Johnson Controls award for Best Process Improvement Initiative

The main criteria used to select winners in all categories included the importance and clarity of the benefits to the organisation as a result of the project. The award for Best Process Improvement Initiative focused on how purchasing and supply management processes have been upgraded or changed and the benefits they have brought to the business. CIPS is an independent body that represents the procurement and supply chain industry internationally and the 2011 Pan African Procurement Awards were the second annual ceremony held by CIPS in the region.

The Johnson Controls process improvement project centred on developing a dedicated sourcing and supply chain management function and implementing globally accredited processes, policies and procedures. The award followed a move towards a global rather than country-based sourcing model, in line with the wider Johnson Controls GWS business and coincided with an unprecedented number of facilities management contracts awarded to Johnson Controls GWS in the region. In order to effectively manage these contracts and ensure adequate governance and compliance within the sourcing and supply chain management areas, these processes required radical transformation.

Transformation

"The transformation has improved our integrity, ethics and corporate governance structure. We have also increased our contribution towards preferential procurement and enterprise development within Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). By aligning ourselves with global best practices used within Johnson Controls around the world and creating a central purchasing team for the region we are now able to offer greater value within our processes, which will deliver benefit to the customers," said Derek Jack, Regional Sourcing Manager Johnson Controls GWS, sub-Saharan Africa.

The success in Johannesburg was followed by another award for the Johnson Controls GWS sourcing team at the 2011 European Supply Chain Distinction Awards held in Berlin, Germany, in June. The team has also been shortlisted for the International Purchasing Project of the Year at this September's CIPS Awards in London.

Innovation

"Innovation and forward thinking are part and parcel of Johnson Controls' strategy and the local offices are encouraged on a corporate level to put initiatives forward for awards in the public domain and participate in industry best practice. We are proud to have been recognised by CIPS for our internal process improvement project as this award reaffirms our success in our continuous improvement programme," says Phillip Gregory, Senior Regional Executive, Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa.

The global sourcing team manages a network of 55,000 suppliers and sources a spectrum of goods and services, from specialist laboratory equipment for GWS clients in the life sciences sector to cleaners in Vietnam. It comprises 190 employees globally, has delivered in excess of $300mn in savings to Johnson Controls GWS clients during the last three years. All the team members have all undertaken Johnson Controls' integrity training and ensure that everything in the supply chain is ethically sourced.