How to navigate procurement in a post-merger world

Industry experts argue that an ideal scenario has the procurement department come in before finalizing a deal, so it can analyze potential savings and hiccups down the road.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Aug. 29, 2019

Hospitals ration treatment due to supply shortages of immune globulin drug

The reintroduction of an intravenous immune globulin product to the U.S. market could help ease a supply crunch.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Aug. 29, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management as an effective strategy against tariffs.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Williams-Sonoma pulling forward 'as much inventory as possible' ahead of list 4 tariffs

The retailer on Wednesday raised its full-year net revenue forecast for the second time this year, even after factoring in the tariff increases the Trump administration announced last week.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 29, 2019

China to add tariffs on $75B of US imports

One batch of duties will begin Sept. 1 and the other Dec. 15, mirroring the U.S. schedule and putting American agricultural exporters in a tough situation. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 23, 2019

Swine disease adds uncertainty, volatility to meat supply chains, execs say

African swine fever has wiped out 5% of global animal protein supply, creating drastic price fluctuations in a market already rocked by the U.S.-China trade war. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 23, 2019

A multicultural supply chain demands social awareness and respect

A training designed to prevent cultural gaffes at my company improved my negotiating process, as I learned to focus on supplier performance and the job at hand, not on cultural nuances and differences.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 22, 2019

US and Mexico agree to tomato truce

An anti-dumping investigation resumed in May when the U.S. Department of Commerce formally terminated a 2013 agreement with Mexico, triggering a 17.5% tariff on Mexican fresh and chilled tomatoes. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 22, 2019

Kohl's 12-quarter inventory reduction streak ends

As new tariffs encourage inventory pull-forward and fulfillment commitments for e-commerce orders speed up, retailers have had to rethink where to store inventory and what healthy stock levels look like. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 21, 2019

3D printing can reduce lead times and inventory, but it's not for everything

More than 40% of 1,300 3D printing users cited lower lead times as a benefit of 3D printing in a recent survey.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 19, 2019

Asos intervenes when supplier cuts off wages, water, food to workers

Working with a local labor union and the Mauritian government, Asos facilitated wage payouts after the factory stopped paying workers months before liquidation.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 19, 2019

AAFA: 77% of apparel, footwear imports to face tariffs Sept. 1

Although tariffs on some clothing and footwear are delayed until Dec. 15, the majority will still face duties at the beginning of next month. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 16, 2019

Kraft Heinz's comeback begins after months of procurement scandal

A bonus structure that rewarded cost-cutting above all else and insufficient review of supplier contracts led to years of procurement misconduct. A new CEO is charged with the turnaround. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 15, 2019

VA, Defense Logistics Agency agree to centralize medical procurement for cost savings

Previous efforts in contract negotiations resulted in $1 billion in savings on prescription drug purchases. 

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 15, 2019

Will Walmart raise prices to mitigate tariffs?

The CFO warned in May tariffs would lead to price hikes, but analysts say Walmart has enough volume in its supply chain to keep consumers insulated from tariffs.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 15, 2019

Advance Auto Parts mitigates tariff impact through supplier collaboration, price hikes

The auto parts retailer's CFO highlighted how, even though gross profit margin declined in Q2, advanced preparation and reliance of in-house inventory will help it weather the storm. 

By Andy Burt • Aug. 14, 2019

USTR: 10% tariffs on 'certain' clothing, electronics from China delayed to Dec. 15

Chinese imports not included on USTR's forthcoming list will still face 10% duties on Sept. 1, as President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Tyson shifts production after plant fire to 'keep supply chain full'

A dip in processing capacity will likely manifest in a depleted and pricier spot market for beef, according to consultants. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 13, 2019

Maker of Saucony, Keds ups inventory 30% ahead of September tariffs

CEO Blake Krueger said it is too early to determine what the impact will be on 2020 consumer pricing, as the company is holding its mitigation strategies until tariffs take effect.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 13, 2019

Is Walmart doing enough to protect workers in its supply chain?

The retailer has been auditing, investigating and reporting on its supply chain to clean up labor abuses, but experts say many of the current best practices fall short.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 12, 2019

Picking the right procurement KPIs for your business

Key performance indicators related to suppliers, staff and organizational performance serve as measurement tools to keep businesses on track.

By Rich Weissman • Aug. 8, 2019

Procurement platform C2FO gets $200M backing from SoftBank

C2FO said the Series G raise will go toward expanding the platform's reach in new industries and among middle-market buyers. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 8, 2019

S&P: 10% list 4 tariffs more damaging than previous 3

Technology firms are particularly at risk, as funds directed to moving global supply chains lead to less money available to invest in R&D.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 8, 2019

Tariff whiplash is already taking a toll on retail

Retailers and brands have been scrambling to source elsewhere besides China, but it's not easy, quick or even possible for everyone.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 5, 2019

IBM launches blockchain supplier management platform with Anheuser-Busch, Nokia, others

Trust Your Supplier aims to digitize and secure paper-based supplier information, qualification, onboarding and management processes with a full commercial rollout planned for the third quarter of the year.

By Morgan Forde • Aug. 5, 2019

10% China tariffs and the supply chain scramble

The tariffs will come as importers ramp up shipments for peak season, creating the potential to disrupt global supply chains and trade flows for the remainder of the year. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 2, 2019