Purchasing professionals should measure their suppliers on their sustainability efforts as well as criteria such as cost, quality and delivery. That is the advice of Drew Schramm, senior vice president of global supply and quality at office furniture maker Herman Miller of Zeeland, Mich.
At the 93rd International Supply Management Conference in St. Louis, Schramm spoke to a large audience on his company's Green efforts. He said that although most customer's talk about the need to protect the environment, few seem willing to pay extra for green products. "But we believe if we spend time with customers and explain the value, they'll accept higher pricing," he said.
Source: Purchasing, http://www.purchasing.com