At STARK Group, we believe that long-term progress in our industry depends on strong partnerships and shared insight.
Our European Supplier Programme (ESP) brings together STARK Group and suppliers in a structured collaboration focused on understanding market developments, strengthening our shared offering to customers, and creating value across the value chain.
Since its launch in 2020, the programme has developed into a platform for open and strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing and joint initiatives across Europe, grounded by a shared ambition to improve how we serve our customers.
All collaboration, dialogue and exchange of information are strictly governed by the STARK Group compliance policy framework and relevant laws.
The European Supplier Programme
The European Supplier Programme strengthens how we work with suppliers across markets. It provides a structured framework for ongoing dialogue, supporting closer alignment and enabling a more consistent way of working across countries and business units.
By connecting STARK Group and suppliers at a European level, the programme creates better conditions for collaboration, while also providing a clear entry point to STARK Group’s European organisation.
The programme continues to evolve as our markets and partnerships develop, reflecting the changing dynamics of our industry and the opportunities that emerge across the value chain.
The collaboration
The programme focuses on the topics that shape our shared future. This includes building a shared understanding of market developments and industry challenges, identifying opportunities across markets to improve efficiency and strengthen value creation for customers, and exploring how we can support the sustainability transition in a practical and commercially viable way.
At the same time, it creates space to look ahead and identify opportunities for growth and innovation, always with a focus on strengthening our joint offering to the market.
The programme is built on responsible collaboration. We compete fairly and collaborate transparently, always in line with applicable competition rules and with respect for each partner’s independence.
Insights and perspectives
A central part of the European Supplier Programme is the exchange of insights and perspectives. Through regular interactions, we share knowledge about market challenges, customer needs, growth opportunities and the sustainability transition, creating a more aligned understanding across markets.
The programme is brought to life through European updates, structured dialogues and events. Throughout the year, we share perspectives on market developments, customer needs, sustainability requirements and sourcing priorities, using these exchanges to explore joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration across markets.
This takes place through a combination of formats, including ongoing dialogue, cross-market collaboration and dedicated working groups such as the Sustainability Round Table. Together, these activities support transparency, strengthen relationships and provide a solid foundation for long-term collaboration.
Executive European Supplier Day
Each year, the programme culminates in the Executive European Supplier Day, a forum for strategic dialogue, shared perspectives, networking and learnings across markets.
Recent editions have focused on themes such as logistics and innovation, market recovery after the downturn, and the evolving sustainability and regulatory landscape.
The day brings together leaders and key stakeholders from STARK Group and suppliers across Europe. The programme typically features a mix of internal perspectives and external voices, including policymakers, industry experts and international advisors, who contribute with insights on the topics shaping our industry.
It is often combined with visits that bring our distribution setup and customer reality closer to the conversation.
Here you can explore highlights from previous Executive European Supplier Days and gain an inside perspective on how we collaborate across Europe.
