Achilles Expands Global Supply Chain With Cm3 Acquisition

In today's world, organisations are doing what they can to drive resilience, as ongoing volatility creates shocks around global supply chains.

Leader in supply chain risk and performance management, Achilles, is focusing on growing its capabilities and expanding its presence, working to strengthen its position in the market. 

Conversations about how to improve competitiveness and conduct successful transformations will be taking place at  Supply Chain LIVE: The London Summit in September. Secure your ticket today to ensure you do not miss out. 

Building resilience

Achilles, an organisation which helps businesses increase efficiency, reduce risk and improve sustainability, has announced plans to acquire Cm3. Achilles has signed an agreement to acquire the platform. Cm3 is a trusted partner, offering software services for contractor management in the Australian market. 

This is part of Achilles' international growth strategy, as it has already conducted a series of acquisitions across Spain, Argentina and the US. Now, it is expanding its capabilities in contractor compliance, supplier assurance and ongoing supply chain intelligence. 

Achilles aims to increase confidence in decision-making, particularly about suppliers and third parties. It also works alongside suppliers to help them improve their performance. The aim is to strengthen compliance, capability and resilience across global supply chains, using continuous monitoring, verified data, active supplier engagement and a connected network. 

Through this, it works to build more resilient supply chains, actively addressing the gaps rather than simply helping organisations understand supplier risk. The acquisition will help it gain more ground in Australia, as Cm3 is already a trusted partner in driving contractor compliance, workforce safety and operational risk management. Through modern technology and human expertise, contractor management operates as a streamlined process with high standards of compliance, competency and safety. 

“Achilles’ agreement to acquire Cm3 marks a major milestone in building a truly global supply chain risk management partner for businesses operating across complex, international networks," explains Sebastien Roussotte, CEO of Achilles, to Supply Chain Digital.

"For our customers, the value lies in uniting two organisations that share an identical model for success: cutting-edge technology, deep domain expertise, and a service-led approach. While intelligent software is critical, customers also require human expertise, local market knowledge and trusted advisory teams to navigate regulatory and operational risks effectively."

Market competitiveness

Achilles helps organisations gain ongoing visibility across their entire supply chain, including risk surveillance across suppliers, contractors and global third parties. The acquisition will expand Achilles' capabilities of helping organisations manage risk, using deep expertise in contractor compliance and Achilles' supply chain intelligence capabilities. 

Organisations will be able to move beyond fragmented operations, which causes a lot of risk to global supply chains. In today's era of complex operations and high risk – driven by an increase in cyber attacks, changing regulations and compliance standards, volatility, unpassable trade routes, materials shortages and inflation – supply chain cohesion is a necessity. 

Visibility across supply chains helps drive operational resilience, assurance and much greater risk management.

Sebastien explains; "The acquisition strengthens the value we can offer to customers operating across multiple markets. As supply chains become more international, more regulated and more exposed to disruption, customers increasingly need a partner that can combine local assurance with global reach.

"That is where we believe the combination of Achilles and Cm3 will create real value. Cm3 customers could, upon completion and regulatory approval, benefit from access to Achilles’ broader global supplier network, including our current base of more than 330,000 suppliers. Likewise, Achilles customers will gain access to Cm3’s established supplier and contractor network across Australia and New Zealand.

"For global companies managing complex supply chains, this creates a stronger platform for visibility, assurance and resilience in increasingly volatile supply chain landscape."

The acquisition will drive:

• Expanded presence across the market – this acquisition places Achilles in a strong position in APAC and Australia, giving it more opportunities to drive change across operations
• Wider capabilities – customers will gain a more comprehensive view of risk across their operations, bringing together expertise on worker safety and contractor compliance from Cm3, with Achilles' expertise on financial resilience, screening and operational risk intelligence
• Greater visibility – this expanded offering allows for continuous monitoring and management, which will strengthen resilience and improve decision-making
• Increased innovation – there will be a continuous investment into technology, data and services, helping organisations improve risk visibility across ongoing complexity

"One of the key benefits we can bring to Cm3 customers is Achilles’ investment in AI," adds Sebastien.

"We are investing in technology that helps customers move from fragmented, periodic checks to continuous supply chain intelligence. Cm3 is already focused on harnessing AI to make better use of the information it holds for customers, and we can help accelerate that progress by sharing our technology roadmap, data expertise and product investment."

The acquisition will help position Achilles more firmly into a global standing, with the expectation of closing the deal in the next few months, subject to regulatory approval. The deal shows ongoing growth for Achilles, demonstrating its competitiveness in the global market. 

Supply Chain Strategy at Supply Chain LIVE

Those hoping to gain a thorough understanding of driving efficiency and competitiveness should attend Supply Chain LIVE: The London Summit. Join more than 1,000 attendees and hear from more than 50 speakers, in an event co-located with Procurement LIVE and Sustainability LIVE.

The event includes a featured panel, where leaders will explore the best routes for aligning supply chain strategy with business objectives – whether through global expansion, supply chain transformation or strong leadership strategies. 

Attend the Supply Chain Strategy Forum to hear a focussed discussion on the topic.

The Supply Chain Strategy Forum:

Date: 8 September
Time: 15:50-16:30 BST
Location: Supply Chain Stage

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