Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has reaffirmed its commitment to building a strong, collaborative and sustainable rail supply chain across the UK, hosting more than 200 industry stakeholders at its Supplier Day and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards in Derby.
The day provided an opportunity for Alstom to share its outlook on market dynamics, and set out expectations for closer and more strategic collaboration with its suppliers.
Alstom also highlighted the scale and impact of its UK supply chain:
- Alstom is a leading buyer in the UK rail market, spending upwards of £720 million over the last year among almost 1,300 British businesses.
- Thirty-three percent of Alstom’s spend during the last 12 months was with UK-based SMEs.
- Around 80% of Alstom’s suppliers are based in the UK, with approximately half classed as SMEs.
- Nearly 11,000 jobs are supported by Alstom across the country through its supply chain.
- Meanwhile, during the last 12 months, around £100 million has been exported by UK suppliers to Alstom entities in 37 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico and the USA.
Over 120 top British and Irish suppliers and customers of Alstom participated in the event, alongside government representatives and industry bodies. Rob Whyte, managing director UK at Alstom welcomed delegates and gave an overview of Alstom’s portfolio and global position as the world’s only pure rail leader.
Following this, Peter Broadley, commercial director UK and Ireland at Alstom offered an outline of potential supplier opportunities with the company over the next 12 months, and across its 37 sites in the UK and Ireland. Meanwhile, Olivier Quindos, Procurement Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, set out their procurement vision, reaffirming a trusted partner status; driving growth and innovation through strategic sourcing and supplier collaboration, ensuring a resilient and agile supply chain.
“We are proud that the vast majority of our spend for our UK operations is with British businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic value across the regions. As we look ahead, our focus is on deepening these relationships – working more strategically with our suppliers to improve competitiveness, reduce time to market and deliver greater certainty through models such as long-term agreements,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK at Alstom.
He added: “Ultimately, delivering the next generation of sustainable mobility in the UK and beyond depends on a strong, innovative and aligned supply chain. By working together, we can unlock shared growth, create lasting social value, and ensure the rail sector continues to play a vital role in supporting communities and economic development across the country.”
Those present at the event also heard panels led by Elaine Clark OBE, chief executive officer at the Rail Forum, and Noel Travers, chairman at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) respectively. Elaine discussed with a range of suppliers about the challenges and opportunities of working in the rail sector, while Noel hosted operators to give an insight of social value, and what they expect from Alstom – and its supply chain – as a customer.
The day concluded with a ‘meet the buyer’ session; a structured business networking opportunity that directly connected Alstom’s supply chain with procurement decision-makers from the company.
Another key highlight of the event was the annual UK and Ireland Supplier Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards ceremony. Nine awards were handed out to recognise both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies who are delivering products and services to Alstom while also improving health and wellbeing, kickstarting economic growth, helping fight climate change and driving equal opportunity – in alignment with the UK Government’s Social Value Model.
Suppliers recognised by Alstom demonstrated impact across a wide range of social value priorities, from forward-thinking apprenticeship programmes to improving colleagues’ health and closing a gender pay gap to science-based solutions that help fight climate change. More than 100 nominations were received from across Alstom’s UK and Ireland supply chain.
Keighley-based Kadel Engineering are one such winner, being awarded the Fight Climate Change (SME) accolade for their efforts in reducing carbon across their operations. Initiatives adopted by Kadel Engineering include replacing all their fluorescent lights with LEDs and installing a more energy-efficient air compressor.
“What a great honour for such a small company like Kadel Engineering to be recognised with an award. It was an extremely proud moment for us and lovely to feel appreciated. The changes we made to fight climate change may seem small but if everyone made little changes towards this goal, it would make a big difference to the future of our planet. We are proud to be an Alstom supplier and look forward to continuing our CSR journey with them,” said Paul Rollins, managing director at Kadel Engineering.
He added: “I thoroughly enjoyed Alstom’s Supplier Day. Hearing the various speakers was enlightening; Alstom is visibly putting a lot of effort into their own CSR, which is fantastic to see. Furthermore, it was inspiring to talk to other suppliers like ourselves and pick up from their experiences with their business ideas and their own CSR journey.”
Image credit: Alstom
