A leading European discount retail chain partnered with Dragon Sourcing to identify windshield liquid manufacturers in Eastern Europe. The project aimed to source 5 SKUs with an annual spend of €3.9M, including windshield liquids of varying temperature grades (-18°C, -21°C, -36°C) and anti-freeze solutions. The geographical scope covered 4 Eastern European countries, with a comprehensive two-stage approach planned for execution over 8 weeks.
Supplier Identification and Screening Process
Once we received the project, we followed a systematic, step-by-step approach to identify the best vendors who met all the necessary requirements.
Our team identified 57 potential suppliers across the target countries. After the initial screening, the team shortlisted 14 suppliers for pre-screening, and 9 of them successfully passed this phase. Key pre-screening criteria we used included manufacturing capability, EU location, direct export ability, private label production, and essential certifications (BSCI/SMETA). Among the 9 qualified suppliers, 7 completed the full RFI-RFQ process.
The evaluation used a balanced scorecard with weighted criteria: business information (15%), production (20%), quality management (25%), social responsibility/environmental management (25%), and certificates/documentation (15%).
Results and Implementation
The top-performing supplier achieved an RFI score of 82%, demonstrating strong alignment with project requirements. By region, Eastern EU country 1 yielded five qualified suppliers, while Eastern EU country 2 provided two. The project delivered comprehensive supplier profiles, RFI-RFQ templates, analysis reports, and strategic recommendations. The client started the sampling process by selecting suppliers who fit the MOQ requirements, certification standards, and packaging specifications.
A subsequent audit plan was developed for the shortlisted suppliers, leveraging Dragon Sourcing’s expertise in both technical and Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) audits. Dragon Sourcing’s structured approach empowered the client to shortlist and engage with cost-efficient, certified suppliers, ensuring compliance with technical standards and budget goals. This initiative highlights the value of strategic sourcing for long-term procurement success.