Sedex: Suntory’s Secret to 32% Supplier Gains

Suntory is tightening up its approach to responsible sourcing by using Sedex, the ethical supply chain platform, to build a smarter, data-led system that strengthens supplier performance and improves sustainability oversight.

With hundreds of suppliers spread across continents, the company faces complex challenges in tracking risk, maintaining standards and keeping up with evolving legal requirements.

Now, after embedding Sedex’s risk management and data tools into its operations, Suntory reports a 32% increase in Management Controls scores across supplier sites—a marker of how well individual locations manage their sustainability risks.

Addressing complexity in a global network

Suntory’s global reach involves supply chains that span Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The scope of this network, combined with tightening regulations and increasing pressure from stakeholders, means that managing sustainability performance is no small task.

The supply chain team identified four main issues that warranted urgent attention:

• Tracking sustainability data across all business units
• Understanding and acting on risks at scale
• Helping suppliers improve consistently across regions
• Meeting the growing demands of regulators and investors

At the time, the business lacked a unified platform to coordinate all of this. Data was scattered, performance varied from site to site and there was no way to spot risk indicators early without more robust analysis.

As scrutiny around ethical sourcing increased, the risks of failing to act became clearer—not just to reputation, but to the company’s ability to stay competitive.

Without a consistent system to track supplier data and performance, Suntory could not be confident it was managing supply chain risks effectively. The solution was to use Sedex as the backbone of a more structured approach.

Building an integrated sustainability process

Sedex is a supply chain management platform designed to help businesses improve ethical and environmental practices through standardised data collection and performance scoring. It includes tools such as the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), completed by suppliers and Management Controls scores, which show how well a site manages its sustainability risks.

Suntory took these tools and built them into its daily routines:

• Alternative audit routes: In Japan, where qualified external auditors are in short supply, Suntory uses Sedex data to create a self-driven improvement model. Instead of depending solely on outside assessments, supplier sites are supported to define and implement their own action plans.

• Live data: The company incorporates real-time supplier information from Sedex directly into its regular workflows. This helps site teams keep tabs on performance without needing to run separate reporting systems.

• Focusing on controls: Suntory places emphasis on Management Controls scores as a way to judge site-level risk awareness and response. When scores are low, the company steps in to provide targeted support.

• Collaborative goals: Suntory works with its suppliers to raise Management Controls scores to a minimum of three across the board. This collaborative model reduces risk exposure and keeps everyone aligned on expectations.

• Continuous improvement: Using the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, the company keeps sustainability strategies under constant review. As issues change, so does the approach, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness.

The SAQ and Management Controls tools allow Suntory to maintain visibility across its supply chain without relying entirely on costly and time-consuming audits. Instead, supplier self-reporting feeds into a global risk profile that highlights where attention is needed.

Building trust through performance and transparency

According to internal data, 32% of supplier sites now report improved Management Controls scores. These gains reflect stronger awareness of sustainability issues at site level and a willingness among suppliers to work collaboratively.

The improvements don’t stop at individual scores. Suntory now has a clearer view of risk across its network, enabling earlier interventions where needed. Internal sustainability planning is also more efficient, while relationships with suppliers have been strengthened through ongoing dialogue and support.

Recognition from the wider industry has followed. Suntory has been ranked highest in Japan by the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and won the Sedex Sustainability Award in 2023.

Crucially, this approach means Suntory can meet external expectations for ethical sourcing without being overwhelmed by extra layers of admin. The tools it has embedded give it a consistent and adaptable model, which can flex as global supply chain conditions evolve.

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