10 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS April/May 2024 www.hpmag.co.uk NEWS Pennine Pneumatics Services (PPS) has achieved a triple ISO certification that recognises its dedication to continual improvement and drive for excellence for its customers, employees and community. The triple certification includes ISO 9001 Quality management systems, ISO 14001 Environmental management systems and ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management systems. Globally recognised, ISO standards help consumers find products and services that are safe, reliable and high quality. For businesses, they provide frameworks in focus areas to drive continual improvement. For PPS this certification shows it is committed to delivering consistent quality in all goods and services, that it is taking control of its environmental impact and is actively managing its waste and resource efficiency, as well as a clear commitment to worker wellbeing. Commented Matt O’Connor, PPS Managing Director commented: “Our certification is in three key subject areas of our business; quality, the environment and health and safety. It is recognition of our commitment to following best practice in these areas. The ISO standards keep us on our toes and ensure we are actively managing our systems for continual improvement. “The industries we work in, we have a duty to ensure the environmental footprint is understood and can be actively managed and to help customers achieve environmental and sustainable goals. “This has been a significant project for our teams across every branch and department of PPS, the certification is testament to every individuals hard work in delivering this”. PPS will now be subject to annual reassessments to ensure it maintains the high standards it has committed to through the ISO certifications. This gives PPS customers peace of mind in the goods and services they receive and keeps everyone within PPS committed to its goals around its environmental impact and health and safety in the workplace. medium-sized enterprises contributed to the survey, enriching its breadth and depth. Key themes that emerged from the survey underscored the enduring challenges faced by MRO procurement professionals, including talent attraction, adverse macroeconomic conditions, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns, and technological advancements. Among the top challenges cited were the imperative to ensure sustainable and ethical procurement practices, enhance asset performance, and navigate reduced operational budgets. Pressures related to inventory cost reduction and the escalation of indirect material expenses, such as MRO supplies, also featured prominently. Emma Botfield, managing director for the UK & Ireland at RS, expressed optimism regarding the heightened engagement of procurement professionals in addressing critical business issues, particularly amidst financial pressures. Botfield emphasised the enduring commitment to the ESG agenda among firms, noting the pivotal role of procurement teams in translating intentions into actionable strategies. The survey revealed a noteworthy willingness among respondents to invest in more sustainable products, with 82% indicating a readiness to pay a premium. Helen Alder, head of knowledge and learning development at CIPS, interpreted this as a positive shift towards long-term thinking, albeit amidst persistent pressure to deliver cost savings and navigate shortterm upheavals. Despite the commendable strides towards sustainability, procurement professionals face multifaceted challenges, including the management of aging assets and risks associated with counterfeit products. Botfield stressed the importance of fostering robust relationships across the organisation, particularly with engineering teams, to identify and prioritise investment needs effectively. Effective supplier management emerged as a linchpin for procurement success, necessitating a re-evaluation of supplier portfolios and enhanced communication strategies. Botfield highlighted the complexity of these issues and underscored the value of trusted partnerships in navigating them effectively. The report paints a nuanced picture of the MRO procurement landscape, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for professionals in the field. The full 2024 Indirect Procurement report can be found at: https://uk.rsonline.com/web/content/m/indirectprocurement-report Triple ISO certification recognises continual improvement and drive for excellence Dan Royle (Head of Operations), Yvonne Gianoncelli (Senior Office Administrator), Matt O’Connor (Managing Director)
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