Alstom shows commitment to UK supply chain with over £720m spend

Train-maker Alstom has revealed it spent more than £720 million over the past year with UK suppliers.

The firm, which has its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, said it bought from almost 1,300 British-based suppliers over the last 12 months, supporting 11,000 jobs in the process.

Alstom revealed the scale of its support for UK suppliers at its annual Supplier Day and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards.

Rob Whyte, UK managing director at Alstom, said: “We are proud that the vast majority of our spend for our UK operations is with British businesses, supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic value across the regions.

“As we look ahead, our focus is on deepening these relationships – working more strategically with our suppliers to improve competitiveness, reduce time to market and deliver greater certainty through models such as long-term agreements.

“Ultimately, delivering the next generation of sustainable mobility in the UK and beyond depends on a strong, innovative and aligned supply chain.

“By working together, we can unlock shared growth, create lasting social value, and ensure the rail sector continues to play a vital role in supporting communities and economic development across the country.”

The Supplier Day and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, was attended by more than 200 industry stakeholders.

The event provided an opportunity for Alstom to share its outlook on market dynamics and set out expectations for closer and more strategic collaboration with its suppliers.

It also saw the firm highlight the scale and impact of its UK supply chain.

Around 80% of Alstom’s suppliers are based in the UK, with approximately half classed as SMEs.

Almost 90% of its spend over the last year was with British suppliers and 33% of Alstom’s spend during the last 12 months was with UK-based SMEs.

Meanwhile, during the last 12 months, around £100 million has been exported by UK suppliers to Alstom entities in 37 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico and the US.

At the Supplier Day, Peter Broadley, commercial director UK and Ireland at Alstom offered an outline of potential supplier opportunities with the company over the next 12 months, and across its 37 sites in the UK and Ireland.

Those present also heard panels led by Elaine Clark OBE, chief executive of the Rail Forum, and Noel Travers, chairman at the Railway Industry Association.

Elaine discussed with a range of suppliers about the challenges and opportunities of working in the rail sector, while Noel hosted operators to give an insight of social value, and what they expect from Alstom – and its supply chain – as a customer.

The day concluded with a ‘meet the buyer’ session; a structured business networking opportunity that directly connected Alstom’s supply chain with procurement decision-makers from the company.