Building Resilient Supply Chain Partners: A Framework for Sustainable Contract Manufacturing in a South African SME

Contract manufacturing is a pivotal strategy for brand owners, yet small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies struggle to evolve beyond transactional roles into sustainable strategic partners. This study addresses this challenge by applying and refining the Sustainable Contract Manufacturing Maturity Model (SCMC-MM), a framework designed to enhance the holistic sustainability of contract manufacturers. Through a seven-month longitudinal case study grounded in a Design Science Research approach within a South African food manufacturing SME, the model was implemented and evaluated using a mix of assessments, interviews, and operational data. The application led to significant systemic improvements, including a 133% increase in revenue, achieving ISO 22000 certification, and enhanced delivery reliability. Furthermore, the study identified and incorporated novel critical success factors for contract manufacturing companies, such as industrial clustering and transformational leadership, into a refined framework. The results demonstrate that the SCMC-MM offers a practical, scalable tool for fostering sustainable supply chain partnerships. It provides SME managers and consultants with a structured pathway to achieve simultaneous gains in economic resilience, social equity through improved workforce capability, and environmental stewardship via robust safety and health systems, thereby contributing directly to sustainable industrial development in emerging markets.