Sustainability is an increasingly recurring theme in purchasing strategies. The adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices is one of the company's commitments. Waterways of Brazil, an integrated logistics solutions company, to reduce risks in its supply chain and positively impact society.
To act in favor of sustainable development, Hidrovias do Brasil identified its main material themes: climate change, environmental impacts, local and human development, ethics and transparency, health and safety, employee and value chain development.
In this sense, the supply area plays a fundamental role, and one of the actions to achieve its sustainable objectives is the digitalization of purchasing processes, which has been positively impacting the company's entire value chain.
To talk about the subject, we invite Priscilla Padilha, Superintendent of Supplies at Hidrovias do Brasil, to provide details about the evolution of the area and all the achievements within the ESG agenda.
In a chat with Marcelo Pereira, Specialist in Supplier Management at Mercado Eletrônico, Priscila spoke about the path taken to achieve a sustainable area.
Below, check out a summary of this important conversation about how digital transformation of Hidrovias do Brasil has contributed to ESG:
ESG at Hidrovias do Brasil
Hidrovias do Brasil, which operates in the areas of waterway transport, terminal operations, cabotage and service integration, has strong commitment to environmental and social issues. In this context, the supply department develops several actions to make sustainability the company's strategic purpose, including automation of purchasing processes.
To encourage suppliers to adopt environmental, social and governance practices, Hidrovias do Brasil created the seal “Sustainable Partner”, a program that recognizes the most engaged partners. The goal is to have 100% of strategic suppliers approved under these criteria by 2025.
The process of supplier approval It is structured to mitigate risks and meet compliance standards. Companies undergo an initial classification and then a flow of validations in several areas before being hired.
After becoming partners of Hidrovias do Brasil, suppliers are monitored and evaluated in relation to their performance. In addition, they receive support to develop aspects related to sustainability and to align with company practices over time.
A governance is also highlighted by Priscila Padilha as being of extreme importance for the sustainable management of Hidrovias do Brasil. The Integrated Report is an audited document, where the company gathers information about its main initiatives related to ESG aspects. The company's publications can be found this page.
Digital transformation of the purchasing area
The necessity of carefully select suppliers, from large partners, who already have robust sustainable practices, to small local suppliers, who receive support from Hidrovias do Brasil to structure their processes, was one of the main motivations that led the company to begin the digital transformation of the purchasing area.
O scanning process Hidrovias do Brasil's supply chain faced major challenges: communication, training, cultural transformation and team engagement to act strategically were some of them. In this context, leadership played a fundamental role in managing change.
A automation of purchasing processes involved implementation, testing and validation stages, and made it possible to organize and centralize all information. In addition, it has allowed greater control of demand and increased business opportunities for suppliers.
“Our analysts and business partners have embraced the digitalization process with enthusiasm, including training local suppliers with fewer resources. During this period of access to new technologies and methodologies, I have learned in practice that leadership is only improved through major challenges,” says Priscila Padilha.
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