CIO Bulletin

Assent – Pioneering Excellence in Supply Chain Sustainability Management for Complex Manufacturers

Assent, a prominent leader in supply chain sustainability management solutions, boasts over a decade of expertise in catering specifically to complex manufacturers. This niche includes industrial equipment, electronics, medical device, aerospace/defense, and automotive sectors, where products have extensive design cycles and shelf lives. In these industries, where a single product comprises thousands of parts sourced from various supplier partners globally, stringent supply chain sustainability requirements are essential.

Assent's innovative solution seamlessly integrates a SaaS technology platform with managed services and a team of Regulatory Experts. These specialists keep clients ahead of compliance and regulatory changes on a global scale. Businesses in the industrial realm rely on Assent's services across product compliance, trade compliance, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) to effectively capture, track, report, and manage supply chain compliance and sustainability performance among their suppliers.

Assent is dedicated to its mission of enhancing the supply chains of complex manufacturers, fostering deep and lasting positive impacts. Their approach enables businesses to gain profound insights into their supply chains, utilize powerful data intelligently, and achieve substantial growth, allowing them to seize valuable market opportunities.

Product Compliance

In a world where supply chains were not initially designed with sustainability and product compliance in focus, Assent's solutions emerge as a game-changer. Their innovative offerings empower businesses to proactively navigate evolving regulations, establishing a robust foundation for sustainable supply chains. Compliance with regional laws is not just essential for market access; it's vital for safeguarding a company's revenue and reputation. Yet, staying abreast of changing regulations and managing substance lists can drain valuable resources, resources that many companies urgently require in other areas.

Assent's platform revolutionizes the approach to supply chain management by providing manufacturers with unparalleled visibility into their operations. It facilitates the seamless collection, organization, and analysis of data, catering to various product compliance requirements such as REACH, RoHS, TSCA, and more. With Assent, businesses gain profound insights, enabling them to make informed decisions. Their platform triggers additional data collection whenever product compliance requirements shift, ensuring continuous adherence to regulations. Furthermore, their managed services include comprehensive support and outreach conducted in local languages and across various time zones.

With Assent, companies can delve deeper into their supply chains, operate smarter through data-driven insights, and ultimately, grow stronger and more resilient in the face of regulatory challenges. Assent stands as the unparalleled choice for complex manufacturers, offering the only supply chain sustainability management platform specifically tailored to their unique needs.

ESG Supply Chain

In today's evolving landscape, a superficial approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations is no longer sufficient. True supply chain sustainability demands delving deep, extending scrutiny all the way down to your suppliers' suppliers. For complex manufacturers, who operate within intricate global supply chains, there's often a lack of transparency beyond the immediate supplier level.

ESG, a broad and encompassing term, can be overwhelming in its scope. Its significance cannot be overstated as it influences critical aspects such as investor and customer confidence, market access, reputation among both customers and employees, as well as revenue. ESG ratings offer insights into a company's values and behaviors, both within the organization and throughout its supply chain. In a world where concerns about the environment, sustainability, climate change, human rights, and equity are paramount, ESG becomes the metric through which companies are compared on these vital topics.

The paradigm has shifted — people globally are increasingly mindful of environmental issues, sustainability, and social responsibility. ESG serves as the language through which this awareness is communicated, allowing companies to be evaluated and compared based on their commitment to these fundamental values. With heightened demands from investors, customers, and stakeholders regarding ESG, even a single piece of inaccurate or negative data can jeopardize a company's revenue and reputation. For complex manufacturing supply chains, the risks are compounded, potentially affecting multiple product lines.

Assent recognizes these challenges and stands as the leading ESG solution specifically designed for complex manufacturing supply chains. Their specialized approach focuses on continuous improvement, addressing critical issues by prioritizing actions based on materiality. By partnering with Assent, businesses gain a strategic advantage, ensuring their commitment to genuine ESG principles, safeguarding their revenue, reputation, and contributing positively to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Trade Compliance

Achieving maximum profitability and securing optimal market access hinges on the precise calculation of tariffs and the assessment of eligibility for exemptions or specialized programs. The complexities of trade compliance, encompassing tariffs, trade agreements, embargos on shipping routes, and the intricate details of product naming and customs codes, demand an in-depth understanding of the composition of products, down to every raw material. Navigating this landscape requires a meticulous approach, as regulations are ever-changing, and accurate data collection is challenging. To ensure uninterrupted market access, maintain business continuity, and enhance cost efficiencies, it is essential to establish a deep understanding of product and part trade classification.

The Assent platform offers a comprehensive solution, empowering businesses to guarantee market access, sustain business operations, and streamline costs. Through Assent, companies can achieve these goals by leveraging precise and thorough product and part trade classification, ensuring compliance with evolving trade regulations. By embracing Assent’s expertise, businesses can confidently navigate the complexities of trade compliance, ensuring profitability, market access, and seamless business operations.

Andrew Waitman | CEO

Andrew Waitman’s experience at over 30 technology companies has been integral to the company’s growth.

Andrew’s history of helping businesses succeed continues at Assent. Since becoming CEO, he has been integral to the company’s growth, and helped it earn a spot on the Narwhal List for high-potential companies.

Previously, Andrew was CEO of Pythian, overseeing its rise from a small business to one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing global professional services companies. He also served as Managing Partner at Celtic House Venture Partners during its highest-performing years to date, when a fund produced one of the world’s top 10 best venture fund returns ever.

Andrew has served on the boards of more than 30 technology companies. He is currently a board member at Assent and Fidus Systems, and sits on Genesys Capital’s advisory board.