Technology helps find new suppliers, but it's not the be-all and end-all

Buyers can benefit from using technology in highly saturated vendor markets, freeing up time for negotiation and spend management.

By Jen A. Miller • July 18, 2019

77% of procurement professionals expect a recession by 2021

Survey respondents fear a recession could lead to budget cuts, layoffs in their departments and the loss of suppliers and contract partners.

By Morgan Forde • July 18, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Inventory Management

Read how retailers and brand manufactures are rethinking inventory management.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Toyota to partner with world's largest electric car battery supplier

The partnership will help Toyota secure supply in an increasingly competitive race to scale up EV production in the next five to 10 years.

By Morgan Forde • July 17, 2019

77% of suppliers lack deforestation commitments

Investors and procurement organizations should be concerned that crucial commodities may be in jeopardy as deforestation advances.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 16, 2019

5 steps to successful supplier negotiations

While strong supplier relationships have proven beneficial to the buyer and seller, these relationships are not a replacement for active and ongoing negotiation.

By Rich Weissman • July 11, 2019

Report: Reverse auctions on the rise among younger procurement professionals

Modern reverse auction platforms can provide visibility into suppliers beyond their bid amount and offer benefits like cost savings, reduced negotiation times and price testing the market.

By Morgan Forde • July 11, 2019

Reshoring index down 3rd year in a row

Manufacturers aren't coming back to the U.S., preferring instead to diversify to other lower-cost manufacturing countries, according to a report from A.T. Kearney.

By Morgan Forde • July 10, 2019

Textile sourcing from India, South Korea grows with trade war underway

Sourcing from China went up also, but large jumps in other countries are likely signs of buyers seeking alternative supply sources to avoid tariffs. 

By Matt Leonard • July 10, 2019

Publix updates sourcing standards for sustainable seafood

For fisheries that don’t meet the standards, Publix will work with the supplier to sponsor sustainability efforts through its Fishery Improvement Project.

By Krishna Thakker • July 10, 2019

Long-term contracts leave US pork suppliers out of tariff aid

Many American producers will see no benefit from a government purchase contract since the affected farmers already have long-term contracts with JBS, the processor that won the bid.

By Emma Cosgrove • July 9, 2019

Report: Volkswagen pursues joint ventures with suppliers to secure EV production

Automakers looking to transition to electric vehicles face challenges sourcing lithium and cobalt needed to produce a sufficient quantity of batteries.

By Morgan Forde • July 9, 2019

Nestlé launches open blockchain pilot to track milk

The food company announced a commitment to pursuing a fully transparent supply chain in February and cites its partnership with OpenSC as a means of publicly verifying its progress.

By Morgan Forde • July 3, 2019

US proposes tariffs on $4B EU imports

The latest duties comprise a supplemental list, adding on to tariffs proposed in April on $21 billion worth of goods, covering several food products and whiskey.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 2, 2019

Trump: US won't impose tariffs on $300B Chinese goods 'for the time being'

China and the U.S. will resume negotiations and avoid a further escalation of the trade war "for at least the time being," Trump said.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 29, 2019

4 arguments from 7 days of USTR tariff hearings

More than 300 witnesses testified across 55 panels, detailing the purpose and problems with the proposed list four tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods.

By Shefali Kapadia , Emma Cosgrove , Matt Leonard , Morgan Forde • June 28, 2019

As a buyer, I was a road warrior

The best supplier evaluation tools use all five senses and there is no magic replacement for visiting key and potential vendors.

By Rich Weissman • June 27, 2019

New Sears taps 'sourcing agents' to improve supply chain, lead times

Sears' holding company faces an uphill battle to overcome the reputation of its namesake and navigate an ongoing trade war. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 27, 2019

ERP talent among most sought after skills for managers

A company that wants to secure tech talent needs to move quickly when it finds someone who fits the role, experts suggest.

By Roberto Torres • June 27, 2019

Fairway Market digitizes procure-to-pay for local food

Digitizing the process of sourcing local food could save money, reduce errors and provide a more efficient way for stores to work with producers. 

By Jennifer Sweeney • June 27, 2019

Tesla receives 1-year tariff exclusion on Japanese aluminum imports

The decision is a victory for the company, which uses aluminum to manufacture its car batteries. 

By Morgan Forde • June 26, 2019

56% of manufacturers say trade issues are a top concern

2019 could bring challenges for manufacturers who experienced a "banner year" last year, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

By Matt Leonard • June 25, 2019

NRF: List 4 tariffs 'too large' for retailers to absorb

In testimony, NRF's David French said capacity doesn't exist for retailers to move sourcing away from China, resulting in billions of dollars in increased costs for consumers. 

By Matt Leonard • June 24, 2019

At Molson Coors, supply risk management starts with real-time data

Climate change presents risks to malting grade barley, prompting beer manufacturers to protect the crucial crop.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 20, 2019

Report: Apple asks suppliers to model cost of production outside China

Apple testified Thursday in U.S. Trade Representative hearings and said the list four tariffs would "tilt the playing field in favor of our global competitors."

By Morgan Forde • June 20, 2019

Gap, Adidas, Nike rank top 5 in Better Cotton leaderboard

The top 15 companies in BCI's rankings account for 88% of the Better Cotton sourced in 2018.

By Andy Burt • June 19, 2019