Purchasing

Suppliers go the distance for Schneider Electric
Every three months, corporate commodity managers and purchasing directors at Schneider Electric North America (SENA) get together for an intense brainstorming session: They thoroughly re-examine their commodity strategies and look for competitive advantages. "You've never experienced anything like it," says Vic Venettozzi, vice president, purchasing & real estate, SENA.

• Software Company Listing
• Evaluating software? Consider costs first
• Equipment and software can control rising postal costs
• Salute to the National Association of Chemical Distributors
• Buyers say demand is lifeless
• Auto parts makers blame tariffs for high-priced steel
• Kennametal spends 10% less for high-speed tool steels
• Eastman takes a spinoff approach to outsourcing
• Weak demand means DRAM, flash tags will stay low
• Higher materials tags may bump PE drum prices
• Custom chemicals makers stress chiral technologies
• Dot.com survivors

CPI Edition Salute to the National Association of Chemical Distributors Bulk Packaging Higher materials tags may bump PE drum prices Chemical Transaction Prices Price increases are sputtering Chemical Transaction Prices CPI Buyers Supplies will tighten, but no shortages are in the forecast CPI Buyers' News Suppliers' changes can wreak havoc Post-merger ChevronTexaco takes global view of costs E-Procurement Dot.com survivors Pharmaceuticals Custom chemicals makers stress chiral technologies Resins Buying club uses e-auction to source $84M in HDPE, PP Departments Buylines Letter to the editor Mold makers want aid fighting 'unfair' foreign practices PPG wins by having the right words in its contract Manufacturing remains "depressed and uncertain" Career Development Bayer sticks to training plan, despite budget cuts Electronics and Technology News Demand creeps up for AC/DC switching power HP targets $800 million in supply chain savings Leads start to stretch a bit Inside Purchasing Attention CEOs: Get smart about buying Leadtimes Buyers scramble for steel Leadtimes Logistics Briefs What's Hot Office Technologies Xerox introduces color printers Product Update Buyers may see longer leadtimes in coming year Professional Profile Professional Profile: Hillary Parker, Union Pacific Railroad Readers Sound Off The case for outsourcing procurement Strategic Sourcing Gillette's chief executive puts power into purchasing

Metals Chips What's Hot Aluminum Alcoa develops new alloys for super jumbo jetliners Copper Below-average demand holds inflation at bay E-Procurement CMC Steel Group brings fragmented supply base online Exclusive Business Data Business slump to cut purchases Ferrochrome Xstrata says market prices appear to have bottomed out Iron Ore Benchmark price falls 5% Metals Watch Buyers say demand is lifeless Specialty Steel Kennametal spends 10% less for high-speed tool steels Demand drops from power generation mart Steel Nucor-led consolidation alters face of steel supply Steel Imports U.S. firms appear to be buying less Steel Trade Wars Panel clears foreign beam makers Steel Trade wars Price spikes may hurt efforts to cut capacity Steel Trade Wars Japanese auto firms ask for imported steel—tariffs or not Auto parts makers blame tariffs for high-priced steel News Economy How Supply Managers See Business Electronics Transaction Prices Prices will stabilize Purchasing electronics transaction price survey results Prices Factors Affecting Product Cost Supply What's Happening in Markets Tip Sheet Key Metrics and Supply Alert Transaction Price Forecasts Transaction Price Forecasts Transaction Prices Price index weakens Purchasing transaction price survey results