Xerox is the world's leading document management technology and services enterprise with revenues of $17.6 billion in 2008 and 57,100 employees worldwide. Founded in 1906 as the Haloid Company, the organisation was renamed Xerox in 1961 and has grown to be a global enterprise currently ranked #147 in the FORTUNE 500.
In 2009 Xerox became the first company to attempt and successfully achieve the CIPS Certification standard of excellence at a global level from the outset. Using satellite audits in Europe and SE Asia in addition to the CIPS 10-step programme of assessment and in-depth analysis of policy, procedures and business practices undertaken in the US, the CIPS audit team reported a high degree of compliance across all geographies.
"The CIPS certification process and results confirmed our belief that we are a great organisation. This achievement and our commitment to continuous improvement provides all of our customers with a degree of confidence in our procurement solutions."
Ken Syme, Vice President, Global Purchasing.
Procurement’s profile in the organisation
The organisation is very committed to purchasing and the benefits of Xerox Global Purchasing (GP). There is very limited ability for non-compliance and a high level of support and influence is clear. The group was transformed in 2006 to create a global purchasing organisation with a significant proportion of its people, including senior decision makers, located in low cost territories close to the suppliers.
The GP team manages 87% of the almost $8 billion that Xerox spends annually. Of the 333 GP team members, 52% are associated with direct purchasing activity and commitment to spend. Of these, 172 staff, (48%) hold external purchasing qualifications or equivalent (including CIPS and Certified Purchasing Manager status) and another 48% have a purchasing or business degree.
Procurement’s challenges
The GP team will continue to support Xerox’s strategic intent “to help people find better ways to do great work” which the organisation achieves by constantly leading in document technologies, products and services that improve its customers' work processes and business results. Combined with helping to strengthen Xerox’s industry-leading position in the marketplace, the GP team will continue to add value, particularly through developing its work in the areas of disposals, , negotiation approaches knowledge management and it’s marketing and selling of purchasing solutions.
Why choose CIPS Certification?
Xerox selected the CIPS to assess its global purchasing organisation because CIPS is the leading international body in the field, and Xerox was keen to work with an organisation that understands globalisation. Xerox strongly believes in continuous improvement and perpetual benchmarking, and felt that the CIPS team brought broad international experience that facilitates this journey of learning and improvement.
Contribution to business improvement
High levels of enthusiasm, belief, commitment and excellent teamwork of GP were noted by the CIPS audit team throughout the Certification programme. Now endorsed by CIPS accreditation, the strong foundation of GP with its adherence to process, comprehensive strategic sourcing and focus on ensuring value to the organisation all underpin Xerox’s global success and award-winning status.