CLA.U.SE: CLeAr, Unified and SEcure commercial and legal framework between the Group and its industrial customers
Presented by SUEZ
CONTEXT
In 2003, SUEZ and one of its key industrial customers (for which SUEZ provided a wide range of services) wanted to introduce comprehensive new conditions governing purchases. These new conditions with this key customer were designed to harmonise the legal framework and various purchasing conditions in force on its sites, reduce its operating costs associated with procurement, and simplify relations with its suppliers within the framework of its new risk-management policy. For SUEZ, the change presented an opportunity to safeguard and shore up relations with this key customer.
INNOVATION
In late 2006, SUEZ and that customer, TOTAL, signed a Group framework agreement governing services and works.
It was a comprehensive and flexible agreement that could be adapted to fit the requirements of SUEZ subsidiaries. To take this commercial and legal step, a multidisciplinary negotiating team was assembled and cross-company network cooperation was established. A total of 11 SES and SE subsidiaries in France and Belgium signed the agreement. The main benefit of this CLeAr, Unified and Secure (CLA.U.SE) commercial and legal framework agreement is that it can be adapted for use with other industrial groups that are customers of SUEZ.
RESULTS
Signed for a period of three years, this framework agreement – a value-creating tool – helps commercial and legal staff at the signatory BUs simplify processes and save time when negotiating contracts.
The agreement also enables the civil liability of SUEZ subsidiaries to be limited, gives the Group a decisive commercial edge over its rivals, and has already helped it secure fresh contracts. Moves are also under way to extend the framework agreement to the whole of Europe and adapt it so that it can be used with two other major SUEZ accounts.
