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Oil price drops at record pace

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:18:45 GMT

The price of a barrel of crude has fallen sharply following concerns over the state of the economy.

UK government must act

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:54:30 GMT

The chief executive of ProcServe, an e-procurement market place provider which operates Zanzibar, the platform on which some UK government departments buy online through, has warned that it must move quickly if it is to benefit from potential cost savings of £6bn.

Alcoa in $1bn procurement saving success

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:03:22 GMT

Aluminium giant Alcoa has reached $1bn in procurement savings in the first half of 2009, almost two-thirds of its overall target for the year.

Belgian postal supplier adopts spend management

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:38:01 GMT

The national postal supplier of Belgium, De Post - La Poste, has adopted a spend management solution to help with a transformational journey to maximise profitability and increase transparency before the liberalisation of postal services in 2011.

Automotive supplier hits the wall

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:05:43 GMT

Lear Corporation, one of the largest suppliers to the US automotive sector, has filed for bankruptcy protection after receiving support from lenders and bondholders.

White House focuses on food safety

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:55:26 GMT

The Barack Obama administration has put the safety of food supply chains at the top of its priority list in an attempt to reduce the contamination of eggs, poultry, fruit and vegetables.

Virtual procurement training facility launched

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:38:59 GMT

An online academy aimed at training up aspiring procurement professionals has been launched by ADR International, in conjunction with the Institute of Supply Management, in the US.

The worst of the recession is over, says BCC

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:58:45 GMT

The lowest point of the recession has been reached, according to the British Chambers of Commerce, but a recovery is still some way off.

Semiconductor sales increase

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:47:45 GMT

In a positive sign for the global economy, sales of semiconductors increased by 5.4% in May compared to April, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Chinese demand for iron ore soars

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:15:31 GMT

Despite failing to come to a contracted agreement on the price of iron ore, Chinese companies are buying the mineral at record rates, according to the world's second-largest mining company, Rio Tinto.

UK services sector growth slows

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:58:06 GMT

Growth in the UK services sector grew for the second consecutive month in June, although it slowed from the rate of expansion seen in May, according to the Markit/Cips services sector Purchasing Managers Index.

Tesco shareholders reject supply chain concerns

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:43:34 GMT

A motion forwarded by Unite to end the alleged exploitation of workers in Tesco's supply chain has been rejected by shareholders at the supermarket group's annual general meeting.

Tesco under fire for supplier relations

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:42:06 GMT

British retail giant Tesco - the third largest in the world - has come under fire from a worker's union over the conditions that some of its UK suppliers ask their staff to work under.

UK manufacturing slump slows

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:15:01 GMT

UK manufacturing activity slowed at its slowest rate for 12 months in June, as hopes of an end to the downturn continue to grow.

Boeing to gain control of its supply chain

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:34:13 GMT

In an attempt to get more control over its troubled 787 Dreamliner production operation, Boeing is in negotiations to buy operations from one its main suppliers.

Procurement concerns core to mining deal

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:20:57 GMT

The merger of two of the world's largest mining groups, Xstrata and Anglo American, may struggle to get approval because of concerns over the level of possible synergies the combination would provide.

Supply chain management key to Palm

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:06:50 GMT

Mobile technology company Palm has put the development of its supply chain and supply chain management at the top of its list of priorities as it continues to develop new technology.

Supplies run dry at drinks retailer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:48:51 GMT

British off-licence chain Threshers is suffering disruptions in its supply chain because of a reduction in credit insurance being offered to its suppliers.

DHL Supply Chain expands Chinese operation

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:11:27 GMT

DHL Supply Chain has announced plans to add 10 transportation hubs in China by the end of 2009, as it looks to cope with growing demand for domestic shipping.

MOD procurement under fire as project struggles to stay afloat

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:55:18 GMT

The procurement practices of the Ministry of Defence have come under fire after it emerged that the future of the project to build Britain's biggest aircraft carriers was in doubt.

Further woes at steel giant

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:20:54 GMT

A global slump in demand has led to steel giant Corus being forced to lay off a further 2,000 staff.

Procurement to blame for poor WPP performance

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:57:48 GMT

The boss of the world's largest marketing and communications group, WPP, has blamed the increased involvement of procurement in contract negotiations for his company's worse-than-expected performance.

Chinese protectionism a misunderstanding

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:49:19 GMT

Reports in the western media that the Chinese government was pursuing protectionist trade policies are the result of a misunderstanding, according to Chinese commerce minister Chen Deming.

Microsoft offers Windows 7 discount

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:14:51 GMT

Most organisations will still be feeling the pain of a long, expensive and ultimately unsatisfying upgrade to Windows Vista - an operating system which has received little in the way of acclaim.

7,000 BA staff accept pay cuts

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:03:23 GMT

In a stark example of the problems blighting the airline industry, iconic airline British Airways was forced to go to its staff, cap in hand, asking for money.