The company’s Better Buying scorecard outlines its overall score for 2021, and in 7 key purchasing practice categories. The results show where the company has improved its performance, stayed the same or declined from previous years in terms of how it is rated by its suppliers, and how it compares against the industry benchmark, Better Buying Institute said in a press release.

The scores are based on anonymous feedback from its suppliers, which are aggregated via Better Buying’s proprietary algorithm, analysed for trends, and turned into actionable data-driven insights. This 360° feedback nurtures a culture of innovation, helps build a more resilient supply chain, and forges stronger supplier partnerships.

SanMar has also made publicly available its 2021 company report, which provides a detailed breakdown of how suppliers rated the company on specific purchasing practices, as well as priorities for improvement. The report also includes anonymised, open-ended comments from suppliers detailing examples of best and poor practices, and suggestions on how the company might improve in each of the 7 categories.

“We have agreed to share our Better Buying 2021 scorecard and company report because we believe transparency and leadership are essential to being a great partner to our global vendors. We also believe in strong, fair partnerships with our factories and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help our vendors succeed.” Pat Noonan, SanMar’s chief product officer, said.

“Better Buying is a remarkable tool. We particularly like the totally anonymous nature of Better Buying as it makes sure there is no pressure on vendors to be anything other than completely open in their reviews of us. By encouraging other subscribers to the platform, we think we can help drive meaningful change in the way apparel companies work with their vendors beyond just SanMar – moving the needle for the whole industry,” added Noonan.

Better Buying and SanMar have also collaborated on a short video that shares the value the company derives from engaging with Better Buying and from improving its supplier relationships. The video also includes interviews with some of SanMar’s suppliers.

“We’re delighted that SanMar has taken this step. Amid the growing global concern around purchasing practices, we have seen a number of our subscriber brands include Better Buying in their sustainability strategies and place purchasing practices at the heart of their business operations,” Dr Marsha Dickson, president and co-founder of Better Buying, said.

“We particularly like the totally anonymous nature of Better Buying, as it makes sure there is no pressure on vendors to be anything other than completely open in their reviews of us. By encouraging other subscribers to the platform, we think we can help drive meaningful change in the way apparel companies work with their vendors beyond just SanMar – moving the needle for the whole industry,” explained Noonan.

“We are used to being rated and ranked by our customers. But having the opportunity for our teams to rate and give feedback on our customers’ performance creates an amazing two-way dialogue that motivates our teams and drives us to want to work more with this customer, because we know they want to hear our feedback, and we have a lot to share,” Siddarth Hirdaramani, director of the global apparel manufacturer Hirdaramani Group who appears in the video, said.

Describing his experience of using the Better Buying platform to rate his customers, Rajiv Naidu, managing director at apparel and garment manufacturer Augustan Corporation, said “The platform is great. It’s very straightforward, very easy to use. It’s very anonymous and also gives you an avenue with which to give your detailed responses or ideas and concerns to the customer without risking any loss of business.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)