Purchasing

Ford has a better idea
Ford Motor Co. is progressing with its new Aligned Business Framework, a long-term collaborative partnership (announced in 2005) with a new family of strategic suppliers (the first three dozen chosen by June 2006) affecting 20 parts and commodities.

• Suppliers join the design huddle
• Supply management is core of success at UTC
• Cross-divisional teamwork nets big savings
• UTC supply management alumni branch out
• Stainless steel sheet buy goes under the microscope at UTC
• Communication key in product development
• On-demand promises to hook savings
• Slight price upticks, thanks to usual suspects

Supplier relationship management drives indirect savings at UTC Quality is a team effort at UTC UTC backs its purchasing professionals with educational resources Carrier’s China Sourcing Office serves as model for UTC’s overseas sourcing Medal of Professional Excellence ACE takes supply management to new heights Brittan had support from the top at the beginning Chemicals Edition Business Intelligence Chemforecast Sulfuric acid prices continue to decline as demand dries up Chemical Distribution Chemcentral takes global view with both buyers and suppliers Electronic Chemicals Slight price upticks, thanks to usual suspects Grassroots Report Alaska oilfield closure has buyers more concerned about energy prices Supply Update Gulf Coast chemical supply continues to rebound in 2006 Metals Stainless steel sheet buy goes under the microscope at UTC Metals Chips Business Intelligence Aluminum Beijing fails to dampen Chinese industry's roaring expansion in smelting Aleris goes private, expands products beyond flat-rolled Boeing extends contract with Kaiser Alcoa buys out smelter partners Copper Grupo Mexico to boost production at home, in Peru Chinese tubemaker talks merger Nickel Buyers may be facing record-high prices this fall Steel Supply of plate, wide pipe tighter after BP’s Alaskan pipeline woes ThyssenKrupp plans U.S. carbon, stainless mill Wheeling-Pittsburgh plans to align operations with Brazil's CSN NS Group to expand production New executive team at Mittal Steel USA Steel Market Survey Buyers want better service, prices deliveries, and from suppliers Titanium Aviation activity has tightened supply, boosted prices fourfold Timet material in motorcycle springs Zinc Quebec mine will be developed

New and Departments Trends Exchanging best practices at the Best Practices Xchange News and Departments CPO Views Evolution, innovation are constants Economy + Supply What's in short supply? FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA ALUMINUM TIGHTENS NiMH BATTERIES SHORT ANTI-MERCURY FUNDED MORE NICKEL COMING CASTLE BUYS TRANSTAR RETAIL SALES INCREASED ALCAN TO BOOST KITIMAT SLOWER GDP FORESEEN PRODUCT STOCKPILES RISE HUNTSMAN REOPENS GM SLOWS SUV OUTPUT CPO SUMMIT RETURNS Leadtime Report Leadtime Report Lift truck deliveries flatten Sulfuric acid is easier to get Copper wire is extending Logistics Pioneer Electronics creates competition for LTL bids Business Intelligence Rail fuel surcharges get reviewed LTL market continues to support high rates MRO + Distribution IBT listens to MRO purchasersto keep competition at bay Business Intelligence Indirect materials buyers to meet in Chicago MRO Briefs My Turn Supply management masters Players Kevin Kilcoyne, manager of logistics, Welch’s Prices MATERIALS PPI IS UP DELL LEADS PCS DOWN RUBBER BOUNCES UP NO SLIDE FOR ZINC ETHYLENE PRICE FLAT TIRE TAGS INFLATE GROUP SEES $3 COPPER SOFTER STEEL SEEN PRECIOUS METALS RISE RESIN PRICES UNCLEAR $85 CRUDE IS FORECAST Buyers plan to pay higher freight-delivery charges Scale Up: Big Ideas in the Middle Market RoHS is a challenge and an opportunity for EMS firm Speaking Out Purchasing can be a profit center Strategies + Tactics Purchasing powers push toonline processes at Polaris Trends McDonald’s applies SRM strategy to global technology buy Business Intelligence Report shows sourcing apps, on-demand model growing most Purchasing execs on the move... Centralizing contract management leverages Cameron’s temp labor spend Plastics additive prices on the rise despite abundant supply Hilton's supply chain ready for anything heading into hurricane season Engineering sees value of purchasing involvement in the design process CSCMP hosts global sourcing conference Procurement migrating to on-demand Supplier diversity pays off Your Turn India focus stirs interest