Effective strategies for low cost sourcing

Network Outputs - Procurement & Supply Chain

Meeting Details

Host: Whitbread

Venue: Brighton Room, Premier Inn 26-30 York Way, London N1 9AA

Theme: Effective strategies for low cost sourcing

Guest Speaker: Mark Anderson, Commercial and Property Director and Paul Clutton, Head of Procurement - Drinks, Supplies & Services

Members at this IRG:

Heard from Andrew who gave an overview of low cost sourcing theory and practice, setting the scene for the debate, as well as from Whitbread with regard to
managing new processes to gain efficiencies through low cost sourcing.

Meeting Agenda: Innovation and research group 77

12:30 Arrival and networking lunch

13:00 Welcome, introductions and overview Professor Andrew Douglas, Network Facilitator, KnowledgeBrief

Andrew will provide an introduction to the objectives of the innovation and research group (IRG) and will invite participants to introduce themselves and note the key issues that they would like to address during the session.
Andrew will then give an overview of low cost sourcing theory and practice, setting the scene for the debate.

13:40 Effective strategies for low cost sourcing An experience sharing presentation by Whitbread

Mark Anderson, Commercial and Property Director and Paul Clutton, Head of Procurement - Drinks, Supplies & Services

Mark and Paul will share with the group the work Whitbread is carrying out with regard to managing new processes to gain efficiencies through low cost sourcing.
In looking at the business case for change in sourcing strategy, Mark and Paul will cover the journey Whitbread has gone through to date and open a debate around the risks and rewards associated with low cost sourcing such as third party supplier risk management, logistics risk management as well as value for money and efficiency gains.
With Q&A throughout

14:30 Tea and coffee

14:50 Best practice debate

A further sharing of low cost sourcing experiences, benefits and drawbacks collected through an open discussion with the IRG guests.

15:30 Summarising the presentations and subsequent discussions on low cost sourcing, arriving at conclusions and recommendations in respect of:

a) The benefits
b) The risks, challenges & drawbacks
c) Current and emerging countries / geographic regions
d) Approach options.

16:10 Preview of next IRG and potential discussion topics

16:25 Summary

16:30 Close