Time line – progress to date
The graphic shows how we have developed this approach over a period of
seven years.
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2000/1 |
GUS plc Board approve the Group’s Supply Chain Principles
which are still in force today |
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2001/2 |
Supply Chain Principles supplemented by a detailed Code of
Practice which are used to set the audit framework
External auditors appointed to conduct stand-alone ethical audits
on Argos suppliers for the first time – 36 audits conducted
in the year |
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2002/3 |
54 audits conducted covering 58% of the direct supply base
Supply Chain Principles reviewed and amended |
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2003/4 |
33 audits conducted covering 59% of the direct supply base
Audits extended to include Homebase suppliers |
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2004/5 |
83 audits conducted covering 66% of the direct supply base
Audit results plateau with approximately 40% of suppliers achieving
Grade 3, 4 or 5 (our target grades)
Homebase hosts a supplier seminar on tackling ‘Gangmasters’
Supply Chain Principles amended again to strengthen stance on
trade union rights |
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2005/6 |
132 audits conducted covering 72% of the direct supply base
Code of Practice translated into Mandarin Chinese via a specially
prepared supplier manual and presented to 60 Far East suppliers
Audit results reflect supply chain movement into new territories
like Vietnam
Audit scores published for the first time |
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2006/7 |
165 audits conducted with the programme now covering 85% of
the direct supply base
Code of Practice revised and amended to strengthen support for
workers’ representation
Major review of approach |
As the graphic shows, the past seven years have seen regular steps to
review and improve our standards, and consistent application of independent
auditing to test and improve compliance. Over this period, our auditors
have undertaken more than 450 separate factory audits.
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