Category Archives: News

Xchanging hopes to do better in 2012

Having addressed operating and strategic issues, the British outsourcing company hopes renewed deals with companies, including cosmetics company L’Oreal, will boost profits this year.

Posted in 2012, Business change, cat-news, News, Outsourcing, Purchasing | Comments Off on Xchanging hopes to do better in 2012

University buying must help push research boundaries

Jim Reed, who joined the University of Nottingham as director of procurement a year ago, said: “It took me three months to work out that I could not do what I am good at.”

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Rising input costs stem the flow of manufacturing growth

“If rising costs and weak demand persists, sustaining output growth and job creation will become increasingly difficult,” Rob Dobson, senior economist at Markit.

Posted in 2012, cat-news, News, PMI reports, Purchasing, Resources | Comments Off on Rising input costs stem the flow of manufacturing growth

Marketing and procurement should define roles but share objectives

“You have to make sure it’s absolutely crystal clear who is doing what,” Peter Kirk, BBC head of TV licensing sales and marketing.

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Server market held back by hard drive shortages

Heavy floods in the key manufacturing region of Thailand have caused supply issues that are still affecting the market for servers.

Posted in 2012, cat-news, Ed's choice technology, International, News, Purchasing, Technology | Comments Off on Server market held back by hard drive shortages

Shared trucks help food firms take 3,500 lorries off the roads

Companies in the food and grocery sector have cut 204 million road miles through industry-wide initiatives and collaboration.

Posted in 2012, cat-news, News, Purchasing, Supply chain, Sustainability | Comments Off on Shared trucks help food firms take 3,500 lorries off the roads

Swaziland finance minister announces procurement reform

The government plans to establish a public procurement agency this year to regulate purchasing carried out by public bodies.

Posted in 2012, cat-news, International, News, Public sector, Southern Africa | Comments Off on Swaziland finance minister announces procurement reform

Serco profits surge as it eyes global BPO market growth

The company, which provides the Boris bike service, says customers are increasingly looking for end-to-end services.

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£1 billion Crossrail contract must include responsible procurement

Transport secretary Justine Greening said bidders will have to demonstrate responsible procurement by explaining how they will engage with the wider supply chain.

Posted in 2012, cat-news, News, Public sector, Purchasing, Supply chain | Comments Off on £1 billion Crossrail contract must include responsible procurement

Noble Group sees Q4 profits drop by over $240 million

Chairman and acting CEO: “Suffice it to say that the year had even more than its fair share of ‘unknowns’ and ‘bumps in the road’.”

Posted in 2012, cat-news, International, News, Supply chain | Comments Off on Noble Group sees Q4 profits drop by over $240 million