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Karistem accompanies the Louvre in the purchase of eco-friendly workwear
Paris, January 6, 2014. Work clothes which are 100% organic fair trade cotton, manufactured without harmful chemicals, adapted to a company’s product distribution, with staff satisfied by the style of the proposed new outfits, and all for a global saving of 4 %. Mid-2013, by integrating sustainable procurement while renewing its “public procurement held image”, the Louvre Museum has shown that it is possible to maintain the quality of products purchased, ensure the support of 1,300 employees involved and make financial savings. To do this, the Louvre was accompanied by Karistem Corporate Consulting’s Sustainable Development Divison.
The renewal of this public procurement related specifically to workwear for staff in contact with the public (suits, shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, ties and other accessories), with an annual budget of over €800,000. “It’s an important public procurement for the Louvre, both in terms of working conditions for our agents and for our image vis-à-vis the public, as well as for the budget”, reflects Farida Laidaoui, Assistant Director of Human Resources, responsible for sustainable development and in charge of purchasing logistics in the Louvre. “Integrating sustainable purchasing criteria into this public procurement for the first time was far from being neutral, especially as it forced us to rethink our habits.”
A new specification
Social and environmental claims of suppliers, product traceability, using 100% organic and fair trade cotton (Max Havelaar , AB … ), limitation of harmful chemicals and toxic solvents in the manufacture and maintenance of products (Oeko- Tex or equivalent) … The new specification was , in fact, marked by the inclusion of many sustainable criteria compared to previous public procurment. “But what is quite interesting is that the economic levers identified in this tender point in the direction of sustainable development: harmonization of colours used, removal of the less popular models, product renewal demand rather than automatically twice a year, etc.“, says Peter Ravenel, Director in the Division of Sustainable Development firm Karistem Corporate Consulting.
There were shared levers among representative staff, naturally very sensitive to their work clothes, and the agency DTalent responsible design. “One of the key factors of success in this type of project is to set goals in consultation with the staff as sustainable development requires making choices that must be understood and accepted by future users”, says Farida Laidaoui . “In the case of the Louvre Museum, the staff were also a very interesting source of proposals”, says Peter Ravenel.
Another virtuous decision: assigning this public procurement by item type. Turning to specialized manufacturers rather than a generalist, the Louvre has thus been offered cheaper products. “Contrary to popular belief, mass purchases do not always saves money. This public procurement is the best example”, says Peter Ravenel. Out the seven manufacturers who applied, the Louvre thus identified three ( Elve , Ox’Bridge and Regain ) against one in the public procurement before. Note that a specific part of the procurement was concerned with the distribution of clothes to agents, this being reserved for a suitable company and sector, won by l’Esat AFLPH .
Nearly 87 % satisfied agents
Today, according to the latest satisfaction survey, 87% of workers are satisfied with the proposed new outfits . “A very encouraging figure” for Farida Laidaoui that , in the context of a continuous improvement process with different vendors, making some adjustments in the public procurement for a period of 4 years. “Through this example, the Louvre Museum demonstrates its commitment as an employer in a sustainable development. The results encourage us to continue in this direction”, she says.
For his part, Pierre Ravenel believes that “this call demonstrates once again that the introduction of sustainability criteria is not more expensive and detrimental to the quality of purchased products.” He added: “On the contrary, it is not certain that the Louvre would have reached its objectives without these criteria.”
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Karistem Corporate Consulting briefly
Karistem Corporate Consulting (KCC) is a consulting firm specializing in strategy and transformation. Since 2004, KCC develops and implements major transformation projects supported by the Exectutive Managament to improve the competitiveness of the heart of business and / or support functions to align the business strategy. KCC’s approach is results-oriented and puts people at the heart of each transformation. KCC is committed (1) the involvement and ownership of the change by the largest number of people and (2) on fast, major and lasting results.
Find more information on : www.karistem-consulting.com
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Mail: sebastien.de-Boisfleury@karistem.com