Thistle implements e-procurement system to save costs

Thistle Hotels has implemented an order processing system for its food, beverage and housekeeping supplies that is expected to save the company more than £150,000 a year.

The system, from hospitality e-procurement company Makella, will reduce the cost of the purchasing process as well as software licensing fees, according to Quentin Neville, purchasing director at Thistle.

"The cost was becoming prohibitive, and we needed to look for a lower-cost ­alternative with better functionality," he said.

Thistle will save £150,000 a year in licence fees alone, said Neville. "We have still to quantify the additional savings from reduced staff input time and improved efficiency," he added.

The e-procurement system, which handles 300 orders a day, enables 200 staff across Thistle's 49 hotels to order supplies from 30 approved suppliers through a central website at any time of the day.

"This flexibility is essential in the hospitality industry, where vital food orders for the following day are often made by chefs after evening service," said Neville.

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By Daniel Thomas

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