Unilever and DHL Supply Chain have developed and signed a 'joint business development plan' covering a series of collaborative initiatives on a global scale.

Unilever drives for efficiency in logistics

Unilever and DHL's new joint plan focuses on a number of collaborative initiatives to increase the manufacturer's speed to market, drive efficiency, reduce costs and deliver a sustainable logistics solution. The sustainability aspect of the plan focuses on improving Unilever's carbon efficiency and reducing waste across the global logistics function.

Expansion of services to emerging markets

As part of the new plan, DHL will provide services to Unilever in a number of new international markets, particularly focusing on the emerging markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico. Other initiatives include a 'design once, deploy everywhere' methodology that will be used to identify, harness and streamline innovative solutions and processes across Unilever's supply chain delivering optimum performance.

Unilever's 'Partner to Win' programme

The 'joint business development plan' forms part of Unilever's 'Partner to Win' programme, where Unilever works more closely with its 120 worldwide suppliers.

Pier Luigi Sigismondi, chief supply chain officer at Unilever said: "For Unilever it is essential that we work closely together with our strategic suppliers to reach our ambition to double the size of the company and halve our environmental impact. We cannot do this alone.

DHL and Unilever have worked together for many years now and both organisations share the same values, passion and goals. This is why we have chosen DHL as a global supply chain partner to support our plans to sustainably grow our business."