Supplier negotiation could become more science than art: survey

A survey of 500 senior procurement decision managers found that 66% of them believe digital skills will overtake people skills in supplier negotiations in the coming years. 

By Morgan Forde • Jan. 23, 2020

Trade war will lead to global recession: survey

The uncertainty surrounding a possible recession requires supply chain managers to tread cautiously and firm up risk management strategies.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 23, 2020

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AI in Supply Chain Management

Warehouse automation, logistics management and procurement processes are just a few of the ways companies are using AI to streamline their supply chains.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Office workers hate data entry, automation company says

Workers say routine tasks like data entry and filing documents eats into their productivity, an opportunity robotic process automation vendors want to seize. 

By Roberto Torres • Jan. 21, 2020

Nestlé to invest up to $2B in sustainable packaging

The global company wants to lead the shift to food-grade recycled plastics and accelerate the development of more environmentally friendly solutions with a venture fund.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 17, 2020

Trader Joe's, CVS get low marks on chocolate supply chains

If retailers make the decision to buy chocolate based on labor and environmental standards it can help shift the industry in the right direction, Green America noted in its study.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 16, 2020

Why procurement planning is critical ahead of Chinese New Year

Smart U.S. companies have plans in place to accommodate disruptions that come with the holiday, such as delayed production, slower shipping and tight capacity.

By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 16, 2020

USMCA will enter into force July 1

The trade deal promises streamlined digital trade and higher duty-free thresholds in a win for small- and medium-sized shippers.

By Morgan Forde • Updated April 27, 2020

Supply chain certifications: What's new?

Just as the business world evolves, associations offering supply chain certifications are revamping them to include relevant content.

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 16, 2020

Walmart opens new beef supply chain facility

The retailer first shared plans to create its own end-to-end beef supply chain last April, noting the importance of meeting customer demand for transparency and improved food quality. 

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 15, 2020

H&M's AI operation helps make its supply chain more sustainable

With precisely honed demand forecasts, supply chains can use only the resources they need and no more.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 14, 2020

Boeing supplier's 2.8K layoffs highlight scale of supply chain disruption

Spirit AeroSystems blamed the layoffs on Boeing's decision to stop 737 Max production and said it's not clear when manufacturing could begin again.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2020

What are the top supply chain trends of 2020? 4 experts weigh in

2019 trends including automation, speedy operations and changing global supply chains will likely carry over and intensify this year.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 13, 2020

Recession ahead? 6 ways buyers can reduce risk

A prolonged period of economic health has lulled buyers and suppliers alike into a false sense of security.

By Rich Weissman • Jan. 9, 2020

Coupa acquires travel startup Yapta to boost spend management platform

Software vendors use acquisitions to make their suites more comprehensive and encompass numerous procurement functions.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 9, 2020

Trade tensions drag manufacturing to lowest level since 2009

December 2019 was the fifth straight month in which the ISM manufacturing index contracted. Phase one of a U.S.-China trade deal could bolster several industries. 

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 6, 2020

Blockchain-backed app puts coffee supply chain map in consumer hands

The plan is to use farmer IDs to track growing conditions, record transactions and follow yields and sales prices. 

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 6, 2020

China to lower tariffs on hundreds of products Jan. 1

Products set for lower tariffs include imported frozen pork, frozen avocados, non-frozen orange juice, wood and paper products and some components for high-tech electronics.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 23, 2019

2020: Will procurement risk intensify?

The complicated economic, political and technological issues of 2019 are unsolved and will roll into the new year, so procurement managers need to look behind the headlines to stay ahead.

By Rich Weissman • Dec. 19, 2019

Fiat, PSA merger could create $1.6B in procurement savings

The deal comes as automakers invest billions to secure the supply and partnerships needed for electric and autonomous vehicles.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 19, 2019

Trump administration lays out plans to import drugs from abroad

Drug importation as a policy has a long history, but has been rejected in the past over concerns about supply chain security and regulatory resources. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 18, 2019

How a spirits company reduced stranded inventory with rolling forecasts

The company lost sales when its popular products were out of stock, so it stopped using static forecasts to anticipate demand.

By Robert Freedman • Dec. 15, 2019

Trump to sign phase 1 of China trade deal Jan. 15

The president said he would travel to Beijing "at a later date" to begin discussions on the second phase of the deal. No new details were released by Trump nor the U.S. Trade Representative on what was in the first phase of the deal.

By Shefali Kapadia • Dec. 13, 2019

Supply challenges could delay McDonald's chicken sandwich launch, analysts predict

McDonald's supply chain offers a bit of insulation. A research firm noted McDonald's uses chickens that are between 5 and 7 pounds, while Chick-fil-A and Popeyes use 5-pound birds.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 12, 2019

How to assess risks in a globalized supply chain

While it can expand reach and profitability, globalization can be a stumbling block for businesses, exposing firms to interruptions in supply, stock-outs, quality problems and supplier management issues.

By Jon Kirchoff, PhD • Dec. 12, 2019

Walgreens, Kroger form group purchasing organization

Despite sparse precedent, it's not too difficult to imagine that either Kroger or Walgreens would want more buying power since their combined revenue is still dwarfed by giants like Walmart and CVS Health. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 12, 2019