Opportunity for members - UNIDO SPX programme

SAOGA and UNIDO SPX

As we have announced last year, SAOGA have included the UNIDO SPX Competitive Supplier Development Programme into our service offerings to members. 

Opportunity for Members until 15 May 2011

SAOGA can offer a few of our members to take part in becoming registered suppliers on the international UNIDO database and get profiled and benchmarked against international standards by specially trained consultants. The programme carries a value of approx. R8,000.  Currently members need to only make a contribution of R300 if they enter before 15 May 2011 and will then 

• be listed on the UNIDO website

• receive an assessment where their company stands versus the comparison group

• receive development guidelines for a competitive improvement process

• be considered for relevant opportunities presented to UNIDO

If you are interested to take part in the programme, please contact ufinckh@offshoreafrica.co.za

Objective of UNIDO SPX

The main objective of the SPX programme is to facilitate the matchmaking between South African suppliers and major buyers within the parameters of the various official financial frameworks. To achieve this, a process with a variety of activities is in place whereby suppliers can become more visible and be sure that they are proposed to buyers. The SPX approach builds on global best practice and consists of four activities:

Supplier Profiling

SAOGA is one of the few selected industrial associations cataloguing locally produced products and production capabilities as well as services of South African suppliers for UNIDO. The questionnaire covering the main contact details and activities of the company can be downloaded directly from the UNIDO website. Once on the profiling database, a supplier becomes visible to buyers. UNIDO also utilises this information to prove SA's capabilities in our negotiations with SOEs and OEMs. 

Benchmarking

The second main activity is the UNIDO benchmarking process. The benchmarking exercise is very valuable in itself as it provides the company with a quick assessment of where it currently is versus its main comparison group. The benchmark is further important in terms of identifying potential gaps or shortcomings which might prevent a supplier of being introduced to a buyer. The outcome of the benchmarking process is development guidelines which a company can use to start the competitiveness improvement process. 

Supplier Capacity Building

SPX Capacity-building supports the suppliers to meet the contract requirements through identifying technology/development support partners. The local SPX team will facilitate the linkages between companies and local development agencies.

Opportunities and Matchmaking

The opportunities which are being put forward by the SOEs and OEMs are critical for the success of this project. These potential opportunities will be scrutinised to ensure a viable business case. Opportunities which are immanent (orders, tenders, etc.) will be placed on the web as Opportunity Alerts. Emails in this regard will also be sent out. Suppliers will then be expected to view the opportunities and respond appropriately.

Advantages for participating Suppliers:

• Company profiled on international database and visible to buyers

• Company benchmarked through international benchmarking programme

• Development support available to close identified gaps

• Potential matchmaking and contracting.

Advantages for participating Buyers:

• Contribution to the CSDP

• Possible identification of competitive local suppliers

• Development of the local supply base

• Potential benefits of local supply, such as reduced inventory requirements, quicker supply, increased security of supply, potential for  collaboration, reduced transport costs, reduced forex risk etc.