Purchasing's value—It's everywhere you look
Mike Verespej, Editor-in-Chief -- Purchasing, 11/4/2004 2:00:00 AM
On a picture-perfect Sunday in New England last month, my wife and I found ourselves standing on a bridge in northwest Maine, admiring the glistening beauty of Pennacock Falls in its autumn splendor, thankful for the opportunity to see such a magnificent site.
Behind us, in the valley below, the coated paper mill of MeadWestvaco blended seamlessly into the sky, seemingly at peace with the hilltops that surrounded it.
What does that have to do with procurement? Nothing. At least not until you drive around the corner and around the way and see a sign, on a small building across the plant, informing passers-by that inside are the offices of procurement services for the mill.
Yes, even in the small town of Rumford (population 5,491), you can't escape the importance of good purchasing to the financial health of manufacturers and the towns where their plants and offices are located.
And, how appropriate I thought, as senior editor Susan Avery had just finished researching and writing an article (page 49) on how MeadWestvaco—formed by a merger in 2002—has integrated purchasing at the two companies and how their procurement professionals are working with plants locations, such as the one in Rumford, to identify ways to add value through purchasing.
That's also my pledge to our valued readers—to work with you to bring you the value-added editorial information that you need to work smarter, faster, more efficiently and more productively as you purchase goods and integrate your operations into your company's supply chain.
As a magazine, we'll address the issues that impact you daily on the job with the same passion and drive that made the late Sen. Ed Muskie—a native son of Rumford—a well-respected senator and a staunch defender and activist in preserving clean air and clean water in this country.
Your concerns are our concerns. Let us know what makes your job difficult and how we can better provide both strategic and tactical information—and solutions—that helps you as purchasing and supply chain professionals. Just write me at michael.verespej@reedbusiness.com
Now Playing: 