In the public sector, experience has shown collaborative procurement to be an effective way in which to deliver value for money savings, share expertise and promote efficiency. Whether collaborating across the whole of the public sector or between groups of organisations, it is combining innovation, experience and resources that delivers the kind of economies of scale which make a real difference to the bottom line.

“"As a Government, we're determined to give taxpayers the best possible value for their money. Over the last three years we've successfully delivered £23 billion worth of savings – £8 billion through improving procurement.  Over the next few years we want to achieve a further £30 billion of savings. We also want continue to improve the way that we procure goods and services, and we know that improving that will be crucial to achieving our savings goals, especially looking at collaborative procurement. And that means working together to use our combined purchasing power to have better and more efficient and effective solutions. Now that is an obvious thing to do in theory, but slightly more difficult to do in practice, but we are here to deliver it."

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Angela Eagle MP
addressing the  Procurement Solutions Conference, 11 June 2008

Benefits for Buyers

The ultimate benefit for organisations from collaborative procurement is the reduction in direct and indirect procurement expenditure.
In addition, organisations benefit from:

• Minimising duplication of effort and maximising resources
• Leverage of economies of scale to reduce costs and improve service terms on contracts
• Extension of local or specialised contracts to all

Benefits for Suppliers

Suppliers have an opportunity to help shape the future of procurement and extend business across the sector.
There are opportunities to:

• Develop and/or extend relationships
• Reduce costs through efficient processes and comprehensive contract management
• Influence good practice dissemination and establish standard processes

Suppliers are also beginning to recognise that bidding for contracts as a consortium can be a winning formula, and are starting to seek out organisations that have the potential to co-work, identify symmetry, and release potential added value resulting from developing a relationship.

Why attend?

• Aggregated buying is becoming more commonplace as public finances are squeezed
• Buyers and suppliers need to understand the challenges involved
• Changes in technology are making collaboration easier to achieve
• Shared services are becoming more common
• New purchasing organisations are being formed
• The Government wishes to see the third sector involved in procurement projects

Who should attend?

• Buyers considering how best to collaborate with other organisations in order to achieve best practice and secure efficiency gains
• Buyers in sectors with special or social implications, who need to understand more about working with third sector or voluntary organisations
• Suppliers who wish to understand how collaborative procurement impacts upon them, and what strategies and tactics they can deploy to ensure they use collaboration to their advantage