News
Issue No. 50 - December/ /
Supply Clusters’ clever savings plan
Procurement specialist Robert Dawes aims to save SA businesses thousands of dollars on everyday items after snapping up the state licence of Supply Clusters
of Australia.
Robert is a former GM Procurement at Elders. Supply Clusters is Australia’s largest independent buying group, negotiating deals with professional suppliers on a range of essential goods and services.
“Supply Clusters began operating in SA in 1999 and has traded with a small and loyal client base,” Robert says. “Since I acquired the SA licence, we’ve seen several additional new members express an interest in joining. The current growth projects are for membership to be 25-30 by the end of 2010.”
Robert got involved while consulting to a large agribusiness, when he was asked to price office supplies.
“I had heard of Supply Clusters, so I organised a meeting with the Executive Director, Ian Cook, in Sydney. During my meeting as a potential customer Ian raised the fact that the SA license was for sale by then licensee, Elaine Bowering.
“It is like the razor story – I liked the business so
much I bought it. It has a great fit with my consulting business, which is based around procurement and market development opportunities.”
Supply Clusters has more than 140 members, including Arnotts Biscuits, John Deere and Crown Equipment, with a combined annual spend of more than $140 million. SA-based members include Radio Rentals, Seeley Internatio...
