Becoming Avetta® Certified for LafargeHolcim®

What’s in a name? Well, there’s quite a bit of history behind this particular hiring client’s name. LafargeHolcim® is a multinational building materials and construction company formed by merging two significant companies, Lafarge ® and Holcim ®, in 2015. The merger created one of the most important global players in the construction industry!

Lafarge®: Lafarge® was a French industrial company specializing in cement, construction aggregates, concrete, and other building materials. It was founded in 1833 and became one of the world’s leading suppliers of construction materials. Lafarge® had operations in numerous countries.  Lafarge® ‘s reputation was that of having innovative approaches to sustainable construction.

Holcim®: Holcim® was a Swiss-based global building materials and aggregates company. It was founded in 1912, and, like Lafarge, was a significant player in the construction industry. Holcim® had a strong presence in various markets worldwide and was committed to sustainability and responsible business practices.

The merger of Lafarge® and Holcim® in 2015 created LafargeHolcim®, headquartered in Switzerland. LafargeHolcim® operates in over 70 countries and is a leading cement provider, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and other construction-related products and services. The company is involved in construction projects, including residential, commercial, infrastructure, and industrial developments.

The company then shifted its name in 2021 to Holcim Group®.  Holcim Group® is known for its focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility in the construction industry. The company has tried to reduce its carbon footprint, promote alternative and sustainable building materials, and advance sustainable construction practices.

LafargeHolcim® Safety Standards

As part of their core initiatives and commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsible business practices, LafargeHolcim® requires that their contractors and suppliers enroll in a management system called Avetta One®, more commonly referred to as just Avetta®. 

Need your Avetta® account setup or are interested in Cascade QMS’ Avetta® Management plan?  Find out more HERE.

What is Avetta®?

Avetta® serves as a company specializing in supply chain risk management solutions for not only LafargeHolcim® but other major companies such as Duke Energy®, Airgas®, TMobile®, and Amazon®. Their platform is pivotal in helping organizations evaluate and manage risks associated with their suppliers and contractors. Avetta®’s core functions include supplier prequalification, enabling companies to assess the qualifications of their potential partners by verifying critical information like insurance certificates, safety records, financial stability, and regulatory compliance. This ensures that suppliers meet specified standards before engaging in business relationships.

Furthermore, Avetta® aids in risk assessment, allowing organizations to gauge the risk levels linked to each supplier or contractor within their supply chain. This comprehensive evaluation encompasses financial stability, safety performance, environmental compliance, and adherence to legal obligations. In addition to risk assessment, the platform assists companies in managing compliance effectively by tracking and addressing various regulatory requirements. This proactive approach helps organizations sidestep potential legal and regulatory pitfalls.

Needless to say, Avetta® also serves as a tool for monitoring supplier and contractor performance over time. This entails tracking safety incidents, quality control, on-time delivery, and other vital performance indicators. Moreover, Avetta® can facilitate supplier audits and inspections, ensuring suppliers adhere to agreed-upon standards and requirements. This aspect of supplier oversight is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of the supply chain.

Added Transparency

By providing a centralized platform for managing supplier information and performance data, Avetta® enhances supply chain transparency. This transparency is a cornerstone for making well-informed decisions and proactively mitigating risks. Additionally, Avetta® generates insightful reports and analytics, offering a clear overview of supplier and contractor performance, compliance status, and risk levels. These reports empower organizations to make data-driven decisions and take corrective actions as necessary.

Cascade QMS works diligently to stay current with current Avetta® requirements; however, we recommend visiting Avetta®’s official website or contacting the company for the most up-to-date information on their evolving services and capabilities.

Positioning your business for Avetta® Certification

To become a contractor for LafargeHolcim®, you will typically need to undergo a prequalification process and meet specific requirements. Becoming a contractor for a large construction materials company like LafargeHolcim® involves several steps:

Contract Steps:

Research and Familiarization: Start by researching LafargeHolcim®’s needs, expectations, and guidelines for contractors. You can often find this information on their official website or by contacting their procurement or contractor management team.

Legal and Business Requirements: Ensure your business is legally registered and compliant with all local, state, and national regulations. You may need the necessary licenses, insurance, and certifications depending on your location and the type of work you plan to undertake.

Quality and Safety Standards: LafargeHolcim® highly emphasizes quality and safety. You will likely need to demonstrate your commitment to safety practices and adherence to quality standards. This may involve providing evidence of past safety records and certifications.

Financial Stability: Contractors often need to demonstrate financial stability. This may involve providing financial statements, credit references, and other documentation to show your business is financially viable.

Experience and References: LafargeHolcim® may require you to have relevant experience in the construction industry. Provide references from previous clients or projects.

Environmental and Sustainability Commitment: Given LafargeHolcim®’s focus on sustainability, they may expect contractors to align with their environmental and sustainability goals.

Applying:

Application and Prequalification Process: Once you have gathered the necessary documentation and information, you can typically apply to become a contractor through LafargeHolcim®’s procurement or contractor management department. They will review your application and assess your qualifications.

Performance Evaluation: If your application is approved, you may be placed on a list of approved contractors. LafargeHolcim® will likely continue to evaluate your performance continuously to ensure that you meet their quality, safety, and reliability standards.

Contract Negotiation: If selected for a specific project, you will negotiate the terms and conditions of the contract with LafargeHolcim®. This includes project-specific details, pricing, and timelines.

Execution and Compliance: Once the contract is awarded, you will be expected to execute the work according to the agreed-upon terms and comply with all safety, quality, and environmental standards set by LafargeHolcim®.

Communicate with Holcim Group®

It’s essential to contact LafargeHolcim® directly or visit their official website for the most up-to-date information on their contractor requirements and the specific steps involved in becoming a contractor for their organization. Keep in mind that the particular needs and processes may vary depending on your location and the type of work you plan to perform for them.

Adjusting your Safety Culture

To prepare for collaboration with large corporations, it is crucial to establish a robust safety culture within your organization. Large corporations typically have stringent safety expectations and prioritize partners who share their commitment to safety excellence.

Start by ensuring strict compliance with all relevant safety regulations, from local to national levels, as violations can pose a barrier to collaboration. Leadership should champion safety as a core value, setting an example, and promoting a culture where safety is non-negotiable.

Most importantly, invest in ongoing safety training and education for your team to demonstrate competence. Foster open communication channels for reporting safety concerns and incidents, promoting transparency and trust. Regular safety audits and inspections are essential to proactively identify and mitigate potential hazards.

Ongoing Safety Compliance

Continuous improvement is vital:

1. Analyze incidents and near-misses, implement corrective actions, and refine safety protocols.
2. Maintain organized documentation of safety procedures, happenings, and compliance records.  Keep your safety manual current and relevant with Cascade QMS Safety Manuals.
3. Use safety metrics to measure program effectiveness and conduct safety culture assessments to address employee concerns.

Pursue industry-recognized certifications and awards to bolster credibility and develop emergency response plans for seamless coordination with corporate partners during critical situations. Tailor your safety culture to align with the specific safety values and priorities of the corporation you intend to collaborate with.

Cascade QMS offers services to assist with your company’s safety culture. We have programs and procedures designed to improve your grades in certification services such as ISNetworld®, Avetta®, Veriforce®, Vero®, and many, many more. Furthermore, if you need help with a Manual Audit or just time invested with your insurance agent to correct a COI, Cascade QMS is here to help your compliance with Holcim Group® and many others!