Supplier Selection Process: Far East Case Study for MML-Imports Ltd.

Abstract

MML-Imports Ltd. is a small import company based in Turku, Finland. The company imports construction tools, -materials, and -accessories from all over the world. An earlier study conducted by the company showed a great potential for importing from the Far East. The Thesis was commissioned by the company’s CEO for the purpose of locating suitable suppliers from the Far East with the intention of establishing business relations. In addition, to ensure coherent purchasing practices throughout the company, the need for a supplier selection process and a purchasing process was identified. With support of relevant theories, a supplier selection process for the company was created in parallel with the task of locating suitable suppliers from the Far East. Extending this process into a complete purchasing process, however, falls outside the scope of this Thesis.

The methods which were employed in this Thesis included searching and browsing the Internet, contacting companies in the Far East for information, consulting professionals, and reading books from the university library.

The Thesis will serve as a learning material for anyone new to MML’s purchasing team.

A confidentiality agreement has been made between MML and the university; hence some parts are excluded from public viewing. These parts are Chapters 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 8, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7 and 9.8.