Toyota & BMW sign engine deal
Toyota has signed an agreement with rival automotive manufacturer BMW to buy 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel engines for the manufacture of hybrid cars.
The “supply and development” deal between the two companies, which is part of a wider collaboration, will see Toyota begin r... more...
The service sector grows despite uncertain economy
The UK services sector grew modestly last month in the face of higher input costs and more job cuts.
Business activity in November, rose slightly for the eleventh month in a row but this gain was undermined by an economic climate that saw job cuts accelerate to its quic... more...
Manufacturers to up supplier numbers
More than a third of manufacturing companies in the US and Europe have increased their supply base in the third quarter, according to a report from manufacturing consultancy MFG.
The quarterly manufacturers survey, by MFG.com, found that 90 per cent of respondents have ... more...
Talent shortage is a major procurement challenge admit CPOs
Talent management remains a problem that organisations are trying to overcome, according to a survey of 432 global procurement executives published by Accenture.
The Accenture research and insights into high performance in procurement report identified areas in which pu... more...
South African Rugby Union under fire for not sourcing locally
Just days before the World Cup kicks off, workers unions in South Africa have called on the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to prove it uses local suppliers.
The national rugby federation was criticised by unions earlier this week after it emerged that some of its g... more...
Experian urges buyers to be alert
UK companies may be performing better, but buyers must remain vigilant in monitoring suppliers to avoid negative exposure from companies going bust.
According to Experian’s latest insolvency index, the number of business failure rates in June dropped for mid-sized compa... more...
Significant demand for public sector outsourcing forecast
The value of services outsourced by local authorities will increase by £40 billion in the next five years, it has been predicted.
Colin Cram, managing director of consultancy Marc1 and author of a report by the Institute of Directors into public procurement, said while ... more...
Comedy star to host CIPS awards
The host for the upcoming CIPS Supply Management Awards 2011 will be Bafta-nominated actor, comedian and writer Miranda Hart.
Over the past 12 months, the Torquay-born star has received a number of honours, including three Royal Television Society awards for her self-t... more...
Telecoms rivals audit shared suppliers jointly
Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of T-Mobile, has teamed up with competitors France Telecom-Orange and Telecom Italia to increase the number of supplier audits.
The three companies entered into a Joint Auditing Cooperation (JAC), which enabled them to audit 18 share... more...
Telecoms giant rolls out responsible purchasing
Human rights training for buyers at France Telecom-Orange will be rolled out globally across the group.
According to the company’s corporate social responsibility report, published yesterday, the training courses are aimed at raising awareness among purchasers about t... more...
Buyers team up with local business friends from the North
Purchasers from AMEC and EDF Energy are holding a ‘meet the buyer’ event in Sunderland this week to try to increase their spend with local suppliers.
Procurement Exchange is an annual networking event that has been running for the past three years and is open to members... more...
Coca-Cola raising prices due to 'higher-than-anticipated' costs
The Beverage Digest newsletter reported that letters had been sent from Coca-Cola refreshments, Coke's c... more...
Technology not a replacement for purchasing basics, says Findus
The right people and processes must be in place before e-procurement tools can be successful, according to a top buyer at Findus Group.
Procurement teams should approach sourcing and spend visibility software as additional tools, not a replacement for procurement fundam... more...
Oil to reach $140 a barrel by the end of 2012!
Investment adviser Goldman Sachs is forecasting supply constraints will push oil prices up to $140 (£87) a barrel by the end of 2012.
In a note to its clients, the firm said short-term shocks that affected supply, such as political unrest in north Africa and the Middle ... more...
Young 'geeks' in rush to join purchasing profession
The procurement profession is experiencing an influx of young people with analytical skills to maximise cost-saving opportunities.
But these new entrants are not getting the support or training they need, research by consultancy Efficio has warned.According to the Grass... more...
Mining boom to boost local suppliers in Australia
The Australian government has introduced an AUS$34.4 million (£22.5 million) package to help domestic manufacturing firms benefit from the nation’s mining industry boom.
Announced during this week’s budget, the Buy Australian at Home and Abroad initiative will include A... more...
Japanese supply chain disruption cuts Toyota profits
Supply disruption to Toyota’s car production caused by the Japanese earthquake has contributed to the company missing profit forecasts by ¥81.8 billion (£620.8 million).
In results for the 2011 financial year published yesterday, the automotive manufacturer said suspens... more...
Coca-Cola Bottling Co raises glass to supply chain optimisation
Coca-Cola Bottling Co has said that supply chain improvements will play a key role in a campaign of "adjustments" that it is undertaking to maintain profitability as high commodity prices hit sales.
William B. Elmore, president and COO, said: "As we have been doing ov... more...
Vehicle logistics needs 3 to 5bn euro investment
Europe’s vehicle logistics sector needs to invest some 3 to 5bn euros to restore capacity shed in the downturn or risk choking off the motor industry’s wider recovery, according to Costantino Baldissara, president of EGC the Association of European Vehicle Logistics.
Sp... more...
Record year for procurement outsourcing
Procurement outsourcing had a record year in 2010, a report from the Everest Group has found.
The research firm’s survey of the procurement outsourcing market found new contract signings and extensions reached an unprecedented level last year.
Meanwhile, annual contrac... more...
