SanMar Corporation (PPAI 110788) has made its Purchasing Practices Index scores publicly available in the name of embracing full transparency and accountability. The Issaquah, Washington-headquartered supplier’s index scores are produced by the Better Buying Institute, an organization that provides organizations with data-driven insights to help drive lasting improvements in global purchasing practices that drive profitability while protecting workers and the environment.

The scores are based on anonymous feedback from SanMar’s suppliers, which is aggregated via Better Buying’s proprietary algorithm, analyzed for trends and turned into actionable insights. SanMar notes that this 360-degree feedback builds a culture of constant improvement, helps create a more resilient supply chain and forges stronger supplier partnerships.

SanMar first subscribed to Better Buying in 2019 and has now taken part in two consecutive ratings cycles. The company’s Better Buying Scorecard outlines its overall score for 2021 in seven key purchasing practice categories. The results show how the company’s ratings from their suppliers have improved, stayed the same or declined from previous years, and how those ratings compare against industry benchmarks.

SanMar has also publicly shared its 2021 Company Report, which provides a detailed breakdown of how suppliers rated the company on specific purchasing practices, as well as suggested priorities for improvement. The report also includes anonymized, open-ended comments from suppliers detailing examples of best practices and suggestions about how the company might improve in each of the seven key purchasing categories.

“We have agreed to share our Better Buying 2021 Scorecard and Company Report because we believe transparency and leadership are essential to being a great partner to our global vendors,” says Pat Noonan, SanMar’s chief product officer. “We believe in strong, fair partnerships with our factories and want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help our vendors succeed.”

Better Buying and SanMar have also collaborated on a short video that shares the value the company derives from engaging with Better Buying and from improving its supplier relationships. The video also includes interviews with some of SanMar’s suppliers.

“We’re delighted that SanMar has taken this step,” says Dr. Marsha Dickson, president and co-founder of Better Buying. “Amid the growing global concern around purchasing practices, we have seen a number of our subscriber brands include Better Buying in their sustainability strategies and place purchasing practices at the heart of their business operations.”

Noonan adds, “We particularly like the totally anonymous nature of Better Buying, as it makes sure there is no pressure on vendors to be anything other than completely open in their reviews of us. By encouraging other subscribers to the platform, we think we can help drive meaningful change in the way apparel companies work with their vendors beyond just SanMar—moving the needle for the whole industry.”

SanMar’s score card, company report and case study are available for download.