The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has announced a revision to its Procurement Policy for Sustainable Natural Rubber, which take effect this month. The revision to the procurement policy established in October 2018 incorporates the policy framework adopted by the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) at its second general assembly in September 2020.
Toyo Tire Corporation has re-examined and updated its natural rubber procurement policy and established this as an independent policy separate from the company’s CSR Procurement Guidelines that prescribe the proper procurement process for the Toyo Tire Group (the Group).
Halfords and Mobivia have forged a joint purchasing alliance relating to own-brand products. The idea is to offer “more effective joint product development and greater innovation in both companies’ motoring and cycling ranges”.
Axle Group Holdings Limited, which incorporates National Tyres and Autocare, National Fleet and Viking Wholesale Tyres, has appointed Alastair Lawrence as group procurement director. Lawrence will be taking over from Peter Harries who retires in December after 11 years with the group. The role will focus on developing and implementing the group purchasing strategy whilst maximising growth and maintaining effective supplier relationships.
Michelin has gained the Supplier Relations and Responsible Purchasing Label (Label Relations Fournisseurs & Achats Responsables, or RFAR), a recognition given to distinguish French companies that demonstrate lasting and balanced relationships with their suppliers. This distinction follows the recent receipt of a certificate of maturity for purchasing practices in relation to the new ISO 20400 sustainable procurement standard.
The aim at Bridgestone Group is to use “100 per cent sustainable materials” by 2050 and beyond, and last year the tyre and rubber company introduced a new procurement policy to steer it towards this end. Under a partnership it began with CSR evaluation specialist EcoVadis in 2018, Bridgestone is now assessing its suppliers’ current sustainability practices and looking at what support may be needed to improve performance.
Hankook Tire is the latest tyre maker to establish a policy setting out social responsibility within the natural rubber value chain. The policy aims to ensure each link in the natural rubber supply chain is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Yokohama Rubber has introduced a procurement policy for sustainable natural rubber based upon the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i) launched by the International Rubber Study Group as well as the main proposals made by the Tire Industry Project (TIP) at the World Rubber Summit 2018 in May. With its policy, the tyre and rubber products manufacturer addresses concerns such as unlawful deforestation, land exploitation, human rights violations, and adverse effects on biodiversity. Not only will Yokohama Rubber adhere to the procurement policy, it will also promote it through its supply chain.
The Michelin Group already uses a solution from global spend management cloud provider Ivalua for the global management of its 5,000 contracts and 5 million invoices a year across 55 countries. The success of those projects has led Michelin to expand the relationship with Ivalua to cover the provision of a fully integrated source-contract process. Ivalua will provide a global sourcing solution that will automate and streamline sourcing processes across Michelin’s buyer teams in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
In spite of alternatives such as guayule and Russian dandelion, the Hevea brasiliensis tree will remain an important source of rubber for tyre manufacturers. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recognises this and has announced a new natural rubber procurement policy. The tyre maker says this new policy “reflects its strong commitment to the responsible sourcing of raw materials” and believes its implementation and adherence will help address deforestation, land grabbing, and human rights in the areas of the world where natural rubber is produced.
A new ‘Global Sustainable Procurement Policy’ has been introduced at Bridgestone Corporation, and the tyre and rubber company believes this policy will help it identify and evaluate qualified suppliers, promote best practices, and serve as a communication and improvement tool for the industry. The policy is applicable to all purchased materials and services, as well as all suppliers globally.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed Maureen Thune as its chief procurement officer, succeeding Mark Purtilar who is retiring from the company.
