SBO ¬ Sourcing & Buying Office

Maximizing Value and Reducing Supply Chain Risks
A well-managed procurement process enables companies to reduce total costs, increase product quality, and improve market competitiveness. However, determining where and how to source the materials or semi-finished products needed for production can be a complex undertaking: cultural differences, language barriers, hidden transportation costs and duties, as well as regulatory constraints are just some of the obstacles. In our Sourcing & Buying Office service, we support SMEs through every phase of the purchasing and supplier selection process, with the objective of identifying the most reliable, competitive partners that meet the company's quality standards.
Our approach combines analysis of direct and indirect costs (Best Landed Cost Study) with on-site supplier mapping and validation, through RFI (Request for Information) and RFQ (Request for Quotation), as well as conducting in-person or remote audits to verify candidates' financial strength and production capacity.
Added Value and Key Activities
- Best landed cost study: Comparative analysis across different countries and suppliers, including transportation costs, customs duties, timelines, and potential logistical challenges.
- Supplier sourcing & auditing: Research of specialized suppliers, with facility visits to assess production standards, sustainability, and compliance with local regulations.
- Technical evaluation and prototyping: Management of sampling phases, quality testing, and validation of prototypes or initial production batches to ensure specification compliance.
- Contracting and negotiation: Drafting and support in negotiating purchase contracts, defining clear clauses regarding quality, delivery times, penalties, and dispute resolution.
- Order management and quality control: Creation of verification procedures (Quality Control Plan), with inspections at various stages of production and shipping to minimize returns and post-sale disputes.
- Integrated logistics: Planning and management of land, sea, or air shipments, also through collaboration with qualified freight forwarders, to ensure delivery punctuality and cost optimization.
In a context where global markets are increasingly interconnected, the Sourcing & Buying service offers companies the peace of mind of relying on suppliers that are adequate from quality, organizational, and financial perspectives. Trusting procurement professionals means minimizing risks and waste, freeing up time and resources to dedicate to core business and product innovation.