Importance of Transparency in Supplier Performance Evaluations

Why process transparency builds long-term trust Customers don’t want to be surprised. They don’t want to guess what’s happening with their parts, or chase someone for updates. What they really want is a supplier who’s in control and that starts with transparency. You don’t need fancy dashboards or real time customer portals. Most of the time, it’s just about being clear and consistent. Here’s what that looks like in real production: 1. Startup reports that match the last approved run 2. Clear communication if a change is needed mid-run 3. A quick update if something unusual shows up even if it’s resolved 4. Sharing cavity pressure or part weight data if the customer asks Transparency doesn’t mean opening the door to every machine parameter. It means being proactive when something changes. It shows that you’re managing the process, not reacting to it. It also helps in pricing discussions. If the customer sees you’ve got a stable process with clear reporting, they’re less likely to push back because they trust what they’re getting. Are you logging enough data to explain what happened last run? Do your techs know how to communicate a deviation when something shifts? Would your customer describe you as consistent, or reactive? Trust gets built in the calm moments not when things go wrong. But transparency is what keeps that trust intact when they do. #CustomerTrust #ProcessStability #InjectionMolding

Are your procurement practices stuck in a "ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL" mindset? We’ve all seen it: A company with strong sustainability goals tries to enforce the same standards across every supplier, expecting one policy to work in vastly different environments. But when it comes to sustainable procurement, what if the key isn’t in replication but flexibility? Take Toyota Motor Corporation, for instance. Their long-standing relationships with suppliers show that collaboration and visibility drive better results than rigid rules ever could. In fact, they describe their interactions as “almost intrusive” but in the best way. This approach ensures both sides remain committed to shared goals, like reducing waste or enhancing resource efficiency, while allowing each partner to bring unique solutions to the table. Imagine this: Rather than prescribing exactly how each supplier should reduce packaging waste, set a shared target say, a 15% reduction. One supplier might use smaller boxes, another might swap materials entirely. Both achieve the goal, but each does it in a way that suits their specific setup. But here’s the trick: For this mindset shift to work, transparency is essential. It’s about creating a culture of openness, where every team and supplier feels empowered to innovate toward that common objective. Consider taking inspiration from the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Which aligns with your company’s values? Could you integrate these into your procurement practices to guide not just one supplier, but your entire supply chain toward a long-term vision? Switching from a prescriptive policy to a shared goal mindset doesn’t just drive sustainability it fosters trust, creativity, and results that everyone can own. So, Is it time to rethink how you define “BEST PRACTICES”?

"But what if we discover something we don't like?"—The unspoken thought many executives have when considering asking their suppliers harder questions about sourcing, safety, and sustainability practices. 🙈 The reality is most brands know very little about their supply chains, and historically that has been by design. The less you know, the less responsibility brands have to take action. Companies are disincentivized to take action and seek transparency. (Ritual launched with open sourcing our supplier names and final place of manufacturing, a bold move in an industry not know for traceability.) 👷♀️ The impact of this lack of rigor is profound, according to human rights experts nearly every supply chain has child or forced labor, this is particularly true for certain high risk materials, minerals, crops, and regional locations. If you receive a dead end with suppliers, the black box tells you they don't know their supply chain, or there is something to hide. 🌍 Not knowing where ingredients come from means companies can't assess or properly measure environmental impacts like carbon, deforestation, impacts to communities and water quality. 🔬 Without more transparency, companies can't take action on chemical safety concerns like hidden PFAS in colorants used in makeup or phthalates in manufacturing equipment. Given the slow progress on traceability, what do you all think it will take to accelerate companies taking action? My answer remains consistent: 1) more consumer pressure and hard questions, 2) improved regulatory requirements that are not focused on checking boxes, and 3) companies and certifying bodies willing to ask hard questions. The biggest risk of all is inaction. #responsiblesourcing #traceability #traceablesupplychains #supplychaintransparency #VMS #madetraceable #scope3 #humanrights #chemicalsafety Ritual Katerina Markov Schneider Hat tip to Alison Taylor for sharing this a while back. Encourage a read of the full report: https://lnkd.in/gbK8SPrB