Procurement

  • BMW Phoenix Tailings rare earth metals
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    Provided by BMW Group 

     

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    BMW shores up EV rare earth materials source

    The automaker’s private equity firm invested in mining startup Phoenix Tailings, which is building a New Hampshire plant expected to begin production in June.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • A consumer dropping an old water bottle off in the mail to be returned
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    Courtesy of Hydro Flask
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    Hydro Flask maker builds inventory, bracing for tariff impact

    Helen of Troy is continuing to pursue diversified sourcing despite uncertainty around U.S. trade policies.

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
  • FedEx worker sort through a pile of boxes at the FedEx sort facility at the Oakland International Airport December 18, 2006 in Oakland, California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Retail Supply Chains

    Retailers are tapping technology and making operational investments to maintain supply chain resilience. Here’s how.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • A worker installs solar panels at the construction site of a new solar energy park as wind turbines spin behind on April 06, 2023 near Prenzlau, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Solv Energy names head of procurement

    Lyn Cowgill will manage procurement strategy and supply chain operations at the renewable energy company.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
  • Two orange robot arms handle food packages on a conference floor.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Supply Chain Dive
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    Deep Dive

    E-commerce packaging shows why it’s hip to be square

    Performance, efficiency and sustainability factors play a role in squared-off designs, along with the growing prevalence of robotics, industry leaders say.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2025
  • G+D's smart label is attached to a package for enhanced shipment tracking.
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    Courtesy of Giesecke+Devrient
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    How a new smart label tracks food’s supply chain journey

    Giesecke+Devrient's peel-and-stick label is launching ahead of looming FDA traceability requirements in 2026.

    By Nathan Owens • Jan. 10, 2025
  • Images of Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper, Bounty paper towels and Puff's tissue.
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    Courtesy of Procter & Gamble
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    Procter & Gamble to redefine wood pulp sourcing practices, advocacy group says

    The consumer goods company derived more than half of its wood pulp from Canada and the U.S. in 2023. 

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • Three U.S. Post Service workers sort packages at a distribution center.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Supply chain management trends to watch in 2025

    Retailers and manufacturers will continue to diversify their networks while leaning on new technology to safeguard processes and improve customer experiences. 

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • Picture of Shein office lobby.
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    Courtesy of Shein
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    Shein joins CBP’s import data sharing initiative

    The pilot program aims to prevent illegal and hazardous products from entering the U.S.

    By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 6, 2025
  • Donald Trump in business attire stands in a stage with an U.S. flag in the background
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    Anna Moneymaker/Staff via Getty Images
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    How retailers and manufacturers are navigating tariff concerns

    Companies are evaluating sourcing plans and procurement networks ahead of expected trade landscape changes under President-elect Donald Trump. 

    By • Jan. 6, 2025
  • Stacks of shiny silver steel plates.
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    SimoneN for iStock via Getty Images
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    US Steel streamlines procurement processes with AI-powered platform

    The steel producer is using GEP Software to analyze spend and forecasting while also managing its sourcing project pipeline.

    By • Jan. 3, 2025
  • An employee working with machine parts checks industrial equipment cables.
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    BulentBARIS via Getty Images
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    Demand ticks up as manufacturers pin hopes on Trump administration: PMI

    Despite concerns about potential tariffs, manufacturers expect growth in 2025.

    By • Jan. 3, 2025
  • Donald Trump addresses a crowd
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Trump is promising new tariffs. How should companies be preparing?

    Retailers and manufacturers that emphasize optionality in their supply chains will be best equipped to navigate a shifting trade landscape, experts say.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • An Academy Sports + Outdoors storefront.
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    Courtesy of Academy Sports and Outdoors
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    Academy Sports and Outdoors reduces China reliance by 20%

    The sports retailer continues to diversify its sourcing base as it plans for possible tariff hikes under the Trump administration. 

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • Pedestrians walk past Old Navy and GAP stores in Times Square
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Over 100 fashion brand supply chains linked to oil, gas fracking in Texas

    Old Navy, H&M and Adidas were among the 107 companies reported to be using textile materials generated by petrochemicals linked to the Permian Basin, per Stand.earth.  

    By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 2, 2025
  • Worker scanning barcode of cardboard packages before delivery at storage.
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    Ridofranz via Getty Images
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    Exploring the de minimis exemption’s role in supply chains

    The provision has come under fire in recent years, with any potential changes likely impacting manufacturing, parcel shipping and air cargo operations.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • Workers complete various tasks inside an alcohol warehouse.
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    Courtesy of Southern Glazer's
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    Southern Glazer’s sued by FTC for pricing discrimination

    The agency's complaint alleges the alcohol distributor has withheld volume discounts to smaller retailers while favoring larger chain stores since 2018.

    By • Dec. 19, 2024
  • A crowd of investors observes C.H. Robinson CEO Dave Bozeman presenting during the company's 2024 Investor Day in New York.
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    Permission granted by C.H. Robinson
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    Q&A

    ‘In the trenches’: CH Robinson CEO shares views on tariffs, nearshoring

    The brokerage giant, heavily involved in U.S.-Mexico truckload crossings, is focused on helping customers navigate potential changes in cross-border trade, CEO Dave Bozeman said.

    By • Dec. 18, 2024
  • Close up overhead view of full prescription bottles on stainless steel background
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    Stock via Getty Images
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    Drug Supply Chain Security Act: How Cencora supports compliance

    The drug distributor is helping manufacturers tackle compliance with the long-awaited law's implementation.

    By • Dec. 17, 2024
  • Several packages of Kirkland Organic Chicken Party Wings in a cooler.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Costco to ‘pull forward’ inventory buys amid tariff uncertainty

    “In general, of course, tariffs raise costs so that’s not something that we see as a positive,” CFO Gary Millerchip said on a Dec. 12 earnings call.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • Dec. 13, 2024
  • Workers in a line complete work on piles of pants.
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    Allison Joyce via Getty Images
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    2024’s top procurement insights

    Tariff mitigation and the de minimis debate dominated sourcing discussions this year.

    By • Dec. 12, 2024
  • President Joe Biden speaks at the White House on Dec. 8, 2024.
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    Pete Marovich via Getty Images
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    Biden unveils fresh China tariff hikes

    The duties will target critical solar energy inputs, including wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products, beginning Jan. 1.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • Hogs are raised on an Iowa farm.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Smithfield to sell 150K hogs, re-establishing independent supplier

    The deal allows Murphy Family Ventures to become an independent producer again while reducing Smithfield's livestock footprint.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • Inside a furniture store.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    La-Z-Boy ‘positioned relatively well’ ahead of China tariffs

    But proposed tariffs on Mexico could have a larger impact on the furniture retailer's supply chain.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • A sign with bright blue letters reads "Marshalls," on a building against a bright blue sky.
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    "Marshalls Store, Plainville, CT." by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Off-price retailers aren’t too worried about tariffs

    Among the many advantages that stores like TJX, Ross and Burlington have over mainstream retail companies: some protection from protectionism.

    By Daphne Howland • Dec. 9, 2024
  • Volkswagen ID.3 electric cars stand in the storage tower following assembly at the "Gläserne Manufaktur" ("Glass Manufactory") production facility on June 08, 2021 in Dresden, Germany.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Volkswagen’s PowerCo secures battery materials supply deal

    The five-year agreement with Australia-based Novonix, a manufacturer of synthetic graphite material, is slated to start in 2027.

    By • Dec. 6, 2024