INDUSTRY // SPONSORED to use it as a platform for product innovations and developments,” explains Crisp. One such product is Total 360 by The Clorox Company, first introduced to the team by Bunzl Canada, it became one of the first to be registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia for its claims against COVID-19. “The right information and qualified support have become more important than ever and COVID has proven that there is a real appetite for innovative products.”
Lance Ward, Managing Director of Bunzl Australia & New Zealand
SUPPLY CHAIN CAPABILITY
“
Our role has been to assist customers with our expertise and experience to help create clean and safe outcomes for their clients.
”
12 INCLEAN September / October 2020
“We have 150 account managers, so the design of CRT is for those team members to go back into the Bunzl branches and their teams, as well as customers, and provide correct, compliant information. “The consultancy aspect of the CRT means that we are re-directing back to regulatory authorities, working with key manufacturers, and making sure product claims are verified and fit for purpose for customers.” The newly expanded specialist team has also recently launched a new internal program, ‘The New Way of Working’ focused on engaging with customers in remote locations and high-risk environments, such as those in isolation such as hospitals and aged care. In addition, the CRT has also developed a product-based training program, ‘Work Well, Work Safe’, dedicated to COVID-19 specific product and service solutions. Bunzl has also continued to leverage its global footprint. The company operates in 29 countries across four continents. Bunzl Australia and New Zealand is the largest division with a national network of more than 50 warehouse and office facilities around Australia and two in New Zealand. The Bunzl Global Cleaning and Hygiene Collaboration Group was established more than five years ago, with Crisp the Oceania representative. “The global group has been really important throughout COVID-19 because we have been able
“At Bunzl, we say we are in the ‘change business’ and we’re always adapting and modifying our company,” explains Ward. “I’m proud, but not surprised, at how our people have performed throughout the crisis. “‘Pivot’ has been a buzz word in recent months, but we really did, and still do that. Once we had a strategy in place to ensure the health and safety of our people, we quickly switched our attention to supply chain continuity and offering innovation to our customers. A week following the outbreak of panic buying toilet paper that saw supermarket shelves emptied across the country Bunzl was inundated with enquiries. “Our supply chain team engaged with our strategic partners daily and started producing daily forecasts in addition to increasing stock holdings. Our sales team also wanted to ensure our customers were serviced because that would create a strategic advantage for our commercial cleaning companies and our facilities management. We turned down new business to make sure we serviced our customers first, and it was clear to us not everyone was doing that. “The customer feedback our team received has been outstanding and for us it has resulted in the expansion of our relationships and the signing of new contracts ahead of contract renewals. From these events, our customers understand the value of our supply chain capability, but most of all our integrity.” Faced with a similar challenge of global personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, Bunzl once again provided tailored solutions for its customers. “We quickly consulted with our customers and asked them what they needed. We then secured additional supply and sources, and invested in product design, innovation and accreditation.” “For a multi-million dollar order we were able to source the raw material, check the technical specs in our own labs, put it into the manufacturer and have our QA team factory checking and then loaded it on the aircraft making us able to deliver into NSW and Victoria within three weeks.