Purchasing

Buyers sourced record $61 billion in metals from distribution giants
Even though they bought substantially fewer tons in 2007, buyers spent an all-time high amount of money for steel and nonferrous metals from service centers. In fact, buyers spent a record $61 billion with the Top 100 metals service centers in North America in 2007, a solid 13% increase over the previous high of $54 billion in 2006.

• Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Small distributors have big revenue growth
• 'Green' procurement goes into the black
• Next stop for electronics sourcing and manufacturing could be Vietnam
• Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Independents hope for rebound in 2008
• Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Catalog distributors are thriving
• Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Distributors' supply chain role grows
• A good year for electronics distributors
• Distribution Report 2008: Buyers say product availability trumps price
• Top 100 Chemicals Distributors: Continued demand outweighs cost challenges
• Hilton Hotels' purchasing organization says "The bucks start here"

Chemicals Chemicals Currency issues have dyes and pigments buyers seeing red Chemical Business Intelligence Soft demand puts the brakes on polypropylene price hikes LyondellBasell shuts Texas refinery, buys French one Electronics Edition Electronics Trends NAND flash prices will fall because of oversupply Electronics Business Intelligence Chip resistor prices to stabilize Chip stockpiles decline in first quarter Electronics Briefs Memory drives chip equipment revenue Economic slowdown creates opportunities for procurement Global Sourcing Next stop for electronics sourcing and manufacturing could be Vietnam The Top 75 Electronics Distributors A good year for electronics distributors Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Distributors' supply chain role grows Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Catalog distributors are thriving Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Independents hope for rebound in 2008 Top 75 Electronics Distributors: Small distributors have big revenue growth Top 75 Electronics Distributors 2007 North American Rankings Logistics Logistics Perry Ellis brings freight rate auditing back in fashion Logistics Business Intelligence Railroads under more price-fixing fire as volumes continue to decline DOT officials: Mexican trucking pilot program is working

Metals Persian Gulf sheet steel supply shortfall expected Metals Business Intelligence Metals Chips Base Metals Rio Tinto economist sees China keeping commodity prices aloft Coking Coal Massey Energy boost capital spending, price forecasts Gold GFMS: Gold prices to pass $1,000/oz this year even if demand drops Service Centers Top 100 Metals Service Centers: Explosive prices haunt buyer/supplier relationships Stainless Steel Global stainless steel production fell 2.9% in 2007 Steel Scrap Steel scrap supplies short, prices high due to low manufacturing activity, soaring exports Steel Trading Analyst says global billet and rebar prices heading for slide The Top 100 Metals Service Centers Buyers sourced record $61 billion in metals from distribution giants MRO + Distribution MRO + Distribution Fulton Supply president offers ways to cut costs in new book MRO Business Intelligence E-auction tool helps Blue Bird develop strategic suppliers MRO Briefs News and Departments Black Belt Negotiators Black Belt Negotiators: How to choose a single-source strategy Corporate Travel Online tools provide travel buyers a new level of travel spend visibility Economy + Supply Economy + Supply Economy may shrink in 1H08 Sensor market will grow IMF downgrades forecast U.S. high-tech loses jobs NAND growth to slow Credit crisis not done Chipmakers see slowdown Small Biz not optimistic OPEC: oil demand to drop U.S. unemployment high Automotive demand down China’s trade surplus dips Boeing's 787 delivery date slips again RIO’s 1Q coal output off Polysilicon plant scrapped My Turn Why go 'Green?' Because it adds efficiency Office How buyers can collaborate with IT on office purchases Office Products Business Intelligence Weak dollar and machine problems add to paper product price woes Prices Prices Scrap steel prices fly Sheet steel prices may drop in 2H Benzene tags near high Platinum costs less Wire-rod price skyrockets Cobalt prices rise DRAM makers push prices Passives prices will be steady Coal prices to stay up Citigroup ups price forecast for metals, oil EIA: Oil prices will stay above $100 Truck rates to stay low longer Import prices rise Copper prices above $3 this year Trends 12 steps to more effective supplier relationships Procurement Business Intelligence Dell to close Texas plant, outsource more manufacturing to EMS firms Coors mixes indirect spend into its procurement transformation U.S. airlines hit rock bottom in latest service rankings Sulfuric acid prices explode Supply updates Green Report: Where the candidates stand on environmental issues