Supply Excellence

Entries from July 2009

How to Read the Data: ISM New Orders Index

July 30th, 2009 · 4 Comments · LCCS and trade, supply management, supply market dynamics

Every month, the ISM compiles the Purchasing Managers’ Indexes based on surveys of supply chain professionals. The highly anticipated data not only influences decisions in sourcing and procurement departments, it can even move stock markets. But, it pays to look beyond the broader ISM indexes to some of the underlying survey readings. These numbers, when [...]

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‘Buy American’ Clause Backlash is Taking Place

July 29th, 2009 · 7 Comments · LCCS and trade, metals, sourcing, supply management, supply risk

As we’ve discussed before, the recently enacted ‘Buy American’ clause was expected to have global ramifications if the proposed measures to supply public sector stimulus projects using domestically produced steel came to fruition. As we expected, the Buy American clause has been modified as the US was pounded by pushback from other nations. But, even [...]

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Part 2: WSJ, CIT and Alternative Finance Options (Video)

July 28th, 2009 · 1 Comment · best practices, spend analysis, supplier management, supply risk

Jason Busch covered this on Spend Matters yesterday. But for those of you who may have missed it, Drew Hofler expanded on the repercussions of the CIT collapse, its impact on business, and the WSJ’s suggested alternative finance options. In this clip, Drew goes into greater depth on collaborative (buyer/supplier) and asset-based cash flow options:

The [...]

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Top 5 Categories to Source Now

July 27th, 2009 · No Comments · Services Procurement, Top 5 Supply Strategies, metals, sourcing, spend analysis, supplier management, supply management, supply market dynamics

Our North American category management team hosted a Top 5 Categories to Source Now webinar last week (replay here). Supply Excellence contributor Pat Furey, set the stage with a discussion of several manufacturing, GDP and consumer indices, as well as a WSJ consensus forecast of economists, that all appear to show that the economy is [...]

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WSJ article, CIT collapse and Alternative Finance Options (Video)

July 23rd, 2009 · 2 Comments · best practices, financial value chain, supply risk

Drew Hofler, supply chain finance guru and Supply Excellence contributor, gave his take on the Wall Street Journal’s “5 Alternative Sources of Funding” article. WSJ highlighted some available options for suppliers in the wake of CIT’s (near)bankruptcy. Drew provides some additional context and guidance.

Early next week, we’ll have an additional video with Drew diving deeper [...]

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