Procurement

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

The maker of Olay and Crest says a global supplier base has allowed it 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

Legislators propose federal office to manage supply chain crises

A new bill would create the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response to monitor and respond to disruptions.

By Colin Campbell • Oct. 18, 2021

After years of 'Made in China,' supply chains consider alternatives

The change in tone from U.S.-based supply chains is not a mass exodus from China. Instead, it's an approach that embraces diversification. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Oct. 14, 2021

Steel prices soar as businesses rush to rebuild supply chains

The pandemic pushed more companies to stock up on products or reshore manufacturing. That's beginning to put a strain on raw materials.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 14, 2021

Hardware price hikes are here to stay

Analysis of Cisco's latest earnings report shows it's likely that price increases will be locked in for at least another year or two, experts say.

By Allen Bernard • Oct. 14, 2021

Mars pledges net zero emissions by 2050 across its full value chain

The food giant is tying executive pay to climate action, and will challenge its more than 20,000 suppliers to set their own commitments.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 12, 2021

Major paint supplier looks to overcome resin shortages with new Texas facility

RPM International said it lost 300 production days after a February winter storm and an explosion at a major supplier led to shortages. Now, it's purchasing assets to add resilience.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 11, 2021

Companies report rising inflation in freight, raw materials: Gartner

After failing to make long-term investments in their supply chain at the start of the pandemic, many organizations are staring down eroding margins and higher costs.

By Jane Thier • Oct. 11, 2021

Steel and roofing materials shortage hamstrings construction industry

Rising costs, tight supplies and months-long lead times have pushed companies to delay projects or find substitutes.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 07, 2021

Siloed data presents a hurdle to tracing tiers of the supply chain

As procurement pros seek deeper relationships with suppliers, they often find vital information is not available in digital forms.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Oct. 07, 2021

With denim trends in its favor, Levi's shrugs off the price of cotton

The brand is mitigating expenses thanks to its tight supply chain control and maintaining momentum due in large part to its direct sales to customers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 07, 2021

Semiconductor shortage, lean inventories stifle memory chip demand

Micron, a memory chip maker, says its inventory is at its lowest level in years and its customers are also short on components.

By Max Garland • Oct. 05, 2021

Delayed exports clog the wood pulp, toilet paper supply chain

Purchase limits at Costco and Sam's Club have more to do with raw material delays than a renewed run on toilet paper, one expert said.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 30, 2021

Stressed supply chain turns into silver lining for UNFI

Keeping retailers stocked has "been a roller-coaster ride," one executive said. But the food distributor's purchasing capabilities have helped it gain more business.

By Jeff Wells , Edwin Lopez • Sept. 30, 2021

How a software bill of materials can help guard against supply chain cyberattacks

Having software suppliers provide an "ingredient list" for their products can help speed the process of mitigating and responding to cyberattacks, experts said.

By Samantha Schwartz • Sept. 29, 2021

3 tips for launching your responsible sourcing program

Learn how to take the first steps towards a responsible and diverse sourcing program.

By Kayla Mackay • Sept. 27, 2021

Shortages have created a 'traffic jam' in construction: Lennar

A lack of labor and items, including vinyl siding and wood windows, are delaying production and creating "a game of whack-a-mole" for the industry.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 24, 2021

Supplier diversity importance grows, but hurdles remain

A third of businesses in a Jaggaer-Tealbook survey said they had "difficulty identifying diverse suppliers that also meet procurement criteria."

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 23, 2021

Procuring sustainable coffee cups presents a blend of challenges

Increased global demand and recycling setbacks during the pandemic point to the need for better systems within the supply chain.

By Jen A. Miller • Sept. 23, 2021

How Pfizer transformed its supply chain to deliver vaccines at lightspeed

In a span of months, the company strengthened its production power for pandemic-level demand.

By Max Garland • Sept. 21, 2021

Supply chain challenges aren't going away anytime soon

Businesses and consumers should prepare for continued disruption and increased costs, writes a supply chain expert at CBRE.

By Joe Dunlap • Sept. 21, 2021

PepsiCo to cut use of virgin plastic as part of broad sustainability goal

The Fritos and Gatorade manufacturer is embracing a more ambitious agenda to reduce reliance on new plastics as consumers continue to pressure brands to shrink their environmental footprints.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 20, 2021