ISS Supply Chain Provides Sustainable Opportunities for Indigenous Business and Communities

Under the new partnership arrangement, ISS is transitioning supply of several Wirrpanda Supplies’ chemicals to the Hawaiian WA retail portfolio in January and February 2019.  ISS cleaners will use the environmentally-preferable chemicals from Wirrpanda Supplies to clean 14 Hawaiian locations in Perth.

David Wirrpanda, an accomplished and well-known former West Coast Eagles star who played 13 years of top level footy, is excited about the new partnership and comments: “We’re really proud to be partnering with Hawaiian and ISS. Their commitment towards a holistic Indigenous engagement program, including procurement and employment is a credit to both organisations”.

The Wirrpanda Agreement is an innovative approach that leverages the procurement practices of large organisations for the long-term benefit of Indigenous businesses and communities. The inclusive approach gives opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and start-ups to prosper within corporate Australia, while providing a means for ongoing funds for support for Indigenous communities.

Wirrpanda Supplies was created in late 2017 to deliver environmentally-sustainable cleaning supplies as well as close a loop between education and the employment of Indigenous youth. The company is a joint-venture company between David Wirrpanda, and Chemform, a 40-year old family-owned Australian company that delivers cleaning products and services.

A percentage of all sales from Wirrpanda Supplies goes directly to the not-for-profit Wirrpanda Foundation (WF), which supports Indigenous communities and their youth in further studies and entry into the workforce. WF offers a range of training and employment programs. Since its foundation in 2005, the Wirrpanda Foundation has supported over 30,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people nationally through their outreach programs. Over 699 jobseekers have gained employment through participating in a Wirrpanda Foundation program since 2008.

This is an exciting venture for all parties and aligns with mutual values of supporting the local community and Indigenous Australians. ISS CEO, Scott Davies, comments: “This partnership really resonates with ISS’ pledge to assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities. Our formalized Reconciliation Action Plan and Employment Parity commitments with the Australian Government mean we are dedicated to creating genuine Indigenous employment opportunities and initiatives, such as this, within our own organisation. ISS is delighted to partner with Hawaiian and Wirrpanda Supplies in this project and use our significant buying power to facilitate further opportunities for Indigenous Australians”. 

Hawaiian CEO Russell Gibbs says: “Hawaiian is proud to be partnering with ISS and Wirrpanda Supplies to benefit the Wirrpanda Foundation and the important work they do supporting Indigenous communities in WA.

“Our partnership is underpinned by an organisational goal of embedding diversity and inclusion within the Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian will continue to seek new ways to deepen our relationship with the Wirrpanda Foundation to positively impact the local WA community.”