The Group possesses a wide and diverse supplier base. The supplier base is revised in the context of a sustainable supply chain strategy, tailored to the Group’s values, and includes multi-national companies as well as small local businesses, all used for the purposes of purchasing materials,  equipment or services.

This suppliers base includes about 10,000  active suppliers and the Group seeks to cooperate with them aiming at environmental awareness and the application of relevant standards, responsible labour practices and respect of human rights. A typical example of the above is the fact that contractors at industrial facilities routinely participate in training on occupational Health & Safety (see Table 3.9 at "HEALTH & SAFETY" section).

The development and maintenance of a supply chain with added value for the Group; with economic, environmental and socially responsible methods and practices is an ongoing challenge, in line with the Group's vision.

The Group’s suppliers are essential partners in the framework of the achievement of our business objectives who ensure not only for competitiveness and sustainable development, but also affect our financial performance, as well as our relationships with other social partners.

For the above reasons, our partners are selected and evaluated with the objective of improving the Group’s overall performance and sustainable growth. Asides from our evaluation, based on business criteria, in 2014 the relevant evaluation questionnaires were enriched with questions concerning environmental performance and the impact of suppliers’ operations on society. Emphasis is also placed on supporting local communities whereby we prefer to source local suppliers, where possible, and always in accordance with the Procurement Manual, (see Tables 6.2 at "OUR CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY" section for specific details).

As of 2nd semester of 2015, a “compliance clause” of our suppliers, with the principles of the UN Global Compact (in the fields of human rights, labour, environment and corruption) shall be incorporated in new contracts and purchase orders.

On the other hand, the Group aims to be preferred partner of suppliers, adopting common values and principles, through a defined framework of cooperation, in accordance with our Procurement Manual and Code of Conduct; fostering synergies and long-term relationships, consisting of transparency and respect for competitiveness, meritocracy and equal opportunities.

Supply Chain