Sellicha – A Mirror Image of Achilles JQS
Sellicha is a similar procurement system, aimed at the energy industry.  Sellicha was founded in 1998, in collaboration with large energy enterprises, such as, Statkraft, Agder Energy, Troms Power, and Hydro.

“If a company wants to bid to supply products or services to Statkraft or Agder Energy, for example, it needs to be registered as a supplier in Sellicha,” tells Aasen, “just like with Achilles JQS in the oil industry.”

Steering Committees Ensure Exchange of Experience and Best Practices
Both the energy industry and the oil industry have a great need to gather and share competence and best practices for procurement.  To that end, steering committees have been established, with representatives from the purchasing organisations from both industries.  Steering committees from each industry get together regularly to share experiences; both when it comes to HSE and finance.

“By sharing experiences across company lines, we improve ourselves and our suppliers,” tells Aasen.  “We also share experience across both industries.  This represents significant value for both the energy industry and the oil industry.”

Aasen tells that ethics and social responsibility have been high on the agenda for these steering committees recently.

HSE Requirements
Both Sellicha and Achilles JQS emphasise a low threshold to qualify for registration.

“A company qualifies for one year at a time, and the annual fee is low enough to be manageable for even the smallest companies,” tells Aasen.  “Everyone who wants to qualify should be able to afford it; but we do have specific HSE requirements.”

To qualify for Achilles JQS, suppliers must have a formal HSE system in place.  Part of the qualification process is to complete the questionnaire in the Norsok S-006 standard – HSE Evaluation of Contractors, where, among other things, companies must clarify how they conduct systematic HSE training for new employees.  In addition, companies need to provide general company information including:  financial statements, annual accounts, product and service information, references, etc.  The company’s managing director needs to sign a declaration confirming that all information provided is true and correct.

VERIFY – Simplifying Processes
We should also mention that Achilles JQS coordinates the work for revisions to the Norsok S-006 information for suppliers and contractors.

Need for Realignment
Aasen tells that we will experience an increased cross-over between the energy industry and the oil industry in the years ahead.  Suppliers currently delivering services to traditional projects in the oil industry will, in the future, realign themselves to be able to compete to supply services to the renewable energy industry.

“For instance, we see that Statoil and Statkraft are working together on several large multi-billion Euro projects for offshore wind farms off the coast of the UK,” tells Aasen.  “Cross-over between the energy industry and the oil industry represents both a significant business opportunity for the suppliers to each industry, and contributes to the transfer of experience, on HSE for example.  That’s why we feel like we are making a positive contribution to both industries,” concludes Aasen.

See www.achilles.com for more information.

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Text: Chul Christian Aamodt