Purchasing

Buyers adopt hard line
Just because it's been a tough financial year for North American automakers doesn't mean their metals suppliers can expect reduced vigilance in demands for world-class materials and delivery performance. That's especially true at the Mexican automotive plants of the Big Three and other automakers, which are making large investments into a $35 billion motor vehicle industry that accounts for a f...

• The changing face of supplier diversity
• Only the best suppliers will do
• Energy buying for the risk-averse
• The making of a champion

CPI Edition Chemical Briefs Chemicals Despite some pauses, tags set to resume climb Chemicals, plastics tags dipping on lower demand Demand poised to come around Risk Management Energy buying for the risk-averse Departments Buylines Driving efficiency Buyers cautious as LME trades plastics futures Research Update Deregulation provides opportunity for e-sourcing Software news Inside Purchasing Product-development partners Logistics Efficiency equals economy What's Hot RFID News Briefs MRO BP challenges suppliers with unique requirements What's Hot Distributor receives patent for e-purchasing program DoALL realigns Office Technologies National agreements create uniformity and offer leeway Managing the indirect spend Canon introduces new multifunction products Office Briefs Professional Profile Supplier relations are the key to Toyota's North American success Electronics and Technology News What's Hot Lead Free Update Distribution Update Chip Equipment Semiconductor equipment revenue to drop 12% in 2005 Electromechanical Expect mixed pricing for heatsinks through '05 Electronics Leadtimes Most leadtimes expand Exclusive Electronics Business Report Business picks up Globalization More EMS providers to move to India Memory ICS Samsung ships DDR2-667 Optoelectronics Prices fall as LED demand slows despite wider use Passives Update Prices keep dropping despite strong demand Semiconductors HP is the top global chip buyer; Dell, Nokia next Special Supplier Diversity Report IBM says diverse suppliers are good for business

Metals Signals mixed; demand is off What's Hot Metals Chips Aluminum Analysts debate future direction for LME ingot Copper Buying has declined while prices remain stubbornly high Working with Suppliers Buyers adopt hard line News Economy How Supply Managers See Business Prices Factors Affecting Product Cost Supply What's Happening in Markets Tip Sheet Key Metrics and Supply Alert