From reactive to proactive: Evolving your supplier relationship

A smooth PPE procurement process is key to protecting your workforce.

Your PPE supplier can either be an ally to your business or an unnecessary stress. 

Order delays, poor communication, and stock shortages are all good reasons to switch to a proactive supplier. 

If you’re looking to evolve your supplier relationship, we can help. 

This guide covers:

• The benefits of partnering with SMI.
• How to find a PPE supplier you can trust. 
• The benefits of switching to a proactive PPE supplier. 
• The difference between a reactive and proactive supplier relationship. 

WHAT IS A REACTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN?

Reactive supply chains do exactly what the name says - they react to problems, rather than planning ahead to avoid them. 

You’re likely working with a reactive supplier if you’ve experienced: 

• Order delays 
• Inconsistent service 
• Poor communication
• Lack of stock transparency 
• No prevention plan for common issues 

Does waiting ages for email responses and confusion over delivery schedules sound familiar?

If so, the chances are you’re ordering PPE from a reactive supplier. 

These suppliers tend to prioritise sales instead of good service and good relationships with their clients.

HOW DO SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS AFFECT BUSINESSES?

Working with a reactive supplier can impact both the safety of your team and your business success. 

While solving problems as soon as possible is important, it’s better to work with a supplier who is committed to consistently delivering excellent service.

Ordering PPE from a low-quality supplier can cause: 

• No PPE on Day 1 - order delays can leave new starters without essential PPE.
  
• Non-compliance - you won’t meet HSE regulations if PPE orders are late and your team has to work without protection.
  
• Inconsistent stock levels - lack of stock transparency leads to wasted time and money, as you’ll need to find an alternative supplier to fill the gaps.
• Lack of trust - inconsistent communication and frequent order issues can damage the supplier-customer relationship.

WHAT IS A PROACTIVE SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP? 

A proactive supplier relationship is when the supplier plans ahead to stop issues from happening in the first place.

The result? Less confusion, frustration, and time wasted.

Proactive PPE suppliers will give you: 

• Full transparency 
• Strategic planning 
• Consistent service 
• Innovative solutions 
• Reliable communication 

Proactive suppliers will share stock levels and offer advice on the best PPE for your workforce so you’re always one step ahead.

Problems can still happen, but proactive suppliers like SMI provide solutions tailored to your business.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REACTIVE AND PROACTIVE PPE SUPPLIER? 

Still unsure of the difference between a reactive and proactive PPE supplier? 

Let’s break it down: 

REACTIVE SUPPLIER	PROACTIVE SUPPLIER
Inconsistent service	Reliable, consistent service
Poor communication	Responsive, clear communication
No stock monitoring	Real-time inventory metrics
No long-term support	Strategic, long-term partnership
Lack of transparency	Clear stock, costs, and ESG updates
Deals with problems when they happen	Strategically plans to prevent problems

THE BENEFITS OF EVOLVING YOUR SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP 

PPE procurement shouldn’t be stressful. Switching to a single source, proactive supplier can make your life a lot easier.

Here are the key benefits: 

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION 

A proactive PPE supplier won’t leave you waiting. 

Instead of unread emails and unanswered calls, contacting your PPE supplier will be easy. 

At SMI, we offer a maximum 3-hour email response time and provide clear, regular updates. 

Got a question or need advice?
Your account manager is always responsive and ready to help. 

CONSISTENT STOCK LEVELS 

It’s frustrating when your go-to PPE is out of stock.

Proactive suppliers will plan ahead and keep you updated on stock levels, so you never have to leave your team unprotected.

Choose a supplier that makes sure the PPE you need is available, exactly when you need it.

Did you know? SMI offers 97% stock availability on over 25,000 products.

HIGH-QUALITY PPE 

Proactive suppliers care about your team’s safety. This means they'll only supply you with PPE from trusted brands that meet HSE standards.

With HSE tracking included in your MY-SMI® account, it’s easy to stay compliant.  

TAILORED SERVICE 

Every business is different. 

PPE requirements vary significantly, and a proactive supplier will know exactly what protection your workforce needs. 

Your supplier may visit your site, ask questions, and create custom solutions to provide the best service for you. 

SAVE TIME AND MONEY 

Are you tired of wasting time chasing orders and returning incorrect items? 

Is ordering PPE from other sources to fill gaps in your supply costing you money? 

These issues can easily be avoided by partnering with a reliable PPE supplier. 

It’s easy to track orders and manage costs with a MY-SMI® account.

We’ll keep you updated with your orders and make sure your PPE is right for your budget. 

FINDING A STRATEGIC PPE SUPPLIER 

With so many suppliers available, knowing who to choose can feel overwhelming. 

Always find out this information before committing to a supplier: 

• What are their ESG goals? 
• What customer support do they provide?
• Do they offer a Service Level Agreement?
• Do they provide stock level transparency?
• Do they offer a custom service tailored to your needs?

TOP TIP: Do your research first to save time, stress, and money. Reactive suppliers try to put out fires. Proactive suppliers stop the fires from starting in the first place.

EVOLVE YOUR SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP 

SMI is the proactive PPE supplier you’ve been looking for. 

Easily protect your workforce by ordering all of your PPE and workwear from a single source supplier. 

Here are just some of the benefits: 

• 97% stock availability
• Full ESG transparency 
• Site visits from our team 
• Real-time inventory metrics
• Maximum 3-hour email response time
• Simple, fast online PPE ordering portal 
• Responsive and dedicated account manager 
• Custom catalogues tailored to your business needs 

Want to learn more about partnering with SMI?
Give our friendly team a call on 0330 441 3500.

FAQS

Why is it important to have good relationships with your suppliers?

There are many benefits to developing a good relationship with your PPE supplier.

These include: 

• Expert advice 
• Custom support 
• Reliable service 
• Faster problem-solving 
• Improved communication 

Don’t settle for being just another client. Choose a PPE supplier that feels like an extra member of your team. 

What is the impact of an unreliable supply chain?

An unreliable PPE supplier can put your workforce at risk. 

Keeping every team member protected isn’t easy when you’re dealing with inconsistent stock levels, delivery times, and product quality.  

This is why it’s so important to partner with a proactive supplier.

Why do customers want relationships with suppliers?

Building good relationships with suppliers will mean you’re getting the best out of the service. Your supplier will feel like an extension of your team and know what you need probably before you do!

When you partner with SMI, your account is looked after by a dedicated manager. We’re here to help you make sure you have all of the PPE you need, when you need it.