Unipart Rail and Siemens Rail Systems have formalised their long-term business relationship by gaining BS 11000 Certification for the collaborative partnership that they have formed together.  The obtaining of BS 11000 Standard for Collaborative Business Relationships reflects the robust processes and governance structures that enable both companies to deliver value from the relationship which will now be enhanced with the implementation of the BS 11000 Standard framework.  

Unipart Rail and Siemens have worked very closely together for many years and currently have two 10 year agreements in place for the management and supply of parts to support the operation of the Siemens train fleet in the UK.  In the Doncaster offices of Unipart Rail, Siemens staff work alongside Unipart Rail’s team to provide over 99% parts availability levels to the maintenance workshops.  

Greater collaboration between organisations within the rail industry was identified by Sir Roy McNulty as one of the means of delivering greater value for passengers and taxpayers – with particular relevance to the supply chain and the use the BS 11000 standard to improve performance, stimulate innovation and deliver cost efficiencies whilst meeting mutually defined objectives for all partners.

The certified management system that covers all of the business interfacing activities between Siemens and Unipart Rail was audited by BSI, one of the leading companies in the assessment of the BS 11000 Standard.  The approval by BSI confirms that the significant level of investment undertaken by the two companies to be able to perform to the Standard has been successful. The assessment process involved a Stage 1 audit of the organisation and the system to ensure collaborative working with customers are in place and a Stage 2 audit to show that these systems work in practice.

“Working together with Unipart Rail on BS11000 has been very useful to create an environment that has built a greater level of trust and mutual understanding between our two companies” commented Sambit Banerjee, Finance Director from Siemens Rail Systems. “We already had a very good relationship that has developed for over the past 12 years and the achievement of the certification means that all that good work can be built on within a strong governance structure for the benefit of both companies”

Tom Johnstone Financial Director from Unipart Rail said “Siemens are an excellent strategic partner of ours and one who we work collaboratively together with every day.  The gaining of the BS 11000 certification enshrines our current working relationship and provides an enhanced structure to make further improvements and developments in the future.”

The ethos of working in a Collaborative Business Relationship is part of the culture of Unipart Rail and is integrated into the internal training and development programme for all of the Company’s staff.  This approach has many benefits to all customers and was recognised by Unipart Rail winning the UKRIA BS 11000 Collaborative Working Rail Industry Award in 2015.