Purchasing

19 Hot tips to cool energy costs
Dale Bunton, director of energy management, and Greg Steagall, manager of energy procurement for Dallas-based Dean Foods Corp. have saved their company a pretty penny in electricity costs at their Texas plants this year. After working with a consultant and amassing a great deal of research data, they decided to buy their electricity from the wholesale market rather than direct from the generator.

• Steady as it goes for 2008 chemical distribution
• A new dimension in MRO
• P-cards: A big idea for small companies
• The best suppliers are rewarded...with more business
• Supplier awards programs range in age, scope and priority
• Contract management software drives compliance
• Costa Rica provides high-tech niche in the global sourcing universe
• Medical OEMs see outsourcing as lifesaver
• Aluminum: No trouble sourcing light metal in 2008
• Brazil grows as an electronics center—slowly

Electronics Edition Electronics Distribution Distributors focus on optoelectronics Electronics Trends Image sensor prices to fall DRAM price slide could end in 1H08 Intel opens new microprocessor fab Avnet gets green certification Spansion signs foundry deal Car sales boost Chinese chip industry Business Intelligence-Electronics Trends Distribution Briefs Expect mixed prices, slow growth for tantalum capacitors Arrow offers supply assurance program SIA says anti-counterfeiting plan needed Jabil expands in Italy Foundries call for fewer restrictions Samsung unveils 64Gb flash chip Global Sourcing Brazil grows as an electronics center—slowly Purchasing Strategy Medical OEMs see outsourcing as lifesaver Metals Metals Chips Business Intelligence-Metals Aluminum Hydro eyes further Middle East aluminum smelting growth Alcoa will modernize Cleveland Works to provide die forgings for F-35 Fighter Aluminum Outlook Aluminum: No trouble sourcing light metal in 2008 Base Metals Tight supplies, strong Chinese demand bolster nonferrous metals outlook Zinc prices show no signs of a surge Gold Newmont Mining is buying Miramar Mining Metals Purchasing Copper: Luvata switches metals procurement strategy to one team Nickel Nickel: Big drop expected for 2008 prices as world market goes into surplus Steel Steel: August imports crashed 22% Despite buyer complaints, tariffs upheld on hot-rolled sheet steel from six nations Nippon Steel to buy Brazilian slabs in 2011 to cement partnership AK Steel increases steel capex Heavy steel prices could stay high in 2008 Minnesota Steel gets permits for $1.6 billion project to turn ore into metal Gerdau Ameristeel to sell $1.59 billion in shares Tungsten Tungsten: Prices are slipping on increasing supply World Steel World steel: Production growth will outpace sales; steel trade will expand World steel: Indirect trade deficit continues to rise; mills and users alike express concern

News and Departments Black Belt Negotiators No tiptoeing around those resin price hikes Chemicals Rising acetone capacity will bring long-term price relief Business Intelligence-Chemicals "Endemic" lack of polystyrene demand hits supply base Corporate Travel Oracle's procurement organization consolidates $600 million T&E spend Economy + Supply Economy + Supply Moly Demand Upped to 4–5% Cemex to Raise Prices Eyes on Saint Gobain U.S. Steel Takeover Okayed Mobile Phones to Grow Economy Remains Weak Steel Demand Could Rise Leadtimes come back in Recession Worries Some... We're already in a recession ...But Not Greenspan Anti-Piracy Pact Planned Finns Sell Paper Plants Glass Fiber Capex Up Logistics Medical equipment firm puts supply chain technology as top priority Business Intelligence-Logistics Ocean freight demand, rates remain high Demand, rates to remain low for LTL, truckload well into 2008 Slowing economy splits U.S. air freight market Freight forwarders targeted in price-fixing investigation Founders close on U.S. Xpress buy MRO + Distribution Purchasing pros build a strong case for centralizing MRO buying Business Intelligence-MRO + Distribution MRO Briefs SmartMRO aligns with certified MBE staffing supplier My Turn Strategies for controlling energy costs Office Supply and demand balanced for 2008, but furniture prices may rise Business Intelligence-Office Prices Prices Chemicals Get Cheaper Gypsum Softens Methanol Prices Spike Paper Going Up Gold Could Hit $679 FedEx Ups 2008 Rates Credit Crunch Not Over Bayer Hikes Resin Price Timken Ups Steel Prices Speculation is Boosting Oil Copper Expected to Slip Aluminum Prices Dip Cheaper Ethylene in 2008 Scale Up: Big Ideas in the Middle Market Start-up computer maker leverages its supply chain partners Trends Business Intelligence-Trends Juniper Networks cuts costs by sourcing refinished components Digi-Key picks vendor-managed over consignment inventory Hackett outlines five stages of top procurement DHL to focus on service, not market share in 2008 CSCMP stays true to its logistics roots