Siemens Mobility UK improves sustainable procurement to benefit their business and supply chain

Siemens Mobility has a significant UK footprint and continues to invest in local economies employing over 5,000 people across more than 30 sites, including manufacturing facilities at Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, Chippenham in Wiltshire, and Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Siemens Mobility covers the entire ecosystem of rail transport: predictive maintenance and monitoring, digital infrastructure, and state-of-the-art trains and locomotives.

Siemens Mobility’s aim is to increase sustainable procurement in a consistent and aligned manner that will contribute to wider sustainability ambitions across the business, such as decarbonisation and social value generation. ​

Evaluation of the Current Maturity Level: Action Sustainability conducted a comprehensive assessment of Siemens Mobility’s procurement operations, aligning with ISO 20400 standard. This assessment considered client requirements, as well as legislative and regulatory needs. Stakeholder interactions were incorporated to evaluate the actual implementation of sustainable procurement practices. The resulting evaluation report highlighted Siemens’ strengths, areas needing improvement, and provided detailed implementation insights.

Developing an Action Plan: Using a methodological approach, we developed an action plan for Siemens that aligns with their timelines and requirements. These commitments were designed to reflect the global objectives and local considerations of Siemens’ operations. Additionally, we accounted for the evolving nature of sustainability, client needs, and upcoming regulatory requirements.

• Sustainable Procurement Maturity Level: The evaluation provides strategic direction for sustainable procurement, aligning with ISO 20400 principles to create a robust approach to Siemens’ procurement processes and category management. It outlines clear themes that can be translated into tangible outcomes, improving adherence to regulations and standards, mitigating risks, and aligning with global corporate sustainability goals and values.
• Triple Bottom Line Effect: Social value is at the heart of Siemens’ practices, fostering a holistic approach to sustainable procurement and increasing trust among stakeholders. The roadmap and action plan encourage innovation and the adoption of more sustainable practices within operations, enhancing efficiency as well.
• Forward-Looking Vision: The evaluation will foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, strengthening relationships with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders. It has paved the way for Siemens to reach the next level of sustainable procurement.

Lessons Learned

• Methodological Action Plan: The action plan, based on a proven methodology and business elements, ensures relevance, impact, and a focus on outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: Sustainable procurement is an ongoing process that requires businesses to adapt and implement practices aligned with the triple bottom line approach.