Procurement

Increased containerboard output not enough to keep prices down

Corrugated and solid box prices shot up during the first half of 2021, despite remaining flat or even falling throughout much of 2020.

By A.B. Brown • June 17, 2021

Resilience, consumer market in Asia and protectionism in North America limit reshoring prospects: report

Asia's export share is expected to grow two percentage points to reach 38%, according to a forecast by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

By Matt Leonard • June 17, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

The Supply Chain Dive Outlook on 2021

The early parts of 2021 reveal a continuation of 2020's trends, making it clear the pandemic will affect the supply chain ecosystem long term. 

By Supply Chain Dive staff

CFOs question just-in-time supply chains

Pandemic-related disruptions made it clear a broader strategic approach is needed even once a supply and demand equilibrium is restored.

By Ted Knutson • June 15, 2021

US, EU suspend tariffs on $11.5B worth of goods trapped in aircraft dispute

Duties were 15% on aircraft products and 25% on non-aircraft products, including spirits, wine, food products and machinery.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 15, 2021

Out-of-stocks cost Chewy an estimated $40M in sales

Chewy's inventories were up 9% YoY, but it had to keep up with sales rising nearly 32% YoY.

By Matt Leonard • June 15, 2021

USDA to invest over $4B to strengthen the food supply chain

The agency's investments through the Build Back Better Initiative are part of the Biden administration’s efforts to make U.S. supply chains more resilient.

By A.B. Brown • June 11, 2021

Kimberly-Clark taps biotech supplier for alternative to single-use plastics

The CPG brand's strategy is to focus on products that have large global demand for sustainability first, and go from there.

By A.B. Brown • June 10, 2021

Column

Are Zoom negotiations here to stay? Here's 3 tips to prepare.

The power of in-person visits cannot be understated, but buyers can use many of the same tactics to negotiate effectively over Zoom.

By Rich Weissman • June 10, 2021

White House supply chain report outlines reshoring ambitions

The document provides a series of recommendations on where and how the U.S. can build up domestic capacity.

By Matt Leonard • June 09, 2021

Brands turn to air cargo as inventory delays continue

The companies behind brands such as Levi Strauss and Tommy Hilfiger said they are expediting more shipments to keep up with sales.

By Edwin Lopez • June 08, 2021

Supply chain managers shift reshoring focus to total cost of ownership

Inventory challenges have led manufacturers to consider total cost as a key sourcing metric over price per unit alone, according to the State of North American Manufacturing report.

By Edwin Lopez • June 07, 2021

Albertsons jumps on early payment trend to boost supplier diversity

Early payments give suppliers access to capital and the ability to scale, the company said.

By Edwin Lopez • June 03, 2021

Opinion

Procurement can't ignore market intel — especially now

The turbulence in the paperboard market is just one area that pushed companies to consider creative alternatives over the last year.

By Praveen Kumar Soni • June 03, 2021

HP, Dell adjust supply chains as shortages linger

Dell is prioritizing "more valuable places for" components and HP is building its inventory levels.

By Matt Leonard • June 03, 2021

Sponsored by Quickbase

The 4 biggest challenges facing sourcing and procurement professionals

Organizations need to solve the biggest challenges of sourcing and procurement to better plan for future disruption.

By Kayla Mackay, Solutions Marketing Manager, Quickbase • June 01, 2021

Coronavirus surge in India hits raw materials, manufacturing across multiple industries

Industries that use oxygen for production have curbed output to reserve supplies for critically ill patients, one analyst said.

By Matt Leonard • May 28, 2021

Disruptions to rare earth supply would be far-reaching at time of heightened demand: DOE

The Department of Energy study found a single year of not exporting rare earths and two years of mine closures could result in years of price, production and capacity impacts.

By A.B. Brown • May 27, 2021

Why lumber prices are spiking

An economist expects the labor part of the sawmill problem to start resolving itself later this year but prices to remain high into 2022.

By Jen A. Miller • May 27, 2021

Kroger announces competition to attract, support fresh suppliers

Fifteen companies will pitch a panel of judges this summer in Cincinnati for the chance to have the grocer stock their products.

By Sam Silverstein • May 26, 2021

Casper sidesteps product shortage with third-party manufacturers

The company's CEO expects its manufacturing base to be a "critical benefit" as sourcing improves long-term.

By A.B. Brown • May 20, 2021

Column

Donate your procurement skills to community service

It’s time to use expertise to help community service organizations meet their missions, grow and prosper.

By Rich Weissman • May 20, 2021

Series: When supply chain and marketing intersect

The supply chain and marketing departments have historically been disparate. But that's changed as supply chains have entered the public eye.

Opinion

Inventory accuracy is a must-have to cut waste in supply chains

The hard cost of wasted inventory in the grocery industry — known as shrink — is critical in addressing today's weighty climate change and food insecurity issues, the author writes. 

By Stefan Kalb • May 18, 2021

Toyota, citing lessons learned from 2011 earthquake, expects no major semiconductor impact

The automaker's production fell 78% after the earthquake, prompting an inventory rethink.

By Matt Leonard • May 14, 2021

Chocolate makers map 600K cocoa farms in Ghana, Ivory Coast

Companies increased traceability efforts in 2020, tracking more than 74% of purchases in the two countries, according to the World Cocoa Foundation.

By A.B. Brown • May 13, 2021