Competitive
value chain

102-9, 102-10

Working to maximize the efficiency of our logistics network

A key aspect of our company’s success is our integrated supply chain. Pochteca’s operations strategy encompasses all areas of the company. We set common objectives such as EBITDA and sales targets based on Sales & Operation Planning (S&OP).

Our process begins with information provided by the sales department, which determines supply needs based on statistical information. Requisitions for materials are made with either local or international suppliers taking into consideration wait times and any eventuality that might affect product demand.

The materials are received in our Supplying Branches (distribution centers) either for local sale or shipment to one of our other branches in Mexico, Central America and Brazil. In the event a product requires any special preparation or modification, it is handled in our installations before the product is delivered to the client.

Out of concern for cost control and lowering transport environmental impact, we strive to maximize the efficiency of our logistical network that is used for internal and external transfers. Each of our distribution zones (north, west, Bajio, and southeast) has its own Supplying Branch capable of handling any material the branch requires.

Final customer delivery is conducted using company or qualified third-party delivery services in keeping with our Secure Custody Chain.

Secure Custody Chain

Our world class, Secure Custody Chain differentiates us as industry leaders

Customers and suppliers continually audit all our activities

Procurement

GRI 204, 407, 408, 409, 414: 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
102-9, 102-10, 204-1, 407-1, 408-1, 409-1, 414-1

In order to convey Pochteca’s commitment to sustainable supply chain management, we ask our commercial partners to align their practices with our Integral Management System Policy and our Suppliers’ Manual. We require not only familiarity with the contents of those documents, but evidence of abidance in order to assure that this culture is adopted the entire length and breadth of our value chain.

The Suppliers’ Manual includes our Code of Ethics, and upon signing that document our suppliers commit themselves to operate in keeping with Pochteca’s culture and values.

Our Code of Ethics clearly spells out our commitment to the:

  • Right to free association
  • Non-discrimination and equal opportunities
  • Ban on forced or child labor

In addition, and in order to assure compliance in matters of Human Rights, all suppliers who visit our operating centers to provide any service are required to show some form of official ID establishing that they are of legal working age, and proof that they are covered by a social security program.

80% of our suppliers provide raw materials and services, 100% of which are local. The remaining 20% provide raw materials of which:

  • 70% in the chemicals segment are local and 30% foreign
  • 18% in the food segment are local and 82% foreign
  • 100% in the lubricants segment are foreign
  • 30% in the paper segment are local and 70% foreign

Supplier assessment

GRI 308, 414: 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
308-1, 414-1

As part of our supplier selection and evaluation, we apply a supplier pre-evaluation questionnaire in which we request evidence of compliance with some environmental management system or a self-evaluation of performance.

We evaluate the supplier’s performance with each delivery and in the event, we detect any shortcomings we send a non-compliance service report that becomes part of the quarterly compliance calculation against all services provided.

Currently, 80% of our raw material suppliers and 70% of our transportation suppliers are rated as trustworthy by this measure. To follow up with suppliers who fail to comply with the required standards, we have designed plans of action in order to work together to obtain tangible improvements.

Distribution

GRI 417: 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
102-9, 102-12, 102-13, 417-1, 417-2, 417-3

Custody chain

Our world class, secure custody chain differentiates us from the rest of the industry. We are the only company in Latin America with Responsible Distribution certification from the NACD (National Association of Chemical Distributors), which attests to our commitment to continuous improvement in each phase through which our products pass: storage, management, transportation and final disposal.

Moreover, our management system has been evaluated and approved by ANIQ (National Association of Chemical Industries, A.C.) as guaranteeing security in our custody chain, thereby enabling us to use the association’s SARI seal of approval. We also have FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and ISO-9001-2008 certification.

We offer products subject to national and international norms for determining their risk levels. As part of our responsible distribution, both Pochteca and customers must assure that 100% of products fulfill the corresponding norms according to the type of risk or material. Some of these applicable standards are:

  • NOM-018-STPS
  • OSHAS
  • GHS
  • PROFECO

We have received no reports of compliance failures or incidents either regarding the information or labeling on our products or arising out of their marketing.

Venta

GRI 416: 103-1, 103-2, 103-3
102-9, 102-10, 102-17, 102-21, 201-2, 416-1

We know that our clients share our interest in protecting the environment and health concerns. We constantly work to find products that are more environmentally friendly and less harmful to the health of final customers, and we provide our clients with the best options in this regard.

Pochteca Paper manages 30 FSC certified products, which represent 20% of our product catalogue with a total of 480 tons sold and 1,486 received.

In fulfillment of our 2016 commitments, in 2017 we expanded our sustainable portfolio, in our Raw Materials catalogue we introduced a line of water-based degreasing and paint stripping products that have less of an adverse environmental impact than some of our other products. Total sales increased 46% last year.

To help reduce the use of EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), we promote the use of Sodium Gluconate as a sequestering agent in cleaning products; sales rose 24% compared to the previous year.

And as a result of our initiative to substitute the use of Sodium Chloride (which contributes to heart disease) with Potassium Chloride, sales were 46% greater than in the previous year.

We are in the process of substituting surfactants such as nonylphenol with lauryl alcohols, which are more environmentally friendly.

Given the nature of our work, we handle “essential chemicals” regulated by Mexico’s Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS). The following controls apply for their sale:

  • Sale to customers with operating licenses.
  • Logbook of deliveries, outflows, sales and losses.
  • Annual report to COFEPRIS.
  • Training for members of the sales team on applicable norms and regulated products.
  • Review of fulfillment of this process through an internal audit.
  • Advice to customers who require sales of these products and are not aware of the applicable norms.

Only 0.8% of the products that we handle are in this previous category above mentioned.

Part of our improvement strategy is to review aspects related to customer communication and satisfaction such as:

  • Internal process incidents that can generate customer dissatisfaction or complaints.
  • Claims, problems that can not be detected within the incident process and that affect the client.
  • Customer satisfaction surveys.

All information is analyzed to arrive at actions and improve our business processes and strategies.

The actions taken have permitted us to lower the kilos ordered / kilos sold index from 0.29% in 2016 to 0.17% in 2017.

% of kilos ordered / kilos sold

Contact media available
to Pochteca customers:
Attention from sales executives,
customer services and
post-sales service
Social networks
01-800 line
Internet page
Surveyers