Global Upstream Supply Initiative (GUSI)

GUSI Logo

 

In 2003, a group of manufacturers of Consumer Packaged Goods and their suppliers decided to define a common way to provide tighter integration of their supply chains. Their objective was to avoid costly and time-consuming IT integration projects with every manufacturer or supplier. At the end of 2004, the Global Commerce Initiative (GCI) - currently known as The Consumer Goods Forum (TCGF) - initiated a new working group which incorporated the already-active GUSI members. The GUSI Working Group was born. It has developed and maintains the Upstream Integration Model (UIM) - the standardised processes and data interchanges underpinning upstream integration.

Role of GS1

 GS1 has supported the initiative on implementation of the UIM notably for:

  • tailoring the GS1 standards for item identifi cation and electronic communication
  • supporting the development of the message implementation guides
  • providing assistance for implementations

Benefits

Some of the world's largest consumer packaged goods manufacturers and their suppliers have identified significant benefits in using standard solutions. The companies reported:

  • Faster integration:
    • up to 75% reduction in the time taken to connect to new partners
  • Reduced IT costs:
    • Set-up: reduced development and training costs (both IT and business staff )
    • Maintenance: due to phasing out of multiple non-standard interfaces
  • Larger scope:
    • Increased ROI by being able to implement across a larger scope of factories and suppliers. GUSI is for large and small companies.

 

 

Therefore, GUSI works as a multiplier to help achieve collaboration benefits in the following areas:

  • Service (product availability, lead time)
  • Administration (forecasting, order processing, financial settlement, data management)
  • Operation (physical receipt, manufacturing, change-over, truck fill-rate,...)
  • Financial (working capital, inventory)

The adoption of the Upstream Integration Model allows companies to translate their internal processes and approaches into a common language that all other parties can use. As more companies adopt GUSI GS1 standards, the more rapidly the overall benefits rise as shown below.

 

  

GUSI Members

The following companies (in alpha order) are global GUSI members or supporters. (Source: GCI, 2007)

  • Ajinomoto
  • Alcan Food
  • Alcan Packaging
  • Avebe
  • Augustin
  • BASF
  • Coca-Cola Company
  • Constantia Flexibles Holding Gmbh
  • Crown Europe
  • Danisco
  • Darégal
  • Dow Corning
  • DSM
  • Elpack S.A
  • Euroma
  • Firmenich
  • General Mills
  • Georgia Pacific Corporation
  • Givaudan
  • Groupe Danone
  • GundLach Verpacking
  • GundLach Verpackung
  • H.J. Heinz
  • Heineken
  • Henkel
  • Huhtamaki
  • International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF)
  • IOI Group
  • J.M. Smucker Company
  • Jokey plastic Gmbh
  • Kellogg’s
  • Kimberly-Clark Europe
  • Kraft Foods
  • L’Oréal
  • Mayr-Melnhof Karton Gmbh and Co Kg
  • National Starch
  • Nestlé
  • Novozymes
  • Philips Lighting BV
  • Procter and Gamble
  • Quest International
  • Royal Sens
  • RPC Bebo Plastic
  • SaaleMühle Alsleben Gmbh
  • Sara Lee/De
  • SCA Packaging
  • Smurfit Kappa Group
  • Symrise
  • Tetra Pak International SA
  • The Dow Chemical Company
  • Unilever
  • Van Genechten Packaging
  • Wart
  • Zentis