I. Summary 2
II. Introduction 2
III. Discussion 4
IV. Analysis 7
SWOT Analysis
V. Conclusion 12
VI. References 13
VII. Appendix 15
12 principles by the Responsible Sourcing Policy
5 Levers for change
Global Reporting Initiative G3 Index
Millenium Development Goals
Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Unilever 's Sustainable Living Plan with turnovers from 2009, 2010* and 2020** 3
Figure 2 - Unilever 's Greenhouse Gas Footprint 5
Figure 3 - Leaders in sustainability, % of analysts polled 6
Figure 4 - Kraljic 's Matrix of Unilever 's Supply Positioning 7
Figure 5 - Market Segmentation Matrix 8
Figure 6 - Swot Analysis Table 10
Summary
This report’s aim is to study and understand how Unilever builds its relationships with suppliers and partners in order to achieve a worldwide reference supply chain. After that, a link between relationships and Unilever’s objective to achieve a sustainable supply chain will be drawn. Subsequently a SWOT analysis regarding the aforementioned topics and some other external topics (e.g. emerging market development situation) will be done in order to relate the Strengths and Opportunities to the Weaknesses and Threats the firm faces. Finally, recommendations for improvement will be made, taking what has been analysed in consideration, to overcome weaknesses and threats.
Along this report, explanations will be given for the firm’s turnover drop from €51billion in 2012 to €49billion in 2013, decision to seek a sustainable supply chain, and reasons behind relationships with high level of collaboration, coordination and cooperation.
Introduction
In the year of 1930, the British ‘Lever Brothers’ margarine and soap producer joint ventured the Dutch butter and margarine market leader ‘Margarine Unie’, creating Unilever. Through the years, Unilever expanded its product range and set operations around the globe, turning itself into a globalised company acting effectively in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. However,
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