Supply chain
We support our customers along the entire value chain.
Cherry picking for the benefit of our customers
After all, we have plenty of partners. 1 800 small, medium-sized and large companies supply their goods to us and support us with services. We select each one carefully to ensure that they share our values, and review the quality and safety of their products. In our procurement conditions, we clearly state that our supply chain must meet exemplary demands, from start to finish.
1. Our ambition
Ties that stand the test of time
We are fastidious in our selection of suppliers, particularly in the area of paper procurement. Given that paper makes up the largest proportion of our procurement volume across the Group, we know every single one of our suppliers. We are in constant communication with each of these partners and carry out regular audits.
As soon as quality is no longer up to scratch and is not improved, we call it a day.
2. Our actions
If you have your eye on us, you must have plenty to offer
We source wood fibre (whether virgin or recycled), adhesives, inks, coatings, and much more from more than 1 800 partners across Europe. We are always more than happy to pick small companies to be our partners. Our procurement conditions are clear and precisely worded, so it is easier for us to make and review our choice. Our supply chain is measured and judged on how these conditions are met.
No stone left unturned
We check our suppliers regularly. Part of this happens through the due diligence process of self-audits, but we also carry out audits ourselves. Paper is the most important component of our products. To emphasize the high expectations we have of our suppliers, we regularly conduct supplier re-audits at our major paper manufacturers. The topics we examine go beyond the minimum requirements for sustainability certifications, meaning that we also look at product quality, manufacturing processes, and employee training.
As we choose our suppliers carefully and in line with stringent requirements, it is rare that we need to reassess their environmental or social impact in depth. Most of our partners already meet very high standards when it comes to sustainability, but we aim to raise the bar even further.
The due diligence process below applies to direct procurement for production sites within Switzerland:
1. SELF-AUDIT
Every supplier, whether new or existing, carries out an annual self-audit using a Model questionnaire and has to supply the corresponding documentary evidence. We focus on reviewing the requirements listed in the General Terms of Procurement.
2. RISKS
We assess risk criteria across every relevant area and review whether the supplier, the product, or the service display critical issues.
3. MEASURES
If the supplier does not meet our requirements, we ask them to improve and report back.
4. PROGRESS
We then review whether the improvements meet our expectations and, in case of doubt, carry out an audit ourselves. If their progress is unsatisfactory, we bring our collaboration to an end.
- Fig. 2
- Fig. 1
3. Our goals
What we want to achieve
By 2030, we want all our direct suppliers to have achieved ‘category A’ in their self-audit. We use the following measures to consistently implement and enforce our sustainability requirements within the supply chain:
- Our sustainability requirements are put into practice across the entire Model Group and expanded to also cover the procurement of additives.
- We choose suppliers that already satisfy the demands of category A, or help them to get there.
- We are continuing to scale up supplier self-audits.
GRI information
Documenting GRI indicators
This report complies with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and aligns the key aspects of the GRI with the four pillars of the Model Group’s sustainability strategy.
