Buyers in the pipeline at BP

BP is to 'transform' its procurement function in the UK and beyond. The plan, which will include a major recruitment drive, aims to place buyers at the heart of the company.

News, 14 August 2008

Persimmon's supplier ultimatum

Persimmon Homes has threatened to terminate suppliers' contracts unless they agree to a 15 per cent reduction in costs.

News, 14 August 2008

Call for buying talent

Many firms are not confident their sourcing function has the ability to effectively manage change caused by price fluctuations, new research has revealed.

News, 14 August 2008

Universities fight competition

Procurement must help universities become more competitive, according to the CPO at Heriot-Watt University.

News, 14 August 2008

'Huge challenge' of London 2012

A leading figure for the London Olympics has described the job of the procurement team as "one of the biggest challenges of any project in the UK".

News, 14 August 2008

Oil prices falling, but for how long?

Energy experts are split as to whether falling oil prices are here to stay or whether recent reductions are just a temporary blip in an upwards trend. Prices have fallen from a record high of $147 per barrel in July following fears that slowing growth in the US and across Europe will squeeze demand.

News, 14 August 2008

BA tightens belts after huge loss raises pressure

British Airways (BA) plans to save £50 million by next March in a bid to combat the effects of fuel price hikes and the economic slowdown.

News, 14 August 2008

Purchasing is 'misunderstood'

Procurement is gaining greater control over corporate spend, but suffers from being "misunderstood" and "undervalued", according to a major new study.

News, 14 August 2008

Supplier cartel clampdown

Buyers have been urged to draw up "checklists" to prevent cartels forming among suppliers.

News, 14 August 2008

Local councils join to buy oil in bulk

Buyers from 30 local councils plan to purchase oil together in a bid to combat rising prices.

News, 14 August 2008

Friendship does not stand in the way of contract awards

Nearly two-thirds of buyers would award contracts to a supplier they know personally, according to the latest SM100 poll.

News, 14 August 2008

Gershon to report on Australia's ICT system

Sir Peter Gershon will next month complete an efficiency review of the Australian government's AUS$16 billion (£7.5 billion) information and communication technology (ICT) system.

News, 14 August 2008

Olympics timber buying slammed

Timber purchasing for the Beijing Olympic venues was not transparent enough and lacked sufficient auditing, according to a new study.

News, 14 August 2008

In the public eye

Three more government departments have undergone Procurement Capability Reviews. Paul Snell explains the findings

Features, 14 August 2008

In the public eye

Three more government departments have undergone Procurement Capability Reviews. Paul Snell explains the findings

Features, 14 August 2008

A lot on their plates

Tortilla turmoil in Mexico, onion objections in India and pasta protests in Italy... food prices are causing civil unrest. Anusha Bradley examines what buyers are doing to counter the problem

Features, 14 August 2008

Buyers, mind the pay gap

Under new proposals, buyers could be accountable for pay transparency among suppliers. Richard Brass explains

Features, 14 August 2008

How to save and prosper

Can your business make money and improve people's lives - including your own? Emma Clarke speaks to professor Angie Hobbs about the 'ethics of flourishing'

Features, 14 August 2008

Radical remedy

Purchasing at AstraZeneca is undergoing a major change programme, led by CPO Jon Kirby. Rebecca Ellinor finds out what he's achieved so far

Features, 31 July 2008

When the bubble burst

How great it was to read an issue of SM dedicated to recruitment and retention (3 July).

Soapbox, 14 August 2008

Credit where credit's due

As SM reports this issue, there has been another spate of public sector procurement evaluations. This follows close on the heels of reports and Gershon savings reviews and challenges to the validity of achievements.

First person, 14 August 2008

Sourcing: global or local?

I work for a telecommunications company and we're looking into global sourcing to reduce costs. What are the pros and cons of global versus local sourcing that we need to be aware of? Procurement supply chain specialist, Egypt

Adviser, 14 August 2008

Strategic Planning: how to deliver maximum value through effective business strategy

Robert Wittmann & Matthias P Reuter, Kogan Page, £14.99

Reviews, 14 August 2008

Outsourcing for Dummies

Ed Ashley, John Wiley & Sons, £15.99

Reviews, 14 August 2008

No room to wriggle

Expert determination is useful for solving technical issues. Adam Woods examines how binding this type of remedy is

Legal update, 14 August 2008

Photolibrary Group Ltd v Burda Senator

Court report, 14 August 2008

In a lather over prince's leather

Well, things have really reached a low point for UK PLC. As many once-proud British industries and specialist manufacturers moved production overseas, there were some producers we could always rely on to keep the home fires burning. Weren't there? Maybe not.

Hometruths, 14 August 2008

Make them want it

To ensure long-term loyalty from colleagues it's far better to convince them than to con them. Philip Hesketh reveals how

Knowledge zone, 14 August 2008

Lend me your ears...

Whether you're speaking at a conference or to your team, combining structure with spontaneity will help you get what you want from your audience. It will also help you to discover own your public speaking abilities, without requiring a lot of preparation.

Knowledge zone, 31 July 2008