IBM to Extend Services Relationship With Unilever to Include Latin American Operations

IBM to Extend Services Relationship With Unilever to Include Latin American Operations

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced they have signed an agreement with Unilever (NYSE: UN) (NYSE: UL) to transform and manage strategic sourcing and procurement operations for the company’s Latin American operations.

The five-year agreement is an expansion of an existing global agreement in which IBM manages Unilever’s procurement operations in North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey and for Unilever Central Information Technology (IT).

As part of the agreement, IBM will help Unilever integrate and standardize its procurement practices throughout Latin America. As a result, IBM will consolidate spend management and help reduce overall procurement costs across Unilever’s Latin American operations.

The procurement of many of the products and services that Unilever Latin America uses to run its business will be handled by IBM, including office equipment, travel, marketing, and technical services.

Providing Delivery Excellence on a Global Scale

Key to IBM winning this agreement was its existing relationship with Unilever, extensive global delivery network, industry expertise and best-of-breed delivery center support.

“This partnership will allow Unilever to access industry-leading tools and procurement processes,” said Sergio Sassi, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Unilever Americas. “Leveraging IBM’s innovation, technology expertise and worldwide network of procurement centers of excellence will enhance our business processes and allow for greater investments in our brands.”

Read the complete Press Release