Purchasing

Six-Sigma KOs costs
It's impossible, these days, to have a conversation about supplier performance measurement without hearing the words Six-Sigma bandied about. Very often, however, the phrase is used only in its narrowest sense, as in: "Our goal is for suppliers to reach Six-Sigma quality performance, or 3.4 defects per million parts.

• Prices spike due to raw material shortfalls
• Advanced partnering
• Insiders expect drill tube, line pipe mart to reenergize
• Purchasing awakens from lengthy slumber
• Improved shipment visibility produces inventory savings
• Integrated management system provides benefits
• Custom chemical manufacturing: coping with adversity

CPI Edition Business Strategies Custom chemical manufacturing: coping with adversity Chemforecast Price gains help to boost margins Chemicals Integrated management system provides benefits Departments Buylines Why tags continue to stay in the stratosphere If buyers can get what they need, they're paying for it Cleaning up after Covisint Writing effective contracts in the electronic age Kudos Inside Purchasing The steel bubble will burst Logistics Improved shipment visibility produces inventory savings What's Hot Product Update High-quality products lead to lower total cost

Metals Metals Chips What's Hot Copper Phelps Dodge to restart idled N. American capacity Exclusive Business Data Buyers angry at suppliers, prices Oil Country Tubulars Insiders expect drill tube, line pipe mart to reenergize Steel Pipe and Tube Purchasing awakens from lengthy slumber Steel tube Oregon Steel adds capacity; reopens LTV tubular plant News Prices Factors Affecting Product Cost Supply What's Happening in Markets Tip Sheet Key Metrics and Supply Alert