Earlier this week, Synthotech Business Development Director and former IGEM President, Simon Ayley, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on a supplier’s perspective of working with GDN procurement teams.

Simon kicked-off with a brief summary of the types of procurement events that he has been involved with over a career spanning 20 years. He then split the presentation into two sections. The first focused on sharing experiences with the supply chain – how to find “proper” opportunities for sale of goods or services, and the importance of evidence-based business cases.

The second was aimed at giving feedback to the GDN procurement representatives from a supplier’s perspective.  This highlighted the need for procurement to provide clearly defined processes with timescales, but also to become involved with all aspects of projects and products at a much earlier stage.  The presentation also raised challenges regarding the procurement of products developed under ofgem NIC/NIA funding mechanisms, and the need for GDN’s to share data such that fully-informed business cases can be developed from the start.

Thanks to IGEM for organizing such a great event, and for reinvigorating the Industrial Affiliates Section.

IGEM will include a full write-up in a future issue of Gas International, but should you wish to discuss in more detail please contact us here 

Simon Ayley delivering his presentation.