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Industry Recognition Highlights Woolworths’ Top Suppliers

At the most recent Woolworths Supplier Conference and Awards, a new benchmark was set in recognising supplier excellence. For the first time, a metrics-driven evaluation framework was introduced—anchored in measurable performance indicators and aligned to Woolworths’ strategic priorities. This refined approach combined rigorous data analysis with leadership insight across all levels of the Foods business, ensuring that both performance and values alignment were taken into account.

Supplier of the Year – Long Life Category

Winners in this category demonstrated excellence across several key performance areas, including:

• Outperforming in both value and volume of goods received.
• High levels of order fulfilment and proactive growth initiatives.
• A dedicated support structure aligned to Woolworths’ business needs.
• Clear innovation success and quality improvement, evidenced by a reduction in customer complaints and product returns.
• Verified BBBEE compliance with meaningful transformation contributions.

Strong ethical compliance with no critical audit issues in the last two years.

Sustainability Award – Be Planet Positive: Reduce Our Climate Impact

This award celebrates suppliers actively advancing Woolworths’ sustainability vision, particularly those reducing climate impact through meaningful, validated commitments.

Key criteria included:

• Setting and validating science-based targets (SBTs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Achieving top-tier performance in Woolworths’ Factories for the Future evaluation, which assesses sustainability practices across operations.

Leading the way in this category was Woodlands Dairy, achieving a remarkable 89.2% in the Factories for the Future assessment and having their science-based targets officially validated.

These awards signal a stronger industry shift toward evidence-led, values-driven partnerships that prioritise innovation, ethical leadership, and long-term environmental responsibility.

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