Thursday, March 18, 2010
Edition 15 (August 2008)
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
David Rae, Editor
The cover of this magazine offers of a glimpse into a procurement executive’s worst nightmare. To the layman; it may seem insignificant but to those operating at the sharp end of procurement, logistics and supply chains; empty freight containers are as bad as it can possibly get.
The reality is that a lean, modern business will often operate with enough inventory to last hours worth of trading rather than weeks. In this environment, an empty shipping container caused by scarcity of supply can mean failure. Fullstop.
So, there’s a bit of a theme running through this issue. As we continue to limp towards recession, procurement executives are faced with an unusual set of circumstances – despite the economic downturn, prices are high and raw materials are in short supply. It’s a curious situation and one which demands a whole new set of skills to deal with than those procurement teams have been using and passing on for the best part of two decades or more. In fact, there will certainly be buyers and even managers in every procurement team who have never experienced a market quite like the one we are seeing today.
More from the editor
PROCUREMENT FEATURES
- Disappearing acts
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:43:00 - Vodafone’s trip to Luxembourg
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:36:00 - Bottom of the Barrel
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:10:00 - Rob Hemsley - Full of beans
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:44:00 - African Adventures
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:44:00 - Pick of the sustainable crop
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:47:00 - Only the smartest survive
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:38:00 - Wing and a Prayer
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:50:00 - The Conflict Chain
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:45:00 - Big Blue's Red adventure
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:22:00
PROCUREMENT OPINIONS
With profit before sustainability still the prevailing business imperative, it will take a fundamental shift in consumer and shareholder attitudes to empower even the most socially responsible CPO to adopt sustainable procurement strategies. Network view: Shared vision
To help overcome the considerable obstacles to centralised procurement of a disparate group of regional sourcing teams, Gavin Herman of Morgan Stanley set up a shared services centre – and learned a few lessons along the way. Economic view: Trade war massacre
As talks to lower global trade tariffs look set to collapse, the resulting regional agreements will sideline the WTO when it is most needed, leaving companies to pick through the carnage of confusing and sometimes conflicting rules, writes Philip Thornton.
PROFILE
Featured Profile: Rob Hemsley
Rob Hemsley’s innovative use of technology and close supply chain links have left other food manufacturers playing catch up, writes David Rae.
View profile
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