Driving Procurement Value Through Sustainability and System Integration
As a leading aged-care provider, Bupa NZ—a subsidiary of Bupa ANZ Healthcare Holdings Pty Ltd—sought a uniform solution that was not only fit-for-purpose and brand-aligned but also delivered on sustainability and procurement efficiency.
Procurement Objectives
Bupa’s team had three clear goals:
- Align uniforms with Bupa’s brand identity across diverse staff roles.
- Source sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Streamline ordering through system integration.
Sustainable Sourcing: Repreve® Recycled Polyester
After a comprehensive review, Bupa selected a modern tunic design made with 42% Repreve® recycled polyester—a fibre derived from plastic bottles. This choice diverted plastic waste from landfills and reduced water and energy usage compared to virgin polyester, aligning with Bupa’s sustainability targets.
Silk x Unimarket
Efficiency was key. Deane Apparel’s Silk ordering portal was integrated with Bupa’s Unimarket procurement system, enabling:
- Align uniforms with Bupa’s brand identity across diverse staff roles.
- Source sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact.
- Streamline ordering through system integration.
Sustainable Sourcing: Repreve® Recycled Polyester
After a comprehensive review, Bupa selected a modern tunic design made with 42% Repreve® recycled polyester—a fibre derived from plastic bottles. This choice diverted plastic waste from landfills and reduced water and energy usage compared to virgin polyester, aligning with Bupa’s sustainability targets.
Procurement Objectives
Bupa’s team had three clear goals:
- Seamless catalogue browsing via Silk.
- Direct ordering through Bupa’s internal procurement workflows.
- Reduced manual processing and improved spend visibility.
Expansion to Australia
In 2023, Bupa ANZ extended the partnership to include Bupa Health Insurance, Optical, and Dental Care in Australia. The rollout:
- Onboarded 2,000 staff onto Silk.
- Delivered cost savings through consolidated sourcing.
- Maintained brand consistency across regions.
This project demonstrates how sustainable sourcing, packaging innovation, and system integration can deliver measurable environmental and operational benefits. By partnering with Deane Apparel, Bupa has set a benchmark for procurement-led sustainability in aged care.