Case Study Spotlight: Driving Zero Waste, Savings & Efficiencies Across Hilton’s U.S. Terry Program
In 2022, Hilton identified towel quality as its #1 opportunity to improve guest experience. Hilton Supply Management (HSM) leveraged this opportunity to reevaluate its legacy terry product and supplier, moving to consolidate sourcing and SKUs, procure raw materials more responsibly, and develop consistent brand standards around towel specifications, quality and quantity.
Specifically, they aimed to:
- Elevate product quality to enhance the guest experience
- Drive cost savings and operational transparency
- Value-engineer a sustainable terry program aligned with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 goals
- Simplify inventory management and optimize manufacturing efficiencies
- Identify a viable end-of-life solution for retired product to drive zero waste
In partnership with Sobel Linen—the supplier awarded Hilton’s U.S. terry contract—HSM nearshored production and upgraded all Hilton brands to thicker, plusher, more absorbent towels made of 100% U.S. cotton and engineered to last up to 50% longer than legacy products. Program upgrades delivered category-wide savings across all brands and reflect the consolidation of unique terry programs across the enterprise, generating a 60% reduction in SKUs. HSM also launched a nationwide terry donation program, positioning properties to repurpose retired terry products at 580+ animal shelters across North America. Click here to read the full case study.*
The Hilton Supply Management case study was submitted to the SPLC Leadership Awards program, and was awarded the 2024 SPLC Leadership Award for Special Initiative. Visit the SPLC website for more information on the Leadership Awards Program.
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