Achilles, a global provider of supply chain risk and performance management services, has announced the findings of an independent return on investment (ROI) study conducted with research and advisory firm Verdantix. The analysis examines the financial and operational benefits energy and natural resources companies can achieve by replacing manual supplier management processes with the Achilles platform.
Energy companies face increasingly complex supply chains, changing environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements, and growing demands for transparency. However, many organisations continue to use spreadsheets and disconnected systems to manage supplier information, limiting visibility and increasing administrative workloads.
Verdantix collected data from 15 companies and modelled a representative energy and natural resources business with 9,000 employees, annual revenue of £100 million and approximately 2,000 suppliers managed through Achilles. The study found that organisations using the platform could achieve a modelled 286% return on investment over three years, with breakeven within six months. The analysis estimated total financial benefits of approximately £325,000 through improved efficiency, greater supplier transparency and proactive risk management.
The platform centralises supplier information, automates due diligence and supports continuous monitoring of supplier risks. According to the study, these capabilities help companies make informed decisions while reducing the time spent on repetitive administrative tasks.
Supplier management is particularly important in oil and gas, renewable energy and other infrastructure operations, where supplier failures can affect safety, compliance and business continuity. A customer interviewed for the study highlighted the role of Achilles in benchmarking suppliers and identifying potential risks across its supply chain. The analysis found that companies using Achilles could save between 10% and 50% of the time spent on supplier management activities. These efficiencies were estimated to generate labour savings exceeding £340,000 over three years.
The study also assessed the financial impact of operational disruption and compliance-related costs. Improved supplier visibility and early identification of potential problems were associated with a reduction of more than £72,000 in disruption costs over three years. Compliance-related costs were estimated to fall by approximately £19,000 during the same period.
Verified supplier information can also help companies assess sustainability performance and support ESG reporting requirements. The findings indicate that integrated supplier management systems can improve governance while reducing administrative effort and operational uncertainty. Achilles said the results demonstrate the potential financial value of combining supplier data, automated assessments and continuous risk monitoring in a single platform.
Achilles has more than 30 years of experience in supply chain transparency, risk management, carbon reduction and sustainability. Operating from 22 locations worldwide, the company supports organisations across industrial, commercial, financial and government sectors with supplier assessment, reporting and risk management services.
