Constance Hotels & Resorts brochure – 2018

Constance Hotels & Resorts:

Innovation with a passion

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Delivering supply chain innovation WRIT TEN BY

CATHERINE S TURM AN PRODUCED BY

ARRON R A MPLING

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With a passion for hospitality, Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager, discusses how his team works to provide its customers with an unforgettable experience

T

he hotel industry remains

business prides itself on delivering

a fierce platform for budding

world-class experiences in surroundings

entrepreneurs and long-stand-

of pure beauty, instinctively unlocking the

ing corporations. The rise of budget hotels and new business models, like that of

potential of each location.

Responsible for the company’s supply

Airbnb, have fully disrupted the way in which

chain operations in the Seychelles, the

the sector seeks to attract new customers,

Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar and

whether it be through cost-effective

Zanzibar, Gilbert Chetty has witnessed the

pricing, adrenaline focused activities or

brand’s growing popularity across Africa.

the guarantee of timeless experiences.

With the support of his six-strong team,

Providing exceptional services to its

Chetty strives to procure and deliver

guests, Constance Hotels & Resorts

goods at the best value in order to fully

oozes luxury. Situated at a number of

satisfy the needs of its customers.

stunning locations across Africa, the

“I am lucky to work with such a talented

“ We trust our people, treat them as collaborators, and try to apply the values of the company with them. These are generosity, sincerity and to demonstrate excellence, implementing a blend of innovation and creativity” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager 05

group of people who understand our procurement requirements. We trust our people, treat them as collaborators, and try to apply the values of the company with them. These are generosity, sincerity and to demonstrate excellence, implementing a blend of innovation and creativity,” he says.

Enabling teams in charge of purchasing at specific regions to source the best prices within a particular region, the team works to negotiate the optimum deals with regards to corporate items. For example, by adopting a linen tender, the Group has standardised the bed and bath w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

linen at an agreed price for a specific period of time.

“There are also other group of items that we negotiate for the group. For example, umbrellas, slippers, types of papers to be used for our printings etc.,” notes Chetty.”

“We therefore try to combine both decentralised and centralised purchasing for the advantage of our stakeholders.”

Technological shift The Group’s enduring ambition to be an essential figurehead for human scale luxury hospitality has factored into its goal to grow from 9 to 20 hotels , whilst ss its operations. Consequently, the business is set to launch a 06

second brand later this year in the upper-scale segment.

“With expansion of the Group and the creation of this second brand situated in different locations worldwide, our procurement will need to adapt to different culture and laws, analysis of the market and eventually consider new sources,” explains Chetty.

Situated at the business for over ten years, Chetty has been central to the dynamism which runs through the supply chain operation at Constance, where he has sought to maintain and uphold all required processes, adhering to all compliance laws, as well as remaining consistent with ethical, social and environmental standards. His vast expertise has therefore seen its procurement and supply chain operations become fully transformed, particularly as a result of new technologies.

“Technology is now the heart of supply chain management. The business of the industry is problem-

“ With expansion of the group and the creation of the second brand, our procurement will need to adapt to different cultures and laws” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager

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solving. New technologies can help personnel to better understand the equipment, manage the decision-making process more efficiently and drive costs down,” he says.

“For example, supply chain networks are built on customer demand and cost optimisation. The usage of analytics helps personnel understand behaviours to react quickly to rebalance inventory and adjust transportation. Supply chain management has therefore evolved into a technology-led, customer-driven industry.

“To take advantage of this shift, the focus can’t be on just the technology. The right talent equips supply chain management companies w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

with the resources they need to fully leverage connected technologies to improve their business processes.”

Harnessing software which will enable the business to utilise multiple foreign currencies, Constance has also adopted cloud technology and blockchain, which will bring the highest degree of accountability to the business.

“There will be no more missed transactions, human or machine errors, or even an exchange that was not done with the consent of the parties involved due to the use of 08

blockchain,” he adds.

“ There will be no more missed transactions, human or machine errors, or even an exchange that was not done with the consent of the parties involved due to the use of blockchain” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager

Click to watch: Corporate video for Constance Hotels and Resorts

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Collaboration

& New Zealand can be included, as

Dealing directly with suppliers in both

Constance Hotels and Resorts’ Group has

local and international markets, the Group

the largest wines cellar in the Indian

has partnered with two renowned

Ocean, namely at Constance Prince

forwarders in the importation and

Maurice, situated on the eastern side of

exportation of various goods. At each

Mauritius island.

location, the business has also appointed

“Additionally, we have a number of

a number of local suppliers to deliver

strategic partners who sponsor the MCB

goods to its hotels.

Tour Championship, a men’s senior

“Our freight forwarders, corporate

professional golf tournament, who also

suppliers in terms of wet and dry ameni-

sponsor each December our annual golf

ties can be considered as our main

tournament which is held on our Con-

strategic partners,” explains Chetty.

stance Legend course.”

