Purchasing

Price erosion, no shortages, plentiful supply
Buyers can expect a price erosion of between 2% and 3% for connectors in 2005 even as the global connector market grows about 7% to $35 billion. Supply will be plentiful and there will be few if any shortages. Like semiconductors, connector growth will continue, but at a lower rate than in 2004 when the connector industry grew a hefty 17% to $33 billion, says connector industry researcher Bisho...

• Partnering for success
• Buyers look toward China—but with a degree of caution
• Expect high prices to continue through 2005
• Prices to ease from highs
• Russian, Ukraine tariffs: Trade-distorting practices?
• Steel scrap prices still troublesome
• Expect double-digit growth — again
• Disadvantage: chemical buyers
• Surfactants demand, pricing up in 2005
• Looking for an edge

CPI Edition Chemicals A bullish outlook for demand China Outsourcing Are you underestimating the complexity of China trade? Exclusive Business Data Tight supply will increase PVC, VCM prices Informex Preview Looking for an edge Petrochemical Feedstocks Disadvantage: chemical buyers Soaps and Detergents Surfactants demand, pricing up in 2005 Surfacant Pricing News Sourcing in China Buyers not enamored with available supply sources Who's Who Supply chain's Top 25 Departments Buylines Finding the needle in a data-heavy haystack Estimating excellence Commodities crunch! Kudos Who's got strategic sourcing on the brain? Inside Purchasing Balancing the equation Logistics Rough road ahead for shippers What's Hot RFID News Briefs MRO/Distribution More bang for its buck What's Hot Briefs Office Technologies Demand for color MFPs perks up year-end sales Readers Sound Off The new economics of partnering Electronics and Technology News What's Hot Capacitor Outlook Enough demand to drive growth Connector Preview Price erosion, no shortages, plentiful supply Digital Signal Processors Outlook Lower prices, lower growth Electronics Outlook A soft landing EMS Market Expect double-digit growth — again Lead Free Lead-free conversion update

Metals What's Hot Exclusive Business Data Bush and buyers differ on economy Mini-Mills Steel scrap prices still troublesome Russian, Ukraine tariffs: Trade-distorting practices? Stainless Scrap Expect high prices to continue through 2005 News Economy How Supply Managers See High-Tech Business Prices Factors Affecting Product Cost Supply What's Happening in High-Tech Supply Chains Tip Sheet Key Metrics and Supply Alert