Suppliers

In 2010, the integration within the purchasing function of the establishments of Hesperia, has given us the opportunity to manage the purchase of 397 hotels around the world by applying the same standards of responsibility and sustainability to our new partners.

Supplier Management

In 2010, NH Hoteles worked with a total of 26,702 national and international suppliers, with an annual purchasing volume (cost plus investment) of €466.5 million. 88% of this volume is concentrated in Spain, Italy, Germany and Benelux. The degree of internationalization remains high, with Spanish companies only accounting for 27.6% of
suppliers, a figure slightly higher than last year.

Following the principles of our Corporate Procurement Policy, at NH Hoteles we strive to offer equal opportunities and promote local purchasing in each region where we operate. In 2010, the local purchasing volume represented 93% of approved purchases.

By type of suppliers with whom we work, 80% of the total is included in "Operating expenses and services" which includes, in addition to the services, the supply of all household products, cleaning and amenities, and represent, in purchase volume, 57% of the total.

In its third year of existence, the NH Sustainable Club boasts 40 national and international members. The joint effort made by suppliers and the Company brings about innovative and sustainable solutions for the hotel industry.

This collaboration is based on the importance given by NH Hoteles to innovation as a means to optimize resources and improve environmental competitiveness.

Relevant Initiatives

• Use of lED technology, low energy lamps and other eco-efficient electrical appliances.
• Replacement of 400 absorption minibar refrigerators for new compression ones, with a 36% energy savings.
• Replacement of traditional plastic with biodegradable plastic in laundry bags, amenities and pens.
• Encouragement of use of the electric car, with the installation of recharge points along the main routes of life mainte-nance of hotels in Madrid, with a reduction of indirect CO2 emissions of 3.600 Kg per annum.
• Implementation of innovative WC systems resulting in a 25% water savings.
• Recycling and reuse project of bottle corks in our hotels at a European level, Cork2Cork by NH Hoteles, which will enable the recycling of one million corks transforming them in wall coverings for our hotels.
• Agreements for the use of more sustainable cellulose, enabling us to save over 75,000 kilometers of paper a year.
• Obtention of Oekotek and Ecolabel certifications in our towels.
• Certification of Green Energy from renewable energies for hotels in Spain (2010).
• Application of innovative technologies in the manufacture of our towels, using less water and electricity in their laun-dering.
• Design of lifts generating energy that can be used to recharge electric cars.
• Research in the reuse of grey waters.