Enscite — created to help manufacturing SMEs develop business opportunities in the transport-engineering supply chain — has helped to launch a Collaborative Purchasing Group (CPG) in the East Midlands that is focused on ‘indirect purchasing services’ such as facilities management, maintenance, office supplies and the use of contractors.
The founding members include Toyota, Bombardier Transport and East Midlands Trains.
Sid Bains (pictured, fifth from left), Enscite’s head of innovation and technology, said: “Enscite is delighted to bring the major OEMs in the East Midlands into one collaborative sharing group.
The CPG is a ground-breaking initiative that will improve the supply chain for OEMs and result in increased business for SMEs. This is a ‘win-win’ situation for everyone.”
Toyota’s Christine Cooke (pictured, third from right), who is chairman of the CPG, said: “The traditional focus of OEMs has been on direct parts and services.
Through this joint initiative, we hope to be able to pinpoint and achieve best practice to support a mutually beneficial and improved local supply chain.”
Enscite is a collaboration of Derby City Council and Aston, Cranfield and Derby universities. It is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.