Procurement

Governors call for better centralized procurement of COVID-19 testing supplies

"When we expect 180,000 diverse swabs and get 180,000 foam swabs, we're grateful for the foam swabs. But that means we can't do all those other types of tests," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.​

By Rebecca Pifer • June 04, 2020

Opinion

An unexpected risk of COVID-19: Canceled supplier audits

While it’s hard to fault a company for canceling audits during a pandemic, it’s important to understand what’s at stake, and have a plan in place to mitigate new risks, writes Sylvain Guyoton, SVP of research at EcoVadis.

By Sylvain Guyoton • June 04, 2020

Retailer-supplier collaboration has improved, but there's more work to be done

Eighty-five percent of retailers surveyed by Coresight Research say collaboration has gotten better but all respondents cite data sharing, communication issues and a lack of trust as roadblocks.

By Jeff Wells • June 04, 2020

Alibaba integrates freight procurement into B2B e-commerce site

Shippers using Alibaba's platform will be able to compare rates on ocean and air shipments, and track them in real time. 

By Matt Leonard • June 02, 2020

US manufacturing recovers slightly in May, demand challenges remain: ISM

The Institute for Supply Management projects an uphill battle to recovery in 2021 as new order numbers reached their second lowest level since 2008.

By Morgan Forde • June 01, 2020

Procurement leaders split between cost savings and tech investment for strategic recovery

Many firms are in survival mode as revenue drops as much as 80%, but spending on digital efforts upfront can pay off in the long run.

By Morgan Forde • May 28, 2020

Column

Now is the time to negotiate indirect spend

Economic uncertainty will drive many businesses to slash indirect spend, but that's a missed opportunity to take greater control of the category during a buyer's market. 

By Rich Weissman • May 28, 2020

Deep Dive

How tariffs ravaged the COVID-19 medical supply chain

Months into the pandemic, the U.S. faces an ongoing shortage of PPE and some of it is still subject to tariffs.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • May 27, 2020

AutoZone rethinks supplier diversity after coronavirus disrupts parts supply chain

The company has already begun searching for new sourcing countries, but expanding the geographic diversity of its supply chain will be a long game, according to CEO William Rhodes. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 27, 2020

Deep Dive

Canceled orders, delayed payments: How supplier collaboration could reverse apparel's nose dive

Stakeholders envision a future where demand, not merchandisers, drive fashion supply chains, and buyers bring vendors into the planning process.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2020

Supplier relationships go virtual, data-driven as pandemic pauses travel

The pandemic has placed greater focus on remote communication, audits and quality assurances with suppliers.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 21, 2020

2 Ford facilities reopen for second time in a week

The auto industry has been open about its hurdles during the pandemic, as positive coronavirus tests can halt production at multiple stages in the supply chain.

By Matt Leonard • May 21, 2020

Kohl's expects to reduce receipts 60% in Q2, even as stores open

Addressing inventory was the first action executives took when it became clear stores would need to close, CEO Michelle Gass ​said.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 21, 2020

Column

COVID-19 may put industrial distribution back in the game

Manufacturers may look to their industrial distribution network as an opportunity to satisfy more customers and rebuild their market share.

By Rich Weissman • May 19, 2020

Daimler temporarily suspends production in Alabama over supplier issues

The Mexican automotive supplier base has been a big question mark when it comes to the sector's ability to restart operations in the coming days.

By Matt Leonard • May 18, 2020

64% of manufacturers say reshoring is likely following pandemic: survey

Among industries, manufacturing reported the most interest in nearshoring, with 28% saying they were "extremely likely" to bring more sourcing back to North America following the pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • May 14, 2020

RPA projects fail because of complexity and misunderstanding

Automation will play a starring role in how businesses deal with the effects of the pandemic. But automation for automation's sake means sinking resources into failed projects.

By Roberto Torres • May 14, 2020

Cargill expands work against child labor in cocoa supply chains as pandemic worries advocates

Advocates warn the coronavirus pandemic may exacerbate child labor practices because schools are closed and monitoring groups are less able to circulate in at-risk communities. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 14, 2020

China waives retaliatory tariffs on 79 US import categories

The imports eligible for waivers include semiconductor parts, medical disinfectants, rare earth metals and chemical products.

By Morgan Forde • May 13, 2020

45% of apparel buyers working with suppliers to cut costs: McKinsey

A survey of 116 apparel sourcing executives found one-fifth are paying for 75% or more of their orders as originally agreed, while 18% are paying no vendors as agreed.

By Emma Cosgrove • May 07, 2020

Opinion

The 5 calling cards of a strong supplier relationship

A crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is possibly the best time to work on building stronger relationships with new and pre-existing suppliers, writes Neils Bray, an account manager at LINTEC Automotive.

By Neils Bray • May 07, 2020

USDA to purchase $470M in surplus meat, dairy and produce

After facing criticism that the government's efforts have been slow to help producers during the pandemic, the department said this will allow food to be distributed to communities nationwide.

By Lillianna Byington • May 05, 2020

Quarterly inventories fall for first time since 2018

Depleted inventories in the first quarter were largely the result of supply issues, but this will transition to a demand-driven reduction moving forward, experts suggest.

By Matt Leonard • May 04, 2020

Industrial distributors contend with decades of demand for protective SKUs

W.W. Grainger, Fastenal, MSC Industrial and the like have gained new status as essential suppliers, but their future rides on successful procurement of products not usually at the center of their strategy. 

By Emma Cosgrove • May 04, 2020

7 states form regional supply chain to buy $5B in medical equipment to fight coronavirus

Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island want to use their combined purchasing power to drive down prices for in-demand items like ventilators and personal protective equipment.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 04, 2020