Tin surpasses $11/lb for first time ever
Statistical news releases in China and Indonesia are confirming supply limitations for tin, triggering a London Metal Exchange (LM) price above $25,000/metric ton.
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ArvinMeritor to add steel surcharge as prices increase
With hot-rolled steel sheet prices tracking to costs an average $995/ton this year, auto parts maker ArvinMeritor will add monthly commodity surcharges on all products ordered on or after June 1 to offset rising costs for steel and other commodities.
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Natixis expects slightly weaker gold and silver prices
In a precious metals market report, Natixis Commodity Markets in London expects prices for gold to average $875 /troy ounce in 2008 and silver to average $16.50/oz, which implies slightly weaker prices as the year progresses.  Read more>>

Toyota delays opening of U.S. SUV plant
Japan’s Toyota Motor has decided to delay the launch of its sport-utility vehicle plant in Mississippi by about half a year and ramp up production more slowly than it had planned.  Read more>>
 

Webcast today 2PM EDT: Spend Visibility
The webcast will investigate the business case for investing in spend visibility solutions and also critical success factors for implementing these tools.
 

MRO Supply Reducing MRO costs for a leading petrochemical company A leader in the petrochemical industry wanted to streamline maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supply across the company without jeopardizing existing operations. After a detailed supply chain analysis, Exel designed and delivered a unique solution that met these needs and reduced on-site inventory and transportation costs. Click here to download your FREE copy of this report.

MONDAY MIDDAY BUSINESS REPORT 
Watch the video in our new and improved player
>> Click here to watch the video

Polaris teams with supplier Bosch to build new EFI system Involving suppliers early in the design process has many benefits – lower costs, faster time to market, and better customer experience, to name just a few. In this Success from the Trenches audiocast, Dave Dickirson, Director of Powertrain Purchasing for leading ATV producer Polaris Industries details the company’s successful collaboration with electronic fuel-injection system supplier Bosch.  Click here to view the video.

SPECIAL REPORTS
Purchasingdata.com Reports
>> Chemicals Flash Report 
>> Quarterly Energy Flash Report
>> Quarterly Transaction Price Forecast
>> Monthly Steel Flash Report
>> Monthly Cold-Rolled Sheet Report & Forecast 
For more price data and forecasts, visit www.purchasingdata.com.

Cisco cuts time-to-market by 30% in just 12 months In this three-part Success from the Trenches audiocast series, Cisco Vice Presidents of Production Operations/Supply Chain, Jim Miller and Prentis Wilson, outline how the company has cut time from concept to first customer shipment by 30% in just 12 months while also increasing quality, ramping production faster, and reducing work in process by up to 20%. Click here to view the video.

COMMODITIES COUNCIL FORECAST PODCASTS
>> Click here to listen to all their views and their advice on what buyers should look for.

PURCHASING'S 2007 SALARY SURVEY
>> Click here for the results
>> Compare the new report to the 2006 Salary Survey

BLACK BELT NEGOTIATORS
>> True stories of business collaboration
Purchasing’s smartest negotiators move from conflict to collaboration fast. Match your wits against these pros. Guess their strategy. Then, read what they really did.

Are you a black belt negotiator? Tell us about one of your negotiation successes, and we’ll print it so others can learn from your experience. Send it to pteague@reedbusiness.com