Purchasing

The changing face of independent distributors
Ten years ago, most electronics buyers would buy parts from nonfranchised independent distributors only when components were in short supply. Today, buyers are more apt to use the independent channel to purchase parts on a regular basis providing the components are competitively priced. What has changed? For one thing, there have been no long-term shortages since 2000.

• 2006 Salary Survey: Purchasing paychecks get fatter
• China in the crosshairs as steel imports rise
• At GE, joint problem solving takes the bite out of negotiations
• GE Plastics to move away from commodities to high-end technologies

CPI Edition GE Plastics to move away from commodities to high-end technologies At GE, joint problem solving takes the bite out of negotiations Business Intelligence Westlake Chemical pushes big price hikes in 3Q Chemical briefs Methanol continues upward climb BASF expands pigments production Chemforecast Cheaper oil will deflate elevated carbon black prices Market Update Specialty market sees supply consolidation in late 2006 Specialty Chemicals Cleaning chemicals will see strong demand for next decade Electronics and Technology Edition Electronics Leadtimes More leadtimes stretch Electronics Trends Business Intelligence RoHS means more electronic component obsolescence Flex expands in Mexico Expect lower tags for ASICs NAND demand grows on lower tags

Metals Global Steel Trade China in the crosshairs as steel imports rise Precious Metals Precious metals prices will remain elevated on geopolitical concerns News and Departments Economy + Supply Housing won’t hit economy Ceramic cap leadtimes out Delta to fight takeover Truckload capacity growing Semi growth of 10% in ‘07 Bidding war for Corus IEA cuts oil forecast Airbus slashes supply base Alcan cuts smelter deal China to be #1 in electronics Collins & Aikman to be sold New biodiesel from ethanol Buyers plan to increase sourcing of industrial machinery and tooling heading into the new year Logistics Business Intelligence Five tips to buying the right tool from the right provider Best in class saw freight costs reduced in past two years MRO + Distribution Business Intelligence Collaboration with suppliers is on minds of MRO buyers My Turn Good news on the compensation front Office Business Intelligence Boston Scientific focuses office buy Players Chris A. Paul, production manager, Alu’Die Prices Energy prices back as top concern heading into 2007 Price wars hit Lenovo hard Iron ore prices to rise China’s PPI rise slows Sony loses on PS3 pricing Import prices dip UPS, FedEx push 2007 hikes Copper prices slide down Lanxess ups plastics prices PDAs drop in price 3Q aluminum ingot prices dip 3Q NAND tags drop EIA sees higher oil prices Scale Up: Big Ideas in the Middle Market Midmarket consumer products firm focuses on supplier success Trends Business Intelligence Healthcare buyers leverage live group buying events Chrysler nets Kudos from NMSDC Billions to be saved by off-shoring procurement Purchasing execs on the move... Downstream suppliers become bigger concern