Purchasing

Low-cost country sourcing: Around the world in 5 (not so) easy steps
Low-cost country sourcing. It is perhaps the most provocative topic to hit the procurement field in decades. Some procurement executives are eager to share the amount of savings they've generated from sourcing in low-cost regions like China and India, while others are hesitant to even discuss the topic.

• Global sourcing: Global chemical supply markets getting more complex
• Women in purchasing: Cracks appear in the glass ceiling
• Corporate travel department delivers efficiency dividend for Charles Schwab
• How to build the procurement Dream Team
• Chinese demand strangles metals supply
• Buyers focus on shrinking power

Chemicals Chemicals Benzene prices resist upward push from crude oil Cost pressures send sodium bicarbonate prices higher Electronics Edition Electornics Distribution Electronics distributors expand EOL services Electronics Trends DSP prices will fall in 2008 despite strong demand Business Intelligence Distribution Briefs Expect less price erosion for relays Demand to grow for flash-based solid-state drives Strategic Sourcing Buyers focus on shrinking power Logistics Logistics LTL market dynamics offer buyers leverage on fuel surcharges Iron ore contract negotiations impact ocean freight rates Metals Business Intelligence Metals Chips Aerospace Metals ThyssenKrupp Materials North America now is part of global aerospace service center network Aluminum Aluminum mill product use ends five-year growth pattern No rebound seen in extruded aluminum product demand Alcoa CEO sees world aluminum demand climbing 9.6%, led by China Base Metals U.S. recession won't slow global demand surge for nonferrous Copper Copper outlook for 2008 is a fourth year of reduced demand Global Sourcing Chinese demand strangles metals supply Gold China became world's largest gold producer in 2007 Service Centers U.S., Canadian steel inventories rise slightly in December Steel Bar Market Steel Bar Market Update: Drop in metalworking activity will soften purchasing of long products

News and Departments Black Belt Negotiators 'The Battle of the Forms' Chemicals Business Intelligence Economy + Supply Economy + Supply Iron-ore deficit predicted Samsung to boost LCD line Qatar: feedstock source China to export less tin Ineos buys VAM biz from BP Nanya ups DRAM output DuPont feeling slump Software demand strong Methode Electronics shrinks Ameristeel expands rebar Magnesium expansion eyed Existing-home sales lag Oxoalcohol production up Logistics Business Intelligence MRO + Distribution Secret to success for MRO buyers: Communicate with customers Business Intelligence MRO Briefs My Turn Global diversity efforts make wise investments Office Business Intelligence Prices Prices PP price hike stunted Metals price forecast cut Paperboard price hiked Platinum prices up, up, up DSP prices will fall in 2008 Zinc will be up Sheet-Steel prices stiffen Toluene price push seen WTI oil will rise 22.5% Gas-tax hike proposed Magnesium heads to $3/lb APT price forecast to rise 25% Uranium prices dropping Methanol prices softening Scale Up: Big Ideas in the Middle Market Global sourcing has its challenges for Cognex Trends Business Intelligence Office Office Document-management software leads to paperless efficiency Trends Trends Tom's of Maine makes all-natural cost-effective LORD Corp. attracts top talent with expanded training offerings Procurement professionals define role in combating counterfeit parts General Motors extends early lead in developing a Green supply chain Top sourcing groups structure data, maintain strict process control Railroads predict higher prices in 2008 Chrysler shuffles purchasing executive team