Purchasing

An Oversimplification… But True!

Monday, March 25, 2013 · Robert A Rudzki When it’s all said and done companies do two basic things – they sell (products and/or services) and to sell, they need to buy. An oversimplification? Not really. Whether a company is comprised of thousands of employees, or only one, it’s very likely that to sell a good…

Are You Planning to Sell Products in China?

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 · Rosemary Coates The tender law is not very popular in China because it does not allow private buyers to exercise their own preferences when purchasing. It is also not popular with sellers whose bids and pricing are made public for all to see

Procurement Automation: How to do it Right

Monday, May 7, 2012 · Andrew Bartolini Successful automation of procurement processes can deliver a host of benefits. For one, automation can eliminate the costly, time-consuming manual tasks while giving supply management professionals the tools and enhanced visibility needed to make better procurement decisions.…

A Strategy for Managing Commodity Price Risk

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 · George A. Zsidisin, C.P.M. and Dr. Janet L. Hartley Just about every organization is exposed to price changes associated with the commodities they acquire for their operations. These price movements can detrimentally affect profitability, budgeting, cash flow, and overall organizational performance. This article puts forth a…

Inventory Optimization: Show Me the Money

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 · Marisa Brown, Director, Knowledge Center, APQC Minimizing inventory investment and carrying costs while maintaining high service levels can be a tough balancing act. But best-practice companies have shown that it can be done - profitably.

The Essentials of Supply Chain Management Strategic Sourcing: Cost Management

Monday, May 16, 2011 · Wendy Tate Cost management has taken on increasing importance in all aspects of the business. And in no part of the business is it any more critical than in procurement and sourcing activities. In this fifth installment of our “Beyond the Basics” series, professor Wendy Tate of the…

How Inventory Optimization Opens Pathways to Profitability

Saturday, March 19, 2011 · Sean P. Willems Inventory optimization—the process of scientifically determining the right inventory levels across the supply chain—has never been easy. But advanced tools now available are enabling companies to do the job faster, more accurately, and with greater business impact. In…

Is It Time for a Rebirth of Strategic Sourcing?—Part 1

Thursday, September 30, 2010 · Robert A Rudzki The blogosphere has been alive recently with a debate about the alleged death of strategic sourcing.

Made in the U.S.A. – the new frontier for sourcing?

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 · Robert A Rudzki There has been a growing realization that "the obvious" global sourcing decision may not be so obvious after all.

Skills or Competencies—Which Are Your Priority?

Friday, August 13, 2010 · Robert A Rudzki Today’s guest blogger is my colleague, James Baehr.

Ex-IM loan to Ford may enhance supply chain

Thursday, August 5, 2010 · Patrick Burnson The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) has approved a $250 million working capital loan guarantee for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan.