology, or administration. Next, references are key. - We always perform in-depth checks on refe rences in order to get the impression that the supplier can document assignment solutions in similar companies, the CEO underscores. Another contact forum is the various food technology fairs, which Them Andelsmejeri actively uses when new suppliers are sought. - We participate in fairs in Herning, Germany, and Sweden – all places where we can get general inspiration and obtain sparring on current issues, Torben Aarris concludes. LW
Torben Aarris, CEO at Them Andelsmejeri.
Them Andelsmejeri Produces firm yellow cheeses in fully automatic cheese facilities as well a handmade specialty cheeses based on traditional know-how. Owned by 13 cooperative members Total weigh-in is approximately 55 million kg milk Annual procurement – approximately DKK 100 million distributed on about 35 suppliers.
