Exclusive Karen Dempsey Waitrose plans to strengthen its relationships with suppliers by giving them access to its systems. From this month, Waitrose is rolling out a new holistic system called PCW Connect ­ Product Control Workbench ­ to manage the development, introduction and life cycle of new lines. Director of buying Steven Esom said the benefit to Waitrose of the system was that it broke down internal and external barriers and took administration and delays out of the relationship with suppliers. The system would allow suppliers to take a more active part in the management of their lines, he added. PCW Connect has already been trialled with 12 suppliers and Esom said response from both buyers and suppliers had been enthusiastic. "It gives suppliers a lot more control as they know where their products are in the process," he said. "It's an open system; if there is a delay, it's very visible." Esom added that this new system typified the long-term partnership approach Waitrose strived for. "Suppliers are part of the team," he said. "The more we co-operate the more we can grow our business." {{NEWS }}

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