A global consumer goods company with more than 300 brands in its portfolio, P&G supplies Gebr. Heinemann with fine fragrances from leading international names such as Hugo Boss, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Lacoste. “The longstanding partnership between Gebr. Heinemann and Procter & Gamble is characterized by excellence, trust and a high level of transparency,” says Inken Menck, Director Purchasing Perfumes and Cosmetics at Gebr. Heinemann. “Procter & Gamble plans with a high level of foresight, and works in cooperation with us to develop successful, exclusive promotions. One example is the ‘Boss in Motion Made for Summer’ campaign, which ran between January and June 2011 and represented a world exclusive for Heinemann Duty Free shops.”

Outstanding logistics, swift enquiry handling and excellent day-to-day cooperation were further reasons behind P&G taking the top spot once again. Its emphasis on client orientation also gained the company high marks, and in particular the fact that it has established a dedicated Gebr. Heinemann team with direct responsibility for all elements throughout the supply chain – from customer service and logistics through to accounts.

Assessment of all these factors delivered a supplier rating of 1.42 (1.00 = highest possible rating), which in turn earned P&G the 2011 Supplier of the Year Award. Last year’s winner La Prairie took second place.

The Supplier of the Year Award sees Gebr. Heinemann use a specific set of criteria to carry out an annual assessment of cooperation with its suppliers. First awarded in 2007, the distinction is designed to constantly reinforce and improve the quality of the company’s cooperation with partners in the industry. “In order for that to be achieved it is vital that suppliers in the perfumes and cosmetics segment understand what Gebr. Heinemann expects of them,” explains Inken Menck. “We have therefore drawn up an objective set of criteria reflecting the requirements of our purchasing, logistics and marketing departments. Annual meetings are used to present the results of our analyses to our suppliers.”

Altogether, 2011 is the fifth time Gebr. Heinemann honour their best supplier in the perfumes and cosmetics segment with this award.

The team at Procter & Gamble is extremely happy to have won the award – but will have to wait to find out where and how it is to be presented. All that can be divulged at this stage is that the event will involve a two-day trip to an as-yet unknown location…