Joining forces for positive impact

Action and ImpactBuying have partnered to bring transparency to Action’s many supply chains, from cleaning products to food, and from ‘Do It Yourself products’ to multimedia. Data from more than 125 Action suppliers and over 1,500 factories have been mapped on the ImpactBuying Platform. Key social compliance insights are presented in clear dashboards. A partnership for impact at scale that has just begun.  

Transparency

Transparency is key in being able to identify supply chain risks, and it allows companies to create positive social and environmental impact. “We jointly aim to improve the circumstances of workers and their families and lower the environmental impact of the products”, says Laurien Dwars, Social Compliance Specialist. With a rapidly changing assortment and a large number of suppliers, having full transparency in the supply chain is a very challenging task. Especially for those product categories where requests for transparency and social compliance are not yet common. “In fact, in some categories we are the first client ever to ask questions about production locations and social compliance” says Laurien. Challenging or not, Action has already achieved 100% final product manufacturer transparency for all its private label products (Action owned brands) in 2022. For all its white label products (brands owned by Actions suppliers), Action aims to be fully transparent by 2025.  

Supply chain management 

Action and ImpactBuying started their partnership in 2021. ImpactBuying is a B-corp, that was founded 14 years ago and helps companies gain insights into their supply chains. “Our mission is to help companies understand their supply chains and the sustainability risks in them, in order for them to use these insights to create positive impact with their buying power”, says Leontien Hasselman-Plugge, Co-CEO at ImpactBuying. “We have been working with almost all the Dutch food retailers for many years and can also count various non-food retailers in North-West Europe to our client base”. Leontien also mentions that working with Action is completely different: “No other client has such a rapidly evolving assortment. We are forced to learn and improve every day. But we do so in a very pleasant cooperation”.  

Strong supplier relationships 

The initial focus has been on the private label products. The target of 100% transparency to tier 1 has been achieved. As of 2022, white label products also entered the scope. “We are really proud of our suppliers and their willingness to collaborate”, says Laurien. “The long-term relationships with our suppliers have helped in creating a shared commitment.” Leontien agrees: “We have definitely noticed that the buyers of Action have built strong relationships with their suppliers”. Still, the team of 70 people from ImpactBuying works in shifts to accommodate suppliers in all different time zones with their data collection process. “This personal touch is key to creating trust next to the necessary technology. In the end, it is all about providing a safe and secure system in which confidentiality is guaranteed” says Leontien. 

Strong supplier relationships 

The initial focus has been on the private label products. The target of 100% transparency to tier 1 has been achieved. As of 2022, white label products also entered the scope. “We are really proud of our suppliers and their willingness to collaborate”, says Laurien. “The long-term relationships with our suppliers have helped in creating a shared commitment.” Leontien agrees: “We have definitely noticed that the buyers of Action have built strong relationships with their suppliers”. Still, the team of 70 people from ImpactBuying works in shifts to accommodate suppliers in all different time zones with their data collection process. “This personal touch is key to creating trust next to the necessary technology. In the end, it is all about providing a safe and secure system in which confidentiality is guaranteed” says Leontien. 

Supply chain management 

Action and ImpactBuying started their partnership in 2021. ImpactBuying is a B-corp, that was founded 14 years ago and helps companies gain insights into their supply chains. “Our mission is to help companies understand their supply chains and the sustainability risks in them, in order for them to use these insights to create positive impact with their buying power”, says Leontien Hasselman-Plugge, Co-CEO at ImpactBuying. “We have been working with almost all the Dutch food retailers for many years and can also count various non-food retailers in North-West Europe to our client base”. Leontien also mentions that working with Action is completely different: “No other client has such a rapidly evolving assortment. We are forced to learn and improve every day. But we do so in a very pleasant cooperation”.  

Transparency

Transparency is key in being able to identify supply chain risks, and it allows companies to create positive social and environmental impact. “We jointly aim to improve the circumstances of workers and their families and lower the environmental impact of the products”, says Laurien Dwars, Social Compliance Specialist. With a rapidly changing assortment and a large number of suppliers, having full transparency in the supply chain is a very challenging task. Especially for those product categories where requests for transparency and social compliance are not yet common. “In fact, in some categories we are the first client ever to ask questions about production locations and social compliance” says Laurien. Challenging or not, Action has already achieved 100% final product manufacturer transparency for all its private label products (Action owned brands) in 2022. For all its white label products (brands owned by Actions suppliers), Action aims to be fully transparent by 2025.  

Action and ImpactBuying have partnered to bring transparency to Action’s many supply chains, from cleaning products to food, and from ‘Do It Yourself products’ to multimedia. Data from more than 125 Action suppliers and over 1,500 factories have been mapped on the ImpactBuying Platform. Key social compliance insights are presented in clear dashboards. A partnership for impact at scale that has just begun.  

Joining forces for positive impact