Procurement

EU proposes tariffs on $20B of US imports

The possibility of tariffs sounds a warning bell for U.S. companies with global supply chains that import from or export to the EU.
By Shefali Kapadia • April 18, 2019
UPS leads $48M funding round for 3D printing startup

Fast Radius has been working with UPS since 2016 as the logistics company moves into on-demand manufacturing.
By Matt Leonard • April 16, 2019
As supply chains get tech savvy, is cybersecurity keeping pace?

With interconnected supply chains, a hack on one supplier can jeopardize an entire business.
By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • April 16, 2019
EU green lights US trade talks amid tariff threats

The negotiations come at a time of heightened tension between the two trade blocs as they threaten tariffs on billions of dollars worth of products.
By Shefali Kapadia • April 15, 2019
IBM's blockchain for food gains major US grocer

IBM's Food Trust system has not yet been tested at scale, so more participants of Albertsons' size can only improve the experiment.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 12, 2019
3 ways to succeed in category management

Category management isn't right for every business, but for those looking to try it out, a market analysis is often the first step.
By Shefali Kapadia • April 10, 2019
Automation opportunities in procurement still fly under the radar

A survey by the Institute for Supply Management asked a simple question: "Have you heard of RPA?" More than 60% of the 432 respondents did not know it stood for robotic process automation.
By Matt Leonard • April 09, 2019
US proposes tariffs on $11B of EU imports

The announcement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative creates further turmoil for businesses trying to navigate trade policy, adjust their supply chains and mitigate tariff cost.
By Shefali Kapadia • April 09, 2019
Boeing cuts MAX 8 production by 19%

Before the two crashes, Boeing was about to up production of the MAX 8 to 57 planes per month, and suppliers were likely gearing up. But at least one Boeing supplier is ostensibly unphased by the slowdown.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 09, 2019
8 strategies GE is using to mitigate tariff cost

GE was hit hard by tariffs, missing its operations targets by tens of millions of dollars after they went into place. This is how it's dealt with the new reality.
By Matt Leonard • April 08, 2019
New partnership establishes the blockchain of taste

High tech tracking company Ripe.io and real-time rating app FlavorWiki join forces so buyers and suppliers can understand the taste profile of produce as it moves through the supply chain.
By Megan Poinski • April 08, 2019
SAP Ariba, American Express partner to bring visibility to payments

The automation of payment reconciliation could provide increased transparency and strengthen buyer-supplier relationships.
By Matt Leonard • April 05, 2019
Trump calls for new tactics to fight counterfeits

White House National Trade Council Peter Navarro reportedly called the memorandum a "warning shot" for e-commerce marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and Alibaba.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 04, 2019
Adidas' 'supply chain shortages' offer a cautionary tale

While it's not clear exactly what internal dynamics caused the shortage, experts agree agility and data management can help supply chains avoid the same fate as Adidas.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 03, 2019
IMO 2020 could cause M&A uptick among carriers

Drewry posits carriers may seek to consolidate to achieve greater price stability, especially as scrubber cost and fuel markets make for much more unpredictable waters in the months and even years to come.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 03, 2019
Chemical company revives 'stale' operations with SAP implementation

Old World Industries recently transitioned from a manual procurement and fulfillment processes to a more digitized operation.
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • April 03, 2019
Protesters call for Wendy's to end use of unnecessary antibiotics in beef supply chain

U.S. PIRG said the restaurant chain has a chance to differentiate itself, but Wendy's will likely not be alone for long in efforts to remove medically unnecessary antibiotics from its beef supply.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 01, 2019
H&M pledges 100% sustainable cotton by 2020

The commitment to recycled or sustainably-produced cotton is part of a larger plan to convert to recycled or sustainable materials exclusively by 2030.
By Emma Cosgrove • April 01, 2019
Target includes supplier emissions in new climate goals

This marks the first time Target has taken its entire supply chain, which represents 96% of Target's total emissions, into account when calculating total greenhouse gas emissions.
By Emma Cosgrove • March 28, 2019
Fuel prices may rise amid crop loss from Midwest flooding

Nebraska is the third-largest producer of corn in the country and second in ethanol production. An estimated 13% of U.S. ethanol supply is affected by flooding.
By Emma Cosgrove • March 28, 2019
Mars discloses Tier 1 cocoa suppliers in step toward supply chain transparency

Releasing suppliers, along with other recent moves, backs up Mars' Cocoa for Generations plan, announced in September, which has the aim of attaining a deforestation-free cocoa supply chain by 2025.
By Emma Cosgrove • March 27, 2019
Column
Procurement, seeking respect, may be looking for a seat at the wrong table

Respect from senior management is critical, but it may be unhelpful when dealing with suppliers.
By Rich Weissman • March 25, 2019
Slow progress prompts new thinking around deforestation in palm oil supply chains

Companies with expressed goals for ridding their palm oil supply chains of deforestation are learning that quick fixes aren't going to cut it.
By Emma Cosgrove • March 22, 2019
Alibaba platform adds procurement, fulfillment services

The new initiatives, coupled with recent logistics acquisitions, offer an advantage to international brands that see potential in the Chinese market but are unsure how best to target consumers.
By Shefali Kapadia • March 22, 2019
Williams-Sonoma shifts sourcing to plan for 25% tariffs

The question remains what impact planning for a tariff increase will have on the balance sheet this time next year.
By Emma Cosgrove • March 22, 2019