Global sourcing and negotiations are hot topics at 2008 Indirect-MRO event

By Susan Avery -- Purchasing, 8/18/2008 12:59:00 AM

MRO buyers and industrial distributors alike are starting to think globally.

Results of recent surveys show both MRO purchasing professionals and industrial distributors are starting to think globally, but the trend toward sourcing maintenance, repair and operations items is still relatively new and perhaps a little intimidating to both parties.

There are plenty of challenges.

At an educational seminar held during the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM)  11^th Annual Indirect-MRO Group conference in Denver September 30, Michael Smith of Western Carolina University and Lee Buddress of Portland State University plan to detail the challenges associated with the global buy (i.e., pricing, industry consolidation, infrastructure deterioration) and help attendees develop long-range plans to deal with them.

The two profs also are set to give a day-long workshop on the topic immediately following the conference, which also offers up sessions on negotiating and measuring total cost of ownership (TCO)—both especially relevant to buyers and suppliers in a softening economy—as well as plenty of networking opportunities.

Joe Rice of Benedict Negotiation Seminars handles the negotiation duties. He also conducts an educational session on preparing strategically for any negotiation that promises attendees will learn how to create a successful position prior to going into a formal negotiation.

Tim Underhill of Strategic Business Solutions conducts the workshop on total costs and leads an educational session on the topic.

Purchasing professionals (Steve DeFord of Rockwell Collins, Terry Wahlgren of Eaton Corp., Tim Larson of Michael Foods and Drew Schramm of Herman Miller, among others) are also on the conference agenda, presenting real-life case studies of MRO sourcing strategy at their companies.

And there is a session on innovative new uses for purchasing cards.

Roundtable discussions on such hot topics as price inflation, sustainability, recruiting and retaining talent provide opportunity for conference attendees to network with peers in purchasing.

All sessions and workshops earn continuing education hours from ISM.

The event, including the workshops, takes place September 28 through October 1 at the Grand Hyatt Denver hotel.  

For information, contact conference chairman Joel Thomas at mrogroup@sbcglobal.net.

See also: Purchasing pros build a strong case for centralizing MRO buying