The evaluation processes implemented by Bridgestone Costa Rica aim to provide a diagnosis of its suppliers’ knowledge and practice of the sustainability principles, in an effort to align the practices of both parties to ensure a fair and transparent trade relationship.

The company utilizes forms and an established internal procedure by which each person responsible for the service or product to be acquired must evaluate their supplier with help from the Purchasing Department. Once the evaluation is completed, a meeting is held to report the results and answer questions. The suppliers have a period of 30 days to send Bridgestone their action plan to correct the nonconformities detected, which is then verified in an audit conducted by the company.

Some of the criteria considered in the evaluation include:

• Respect for people

• Guidance services.

• Accuracy and speed of the quotes requested.

• Costs and negotiation capacities.

• Sustainable commercial conditions and respect for these offers.

• Reliable and reduced delivery deadlines.

• Compliance with the delivery of everything required, including product identification, packaging, and certificates. Quality of the product or service.

• Supply priorities (loyalty).

• Capacity and interest in undertaking improvement commitments, proposals, and initiatives.

• Post-sales services and response to claims and warranties.

• Implementation of corrective actions, if necessary.

• Emergency response capacity and flexibility during audits.

In 2017, 90 suppliers (3% of the total) with whom the company has strong relations were assessed with these criteria, seeking to guarantee compliance and opportunities for improvement. There were no risk factors or negative impacts found on the social and environmental aspects resulting from these evaluations, so the company was not forced to cancel its commercial relationship with any suppliers in 2017.