“Never rely on just one supplier,” buyers have often told me. But sometimes this seems unavoidable. Large construction or infrastructure projects often only employ a single contractor to complete the project. But if you are reliant on one supplier or contractor to get the job done, what do you do if it all goes pear-shaped? [...]
In this article five years ago we were reporting on the problems that the Department of Health had in trying to appoint a new procurement chief. Out of more than 70 candidates that applied, “the calibre of entrants was not good enough”, said a health spokesman. Fast-forward another five years and the government’s record on [...]
Every company that I seem to talk to, be it buyer or supplier, describes themselves as a “leader” in the field, or one of the “top” firms in the sector. Although it may be unlikely to expect firms not to blow their own trumpet, it often makes it difficult to determine the companies who are [...]
A question posed by a reader: “My company has a long-term non-contract arrangement with a critical supplier. The supplier is threatening to cease deliveries unless we agree to an immediate 20 per cent price rise for each consignment. What can we do?” Advisers told us: • the first thing to do is call a face-to-face [...]
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is currently scrutinising almost 100 UK construction companies for price-fixing. It is the biggest investigation it has ever conducted into cartels and bid rigging in the industry. What began as a check into irregularities at one hospital in the East Midlands, spread into a huge inquiry with no fewer [...]
In addition to the CIPS 75th anniversary this year, I also notice that the Society of Local Government Procurement Officers is celebrating a ten-year anniversary in October. ProcureCon is also celebrating its tenth anniversary conference later this year. So it begs the question, just what was going on in 1997 to cause this surge in [...]
As CIPS marks its 75th anniversary, SM has been reviewing how far the purchasing profession has come and trying to predict what might happen next. We spoke to futurologists and academics to see what they think the future holds for buyers. Among their expectations were that by 2082 “almost all procurement will be done by [...]
We take a look at the future of procurement in the current issue, with experts trying to imagine what purchasing will look like in the next 75 years. But what will the vocabulary of purchasing sound like? We have already progressed from calling it buying, to purchasing, and now procurement. And already we are seeing [...]
This issue our experts were posed with the question, “Some suppliers have complained our tender processes are too long and are too expensive, putting them off participating. How do I cut the cost and time without reducing due diligence?” Here are the highlights of what they told us: * develop a simplified process for low [...]
In the next issue of Supply Management, out tomorrow – