Purchasing

Business in Vietnam defies misconceptions
Whatever you think you know about business in Vietnam, forget it. The economic and business environment in today’s Vietnam surprises most U.S. buyers that visit the country in search of low-cost, high-quality suppliers. “My personal image—as well as those of most of my associates—prior to visiting Vietnam, was one of manufacturing facilities with dirt floors and sweat-s...

• China RoHS demands more from buyers
• Polaris points to purchasing for design help
• Steel Outlook: Disagreement reigns on steel price, supply
• Purchasing drives success for Con-way
• Procter & Gamble puts a new spin on global chemicals sourcing

Chemicals Edition Business Intelligence Chemforecast: Ethanol Cheaper gasoline drives down fuel-grade ethanol prices Global Sourcing Procter & Gamble puts a new spin on global chemicals sourcing Market Update Aromatics prices stay high despite big declines in crude oil Electronics and Technology Edition Business Intelligence Electronics Leadtimes Leadtimes stretch Electronics Trends Buyers look for value from electronics distributors More chip production outsourced Look for DSP tags to fall Excess chip inventory rises

Metals Business Iintelligence Metals Chips Aluminum Alcoa execs see strong aluminum mill demand in 2007 Copper Copper prices will slip, but not collapse in 2007 Global Supply Steel output increases 9% in 2006 to new high Steel Timken and Daido to develop steel special bar plant Steel Bars Steel bars advantage: Buyers. But, for how long remains uncertain Steel Outlook Steel Outlook: Disagreement reigns on steel price, supply News and Departments Economy + Supply Fabricated metals purchasing is perking up GDP to grow, sort of Flash plant delayed PC sales grow 9.5% DRAM sales may dip Cat sees slippage RFID growth strong Alumina threatened Durables on the rise Construction plateaus Housing has tanked Hafnium replacing silicon Chip stockpiles rise GE buys long term Cell phones healthy Logistics Business intelligence LTL demand dip impacts rates as carriers focus on operations Detours MRO + Distribution Business Intelligence Together suppliers generate success for ITC Transmission New website features exclusive salary data for MRO purchasing professionals My Turn PLM breaks down silos. That’s why you need it. Office Business Intelligence Dow leverages vendor-managed inventory for office supplies Office product briefs Prices Transportation, energy costs are top buyer concerns APT is on the rise Bar fees brighten Silver prices up OSB is cheap Platinum prices may drop CHIP ASPS decline Gold bugs are here Magnesium price rises PVC prices slip Inflation may rise DSP tags set to fall STB rules on fuel surcharges Newsprint contracts extended Aluminum price uncertain Foundries to see 1Q price dip Strategies + Tactics Technology firm minimizes supplier risk in global sourcing Trends Business Intelligence Coors Brewing continues on procurement transformation path Newmont Mining digs up master plan for global procurement overhaul Your Turn Outsourcing report gets reaction