Supply chain: Reinforcing our values globally
Solvang pays close attention to ethics and sustainability among our suppliers. This yielded solid results in 2024. Meet Solvang’s supply chain manager Tanja Øvrebø Hunshamar.
TOOLS: Two years ago, Solvang started developing our own tool for benchmarking and risk-management of supplier conduct. The tool contains a database which can cross-check companies, business conduct reports, contracts and other documentation. The system has been delivered by Profitbase and was operational throughout 2024. It has been able to provide Solvang with valuable insight into our supply chain.
«We have identified supplier contracts as an area of focus, where Solvang can turn ethical requirements into real market behaviour», comments Supply Chain Manager Tanja Hunshamar at Solvang.
Widened scope
Solvang is a member of Incentra, a Norwegian marine purchasing organization which promotes agreements with suppliers on behalf of ship and rig owners.
In 2024, Mrs. Hunshamar at Solvang was appointed chair member of the organization’s negotiation committee.
«Solvang seizes the opportunity to advocate a wider scope for sustainability, ethics and transparency within the marine value chain», states Mrs. Hunshamar.
Strategic importance
In 2024, Solvang reinforced our due diligence practices. Nearly 200 of Solvang’s largest subcontractors in terms of sales were prompted to commit to Solvang’s social responsibility guidelines.
«The digital survey is a quick task for our suppliers, and suppliers should by no means fear the consequences of not complying. In stead, it will pose an opportunity to improve - mutually», states Mrs. Hunshamar.
One outcome of aligning suppliers with high standards of conduct is that Solvang attains strategic flexibility to actually improve the supply chain. One win has been to add human rights and environmental sustainability as key performance indicators.
Supplier audits
As part of our corporate governance, Solvang carries out due diligence according to the Norwegian Transparency Act. This means auditing suppliers’ actions within anti-bribery, responsible sourcing of minerals, ethical conduct in conflict areas or environmental performance. All documentation is being kept in the aforementioned database tool.
Mandatory prequalification of third-party vendors ensures a fact-based, fair and consistent practice of evaluation at all times. Stakeholder dialogue is central to promoting Solvang’s values of mutual respect, team spirit, and quality.
«Solvang stands ready to assist all suppliers who share our objective of continuous improvement. This is all about mutually improving ourselves» states Mrs. Hunshamar.
SOlvang's csr guidelines
Solvang’s ethical guidelines are based on the UN Global Compact, covering environment, corruption, workers rights and human rights. Aspiring suppliers should as a minimum have similar CSR targets and commit to the following:
