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Staples takeover target tries end-around ploy
Corporate Express believes the best defense is a strong offense, as the Staples takeover target makes a $2.7 billion bid for French peer Lyreco.
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Downstream inflation shows up in Producer Prices Index
Producers have started to modestly pass higher raw materials costs downstream to the prices of finished goods. Read more>>
NBSK pulp prices are rising $20/metric ton
Domtar informed North American customers this week that it will increase prices by $20/metric ton to $900 on northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp, effective June 1. Read more>>
Bismuth prices slip a little but may rebound
Bismuth has slipped to $15.11/lb this month from $15.70 in April but remains higher than February’s cyclical low of $12.50 as demand for the material as a substitute for lead in metalworked products has started to slip. Read more>>
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MORE PRICE + SUPPLY NEWS
UPS to move Asian logistics hub to China
UPS says the growing manufacturing center north of Shenzhen, China, and increased intra-Asian shipping activity have led the logistics giant to spend $180 million to relocate its intra-Asian logistics hub to Shenzhen. Read more>>
Airline service satisfaction hits 7-year low
Airline passengers are more dissatisfied with customer service than they have been since the last low point in satisfaction in 2001, according to an annual survey released Tuesday by the University of Michigan. Read more>>
American Airlines cuts domestic flight schedule
American Airlines today announced a sharp cut in its domestic flight schedule, including a fourth-quarter reduction in domestic capacity of as much as 12%, citing high fuel prices, concerns about the economy and a “difficult competitive environment.” Read more>>
Johnson Matthey: Rhodium demand is exceeding supply
Newly mined and processed rhodium will fell short of year for the second straight year in 2008, suggests the Johnson Matthey Platinum 2008 report released this week. Read more>>
Nalco raise prices for colloidal products
Nalco has announced global price increases of 10% to 15% for its broad range of colloidal silica and related products. Read more>>
Scientists develop new titanium power parts process
A new processing technique being developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and industry partners could reduce the amount of energy required and the cost to make titanium parts from powders by up to 50%, according to ScienceDaily.com. Read more>>
“Green” practices can save companies money
A growing number of companies are saving hundreds of millions of dollars by embracing environmentally safe practices, according to a report by the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund. Read more>>
Electronic manufacturing purchasing grew by 17% in 2007
Computing remains the largest user of electronic manufacturing services, pushing 2007 revenue up 17% to $268.1 billion, according to a new study by researcher IDC. Read more>>
Chip sales revenues up in first quarter
Global sales of semiconductors increased 3.8% in the first quarter to $63.4 billion from $61.1 billion in the first quarter of 2007 but declined 5.1% from $66.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007, the Semiconductor Industry Associations reports. Read more>>
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MONDAY MIDDAY BUSINESS REPORT
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 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%.
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PURCHASING'S 2007 SALARY SURVEY
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BLACK BELT NEGOTIATORS
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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
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