Using local suppliers “ticks an ESG box”, but there are so many more benefits than just “ticking the box”. Pratap Partnership has considered local suppliers for everything that we need. We have come a long way from being a “Just order it on Amazon” culture to adding a more considered process to our procurement process.

So why use local suppliers?

Personal Relationships & Quality of Service

We enjoy being active in the business communities in which we operate. The SME sector across Yorkshire and the East Midlands is our customer market, so it is only reasonable that we use the sector for our own needs. We have benefitted from building close relationships with the stakeholders at our suppliers – a more efficient way of running the business and one that has certainly lead to a higher quality of service received

Environmental Benefits

Using local suppliers significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation through the need of less fuel for delivery. Additionally, local suppliers are often more attuned to regional environmental regulations and practices, such as the Bradford Clean Air Zone, ensuring that their operations adhere to higher sustainability standards. This alignment can help companies meet their environmental targets and contribute positively to global climate efforts.

We use Yorkshire Office Group (YOG) for both our office furniture needs, and more regularly, our stationary needs. As YOG are a local based supplier, they are used by many of the companies in the same Business Park as us (our Nostell Neighbours as we call them!). YOG often combine distribution plans so that several deliveries can be made to many of the Nostell Neighbours in one trip.

Social Impact

Engaging local suppliers fosters community development by supporting local businesses and creating job opportunities. This practice helps to keep economic value within the community, promoting prosperity and social stability. It’s a win-win: the community thrives, and so does the business.

Yorkshire and the Midlands has been the heartland of Pratap Partnership. We have built the strength of our business, learned and expanded from the support that the region has given to us over the past 25 years. Using local suppliers is one way for us to give back to the community that has supported our team and business over the years.

Governance and Ethical Considerations

From a governance perspective, working with local suppliers can enhance transparency and accountability. It’s easier to conduct due-diligence and ensure supply chains are free from unethical practices; making your supply chain more transparent and reliable. Building strong relationships with local suppliers can also make your supply chain more resilient against global disruptions.

Economic Resilience

Supporting local suppliers also contributes to the economic resilience of a region. By keeping procurement spending local, businesses help to create a more robust local economy; particularly important during global market uncertainties or crises.

Community Engagement and Brand Reputation

People notice when companies prioritise local sourcing and demonstrate they care about their community; and this can enhance their brand reputation. Consumers and stakeholders increasingly favour businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to social responsibility. By supporting local suppliers, companies can build stronger community relations and foster customer loyalty, translating into long-term business benefits.

Hopefully, you’ll remember that we use small and/or local businesses to create Christmas hampers for our staff as mentioned in our previous Quarterly Update. In this Update, we listed all the local businesses used in an aim to raise their profile and bring positive attention and awareness to smaller local companies.

LAST WORD

Incorporating local suppliers into our procurement strategy has not only been a smart business move, but also a critical component of our ESG approach.

In today’s world, where sustainability and social responsibility are more important than ever, thoughtful and proactive procurement practices by prioritising local suppliers is a great way for companies to make a positive impact and achieve significant environmental, social, and governance benefits. All in all, this contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future.