DHL 2008 Annual Report Download - page 84

Deutsche Post World Net Annual Report 2008
Our success depends on the skills and calibre of our employees. For this reason,
we extended our Fit Procurement programme in the year under review and con-
ducted subject-speci c training courses focusing primarily on how to manage virtual
global teams.
Procurement with greater focus on the environment
 e principal procurement initiatives during the year attached a high priority
to environmental aspects of our business. For instance, we purchased computers that
are certi ed as environmentally friendly and energy-e cient. In Germany, we switched
most of our electricity supply to renewable energies;   of the electricity consumed
by our corporate headquarters and more than   of the electricity consumed by
our branches now comes from eco-friendly sources. In addition to the percentages of
renewable energy that make up the power supply in Germany, this is realised indirectly
by purchasing certi cates from the Renewable Energy Certi cate System .
Since , our Green Team – made up of procurement managers from various
regions and product groups – takes care of the environmental aspects of procurement.
 ey have drawn up a Green Procurement Policy that requires all our major sup pliers
to provide information about any activities that impact the environment and to specify
their carbon footprint. Furthermore, the team works together with suppliers to develop
energy-saving solutions.
Work more closely with customers and suppliers
We have stepped up our co-operation with our internal business partners and
increased the First Choice activities. For example, we improved both our internal work ows
and the interfaces with internal partners and suppliers. An example is the assignment
of temporary sta at the  facility in Brussels where we are now able to locate the
right specialist more quickly when needed, resulting in lower recruitment costs.
Together with its business partners, Procurement regularly reviews the service
quality of our key suppliers in order to identify and eliminate potential weaknesses at
an early stage. We rely primarily on strategic partnerships to optimise costs and ensure
high quality and  exibility in the supply chain. In the reporting year, nine suppliers
were the best at meeting these requirements. We recognised them at our  rst Global
Supplier Day for exceptional, substantially improved and innovative services.
Since , all standard contracts have included our Code of Conduct for
suppliers. In this way, we ensure that all the major companies we work with meet our
ethical and environmental standards.
Research and development
As a service provider, the Group does not engage in research and development
activities in the strict sense, and therefore has no signi cant expenses to report in this
connection.
Strategy and goals, page 33
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