Businesses set to benefit from exciting procurement service

Local business procurement group – Affinity – will launch its new cost reduction analysis service on Wednesday 15 October.

The valuable new offering, which will be on show at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce B2B Exhibition being held at Norwich City Football Club, could lead to long term savings and efficiencies for scores of companies across the region. Cost reduction analysis involves an in-depth evaluation of a business and provides cost saving opportunities across a wide range of products and services, including utilities, telecoms, office supplies, energy and fuel.

The service will involve a member of Affinity visiting each business to identify procurement opportunities and proposing plans for improvement. They will then continue to evaluate the company’s purchasing to ensure that the plan remains effective. Affinity, which is part of the Anglia Farmers group (AF), is able to drive down costs for businesses by utilising AF’s £250m purchasing power and the market knowledge of its specialist buyers. “Cost reduction analysis has real potential to save the region’s businesses money through better supply chain management. Affinity has access to more than 50 industry specialists, who combined with an extensive network of suppliers, provide effective procurement solutions.

“Our specialist buyers, who are recruited from the industry that they represent, leverage both market knowledge and significant purchasing power. Members are often surprised that Affinity can help with every aspect of their business,” said Affinity general manager, Louis Clabburn. Reassuringly, buyers continually track the markets to ensure that products continue to be sourced at a competitive price.

Louis added: “Affinity is helping to both add value and improve the balance sheet. A growing number of businesses are coming to us to talk about the full range of products and services available. Cost reduction analysis helps to deliver more benefits than traditional product and service procurement.”

Affinity, which was launched in 2009 to deliver the benefits of group purchasing to both homes and businesses, has grown rapidly, with more than 160 businesses joining in the past twelve months.