“The wine sellers of France, South Africa

With this in mind, Tyre World has w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

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“ Constance Group has the largest wine cellar in the Indian Ocean, namely at Constance Le Prince Maurice, situated on the eastern side of the island” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager

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FACTS

Situated at a number of stunning locations across Indian Ocean and Africa, CHRG prides itself on delivering worldclass experiences in surroundings of pure beauty, unlocking the potential of each location.

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Chetty strives to procure and deliver goods at the best value in order to fully satisfy the needs of customers, as well as adhere to company standards.

Later this year, the business is set to launch a second brand later in the upper scale segment The Group has adopted cloud technologies, as well as blockchain, to bring the highest degree of accountability.

The Group works tirelessly to eradicate child labour from across its supply chain, and regularly undertakes audits, surveys and site visits to guarantee all practices are sustainable Awarded the Green Globe Certificate, the world’s most recognised global certification for sustainable travel and tourism for four consecutive years

become a key strategic partner for the business, providing tyres and high-quality buggies for its golf courses.

“We have been working with Tyre World for years and have always been satisfied in terms of the products and services offered, mainly after-sales services,” says Chetty.

“The company is always prompted to consider new avenues to improve in terms of products offered, as well as in terms of payments and competitive pricing and sponsoring the different events in our group of hotels.”

Sustainable practices While the supply chain consists of not only sourcing services and products at competitive prices, the Group has worked tirelessly to eradicate child labour from across its supply chain and regularly undertakes audits, surveys and site visits to guarantee all practices are sustainable.

“One of our key challenges is to become a customer of choice for our suppliers, so that even in difficult moments, such as a cyclone, incorrect forecasting, or any other situation which could impact our operations, we are not faced with any kind of shortage and count upon their prompt reaction,” observes Chetty.

“Supplier innovation is more likely if we become a customer of choice. Innovation is a two-way process; however, so we believe that it is not only about writing it in a contract and expecting the w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

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C O N S TA N C E H O T E L S A N D R E S O R T S

“ New technologies can help personnel to better understand the equipment, manage the decisionmaking process more efficiently and drive down costs” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager

RELIABILITY GETS A PREMIUM UPGRADE.

info@tyreworld.mu

Tel: (230) 5941-2831

@TyreworldMauritius

S U P P LY C H A I N

15 best ideas from suppliers. The most

ment and operation of its properties

successful approach is to abide by

in terms of logistics management,

agreed payment terms and

as well as inventory management,

demonstrate a partnership

information technology, procure-

approach by listening and respond-

ment and distribution, lean and

ing to suppliers’ ideas.

green supply chain practices.

“We want to trust and consider suppliers as a centre of excellence in

An authentic passion

terms of inventiveness, reactivity or

Awarded the Green Globe

rather proactive in terms of sourcing,

Certificate, the world’s most

proposing alternatives goods which

recognised global certification for

are in lines with the concept and

sustainable travel and tourism for

standard of our properties.”

four consecutive years, the Group’s

The company’s supply chain team has also focused on the manage-

unwavering commitment to sustainability has increased the its w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m

C O N S TA N C E H O T E L S A N D R E S O R T S

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AUGUST 2018

S U P P LY C H A I N

“The usage of analytics helps personnel understand behaviours to react quickly to rebalance inventory and adjust transportation” — Gilbert Chetty, Group Supply Chain Manager

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global recognition and attracted new and existing customers.

As it continually reviews and improves

engage with tier-one suppliers. Emphasis needs to be paid to controlling the

its four pillars: environmental, socio-eco-

approach taken with tier-two suppliers,

nomic balance, quality of service and

ensuring that the necessary obligations

health and safety, the procurement team

are passed down to subcontractors,”

at Constance routinely mitigates any

concludes Chetty.

potential risks, looking at its suppliers’

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“It’s no longer good enough to simply

“Our DNA is all about the genuine

financial status, followed by health and

enthusiasm we have for hospitality; as a

safety and industry practices.

matter of fact, it’s where we come from, i.e.,

our Mauritian heritage. We believe that our

ity market. Our generosity delivers a great

passion allows us to create emotions.

return on investment, as treating guests

“Our personality sets us apart, as our guests like our ‘un bon vivant’ style. People

generously repays more in satisfaction, with loyalty then following.”

who come as guests leave as friends. This family spirit spreads from our team to our guests, and our attention to them makes them want to come back.

“I sincerely believe that we are changing the nature of relationships in the hospital-

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Constance Hotels & Resorts Limited Belle Mare | Poste de Flacq | Mauritius | Indian Ocean Tel: +(230) 402 2999 www.constancehotels.com Mauritius | Seychelles | Maldives | Madagascar | Pemba, Zanzibar