Business & Money | Sunday 7 June, 2015 2:49 am |

Etihad Airways has challenged vendors from more than 500 local and global businesses, suppliers, commerce and government entities to transform, innovate and collaborate in order to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

The message was given at the Etihad Airways annual vendor symposium, hosted by the airline’s Procurement and Supply Management department, which was themed ‘Partnership in Action’.

The event held at Al Raha Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi was attended by Board Member of Etihad Aviation Group and Etihad Airways, His Excellency Khaleefa Salem Al Mansouri.

Adil Al Mulla, Vice President Procurement and Supply Management of Etihad Airways, said: “We have embarked on an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business transformation journey for our procurement model and processes, which will not only reap vital benefits for Etihad Airways and serve the wider objectives of Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision, but also prove to be immensely valuable for our suppliers.

“This business transformation program is an important building block towards us becoming a world-leading Procurement and Supply Management function.”

The Procurement and Supply Management department recently received three prestigious awards from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). The awards recognised the team’s innovative and collaborative procurement practices that deliver real financial benefits and support Etihad Airways’ growth.

“A procurement function can be as good as its network of suppliers. The relationships we have our suppliers, contractors and business partners have proven exceptionally successful, have made a big contribution to our growth and is crucial to the future success of the airline,” Mr Al Mulla added.

He highlighted the airline’s on-going efforts to increase joint procurement activities with its equity partner airlines and the great opportunities for global companies.

Mr Al Mulla said: “Working with our equity partners enables us to build integrated networks and schedules, develop common products and services, and most importantly identify business and cost synergies. This provides additional opportunities to our suppliers to collaborate tendering and increase their global footprint.”

He also outlined that Etihad Airways’ diverse portfolio of operations provides an extensive range of opportunities for suppliers in various categories such as IT, corporate services, fuel and ground handling, airline services, and sustainability.

During an active workshop with delegates, the Procurement and Supply Management team discussed a range of topics including how to enhance the partnership with Etihad Airways and its equity partners, and encouraged suppliers to provide innovative ideas that mutually benefit both parties.

The symposium concluded with an Etihad Airways presentation of awarding partners who had performed exceptionally in terms of providing reliable service, remarkable and innovative products and supporting the airline’s operations.

Photo caption 1: (left to right) His Excellency Khaleefa Salem Al Mansouri, Board Member of Etihad Aviation Group and Etihad Airways, and Adil Al Mulla, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Procurement and Supply Management, at an Etihad Airways vendor symposium in Abu Dhabi.

Photo caption 2 and 3: Adil Al Mulla, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Procurement and Supply Management, addresses the audience of more than 500 delegates at an Etihad Airways vendor symposium in Abu Dhabi.