A Decade of Procurement Transformation:
The Story of Acquire Insights
The Beginning: A Vision Born from Frustration
Ten years ago, Greer Long and I sat down over coffee, both frustrated with how procurement was being handled in large organisations. Time and again, we saw procurement teams focusing purely on pricing discounts, missing the much bigger picture—how procurement could actually shape and support business operations. We knew that if procurement was approached with deeper insight into strategy and operations, far greater and more sustainable cost savings could be unlocked.
That belief became the foundation of Acquire Insights.
Bridging the Gap: Where Procurement Was Falling Short
At the time, procurement professionals were skilled in processes, but many lacked a real understanding of business operations. They followed procurement procedures to the letter but without questioning whether those processes were actually driving the best outcomes. Meanwhile, senior business leaders were frustrated—procurement was often seen as an administrative burden rather than a business enabler.
We founded Acquire Insights to change that. By combining procurement expertise with deep operational insight, we set out to transform the way businesses approached cost management.
Early Struggles: The Battle Against Short-Term Thinking
In the early years, one of our biggest challenges was convincing organisations to look beyond quick wins. Procurement teams were pressured to find savings before the financial year-end, leading to short-sighted strategies—mostly just pushing suppliers for rate cuts. But we knew that true cost savings came from structural improvements, not just price negotiations.
A turning point came when we worked with BHP, where Grant Aitchison, a visionary leader with an entrepreneurial mindset, challenged us with a problem. A $42M mining services contract had been tendered multiple times over a decade, with previous consultants identifying only 5-10% in savings. But when we examined it through the lens of business strategy, we found something surprising: the fundamental service hadn’t changed in 15 years, yet costs had escalated far beyond inflation.
We proposed two solutions—one delivering a 50% cost reduction, another 75% savings requiring capital investment. Working closely with Grant, we delivered immediate savings of $2M per month and set the stage for further efficiencies. That moment solidified our belief: procurement isn’t just about cost-cutting—it’s about making businesses stronger.
Finding Our Identity: What Set Us Apart
From day one, we knew we didn’t want to be just another procurement consulting firm. Unlike traditional firms, we weren’t focused on process for process’s sake. Instead, we positioned ourselves as operational improvement specialists who happened to use procurement as our most effective tool.
That meant:
No bloated consulting teams with layers of management.
No juniors learning on the job at the client’s expense.
Just experienced professionals who had ‘been there and done that,’ delivering real commercial impact.
The Milestones That Defined Our Journey
Over the past decade, our work has evolved far beyond what we initially imagined. Some of our biggest achievements include:
Record-breaking cost savings—$2M per month (50% cost reduction) on a major mining services contract.
New commercial modelling tools—helping clients avoid legal disputes while still hitting operational targets.
Cutting-edge procurement technology—building AI-driven tools to streamline tenders and contract analysis.
Spend Sphere Innovation—creating a spend analytics platform monitoring billions of dollars, flagging compliance and fraud risks for executives.
Expanding internationally—supporting projects across Asia alongside our work in Australia.
High-stakes tenders—beating Big 4 and strategy firms to help set up procurement for multi-billion-dollar projects.
Elite negotiation training—sending our team to Harvard for world-class negotiation strategies.
Procurement Today: The Stagnation & the Opportunity
Surprisingly, procurement hasn’t evolved much over the last decade. Despite advancements in technology and methodologies, procurement functions continue to swing between tactical and strategic approaches, depending on leadership changes. Many organisations still don’t fully grasp what “good procurement” looks like, leading to missed opportunities.
However, with economic pressures increasing, we believe procurement will finally get the attention it deserves. Companies that embrace real procurement transformation will thrive, while those who continue to treat procurement as an administrative function may struggle to stay competitive. Additionally, these organisations will find it increasingly difficult to attract top procurement talent—especially government agencies and government-owned corporations (GOCs), which, despite their monopolistic position, face growing scrutiny and political pressure to address inefficiencies.
Evolving Our Focus: How We Deliver Value Today
Over the years, we’ve refined our approach to focus on three key areas:
Major Infrastructure & Mining Projects—We set up procurement functions aligned with project objectives, ensuring timelines and cost targets are met.
Large-Scale Cost Reduction—We get deep into business operations, uncovering efficiencies that procurement teams alone might overlook.
Advanced Data & Technology—We build and deploy software to help organisations analyse complex contracts and detect financial risks.
Our Influence in the Industry
Over the years, we’ve spoken at procurement conferences across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. We’ve published white papers, developed risk briefings, and designed frameworks that make procurement strategy more accessible. More than anything, our goal has been to help organisations see the bigger picture—how procurement, when done right, can drive both operational and financial success.
What’s Next for Procurement?
The biggest shift that needs to happen is for procurement teams to move beyond rate negotiations to understanding business operations and cost structures. Without that, procurement will remain transactional rather than a driver of meaningful commercial impact.
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Acquire Insights
We’re continuing to push the boundaries of procurement by:
Expanding our work in Mining & Infrastructure Projects to help organisations build procurement functions that truly support operations.
Advancing AI-powered Procurement Software to identify cost-saving and risk management opportunities faster than ever before.
Enhancing Spend Sphere to give Heads of Procurement actionable insights into category performance and procurement effectiveness.
While procurement technology is advancing, we see a clear divide—suppliers are using AI-driven tools to win tenders, but many buyer organisations are still behind. The next evolution in procurement will be embracing this technology while ensuring it aligns with commercial objectives.
Our Legacy: Setting the Benchmark for Procurement Excellence
Clients often return to us years later, asking, “How did you achieve those savings so fast and so accurately?” The answer is simple—we automate the manual work and focus human expertise on business alignment.
Our legacy will be setting the benchmark for what good procurement looks like—showing that when done right, procurement isn’t just a cost function, but a strategic enabler that drives real, lasting business value.
After a decade in business, our mission remains the same: to help organisations unlock the full power of procurement. And we’re just getting started.