AFRICA place to minimise such a high figure and right now , illicit trade is significantly lower at 20 percent .”
The controversy around the tobacco industry has presented challenges for BAT despite its reputation , as suppliers and partners are weary of the suspicion that still rests within the industry .
Continuous improvement Procurement has played a critical role in the success and sustainability of BAT . Segun Abati outlines the key objective of procurement , to provide smart spend management that is future fit and marries closely with the wider business strategy of BAT .
“ We drive continuous improvement to the business through supplier innovation and ensuring we have a value-added relationship with our suppliers ,” he says .
“ Our way of working is to make procurement a competitive advantage through strong market intelligence , having enough knowledge of the market to bring it to our choice of materials , our products and the services we offer .”
The sustainability of the BAT ties into the overall economy of the company , to support and develop the local community through local suppliers . For a company like BAT , choosing the right suppliers is important in this market .
“ Being financially sound and getting the materials and processes through sustainable sources is very important ,” says Kyalo .
BAT ensures that the suppliers it works with
“ BAT is a very aspirational company and has a strong reputation of being a good corporate citizen , supporting local businesses and making sure we share our ideas and grow the communities we operate in ”
– Segun Abati , Procurement Business Manager - Operations
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