Procurement

Tupperware to idle factories as it works through inventory backlog

The home products company had stocked up during the first half of the year to prepare for a surge in demand. That surge has yet to come.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 22, 2021

8 industry reactions: How the infrastructure deal could change supply chains

Biden's signature paves the way for $17 billion in port infrastructure and $25 billion for airports. Here's what trade associations are saying.

By Alejandra Salgado • Nov. 19, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Supply Chains

Retail supply chains have transformed into a complex web of goods movement and technology, with more touchpoints to the consumer than ever before. 

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Fresh fruit and vegetable supply threatened by rising disruptions

Producers are confronting higher costs, fertilizer shortages and inconsistent deliveries. In some cases, it's leading to food spoilage.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 18, 2021

Resin buyers struggle with high prices and short supply

Businesses have stockpiled product, used fewer materials and bolstered internal manufacturing to cope in a tight market.

By Meena Thiruvengadam • Nov. 18, 2021

Starbucks adds suppliers, boosts production to maintain holiday inventory

The coffee chain is working with suppliers to invest in wages and ensure factories are staffed, COO John Culver said.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 17, 2021

Medtechs ask feds to prioritize chips for medical use during semiconductor shortage

AdvaMed and several device companies have reiterated to the Biden administration how supply chain constraints are causing an "unsustainable" disruption to the industry.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 17, 2021

Now is the time to shockproof supply chains, with a 3-pronged approach

Congested ports and empty car lots are a loud wake-up call to the shortcomings of just-in-time, the authors write.

By Kim Doyle and Tim Weed • Nov. 15, 2021

Kellogg strike compounds supply chain issues

The cereal maker also is confronting higher ingredients and packaging costs, CFO Amit Banati said.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 12, 2021

Clorox turns to contract suppliers, manufacturers to bolster inventory

CFO Kevin Jacobsen said the move is temporary, and the company plans to eventually "step out of these relationships."

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 11, 2021

5 steps to mitigate the risks of sole-source suppliers

If the pain around pricing, delivery or quality is high enough, a company may need to invest in an alternate sourcing scenario to reduce the risk.

By Rich Weissman • Nov. 11, 2021

Supply chain constraints, inflation weigh on medtech

J&J, ResMed and Stryker are among the companies citing one of these factors as constraining growth in the current reporting season.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 11, 2021

Resin shortages are drying up paint supply

The CEOs of Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries lamented the lasting effects of severe weather during recent earnings calls. "There's just not enough paint out there," said one executive.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2021

Aluminum makers warn power cuts in China could cause magnesium shortages

Curtailed production of the raw material used in everything from soda cans to automobiles has caused "one of the largest supplies cuts the aluminum industry has ever experienced," one executive said.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2021

McDonald's expects commodity inflation up to 4%

The world's biggest restaurant chain is also facing difficulties procuring kitchen equipment and delays opening some new restaurants.

By Colin Campbell • Nov. 4, 2021

Mattel nearshores manufacturing to bypass port bottlenecks during peak

For imported products, the toymaker locked in ocean freight capacity and rates well in advance of the holiday season.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2021

US, EU reach agreement to ease steel and aluminum tariffs

Europe will also lift the 25% retaliatory tariffs that upended global supply chains for companies that make liquor, motorcycles and jeans.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 1, 2021

Pricing insanity: Material costs escalate, driving contractor desperation

Amid unprecedented supply chain challenges, firms locked into contracts based on last year's prices are feeling the heat.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 28, 2021

Semiconductor shortage has Philip Morris shifting sales strategy for its heated-tobacco devices

The Marlboro maker is ensuring existing users can replace their devices as the company encounters supply issues due to the ongoing chip shortage.

By Max Garland • Oct. 26, 2021

GE diversifies sourcing, adds factory capacity to battle shortages

The ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage is causing delays, order cancellations and other supply disruptions for medical device companies.

By Greg Slabodkin • Oct. 26, 2021

6 charts show the effects of Vietnam's lockdowns on supply chains

Brands with high exposure to Vietnam are seeing port delays, canceled orders and slow capacity recovery after months of COVID-19 related restrictions.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 25, 2021

Supply chain woes hit school foodservice departments

Lack of truck drivers has some districts picking up their own food deliveries at central locations, such as warehouses to ensure there is food for school lunches. 

By Anna Merod • Oct. 25, 2021

P&G shifts suppliers, product formulas to avoid supply chain issues

A global supplier base has allowed the maker of Olay and Crest to optimize costs and "overcome short-term challenges," according to CFO Andre Schulten.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 22, 2021

Scale, buying power help big companies navigate supply chain disruptions

Large companies like Domino's, Levi's and Lowe's say their size has helped secure pricing and stay resilient despite other headwinds.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 21, 2021

4 tips to safeguard against corruption and theft in procurement

It doesn't take much for an unscrupulous supplier to take advantage of a naive planner, logistician or engineer to put companies in jeopardy.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 21, 2021

Food manufacturers see inflation, with organic soybean prices at record high

Poor growing conditions and rising demand challenge the supply of several food commodities including oats, corn and durum wheat.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 19, 2021