Diageo has honoured materials, packaging and service delivery partners at its second annual Diageo North America Supplier Awards, with more than 130 guests in attendance representing more than 35 key suppliers.

Suppliers were recognised in nine award categories reflecting the different ways Diageo’s suppliers have significantly contributed to its business objectives. The coveted Supplier of the Year Award was presented to CCL Label.

The awards programme recognised suppliers who delivered outstanding results against all of Diageo North America’s supply and procurement metrics or achieved breakthrough performance in Diageo’s fiscal 2012. In only its second year, the programme has proven to be a tangible driver for best class performance and improvements from our suppliers.

David Cutter, President Americas Supply said: "Working with world-class suppliers is a key element in ensuring Diageo delivers on quality, innovation, service and value to its customers. Diageo North America’s Supplier Award is one way that we can recognise the great contributions of our supply partners."

Michael McKenna, CCL Label’s beverage sales director USA: "I believe there were a number of factors that helped us win this significant piece of business." These include:

Technical expertise

Diageo needed a supplier that could help them transition from cut and stack paper labels to PSL labels with minimum down time and issues. CCL Label have supported them with a full time technician at their Plainfield plant for more than one year now, and have also started to support them at the Relay plant that just started the new PSL lines last month.

Supply chain

Diageo have an ambition to not only be the number one spirits company worldwide but to be the number one consumer goods company worldwide. To achieve that they have identified that they need suppliers that can help take them to the next levels and beyond.

They believe that CCL Label’s Genesis Supply Chain tool was better than anything being offered in the industry. In fact they rate the company in the top one percent of their suppliers in terms of the sophistication of our Supply Chain Tools. So far CCL Label has delivered on their expectations and promises and has not missed on delivery since they started supplying more than 15 months ago.

Global reach

Diageo are now deciding how best to procure globally and they see a strong supplier in CCL being well positioned to supply and support them in all of their key markets.

Innovation

Diageo see CCL Label as a supplier that continues to offer innovative solutions to reduce costs, and improve PSL OEE in their plants. They also have seen already a significant end of line quality improvement since moving their remaining brands to PSL Technology.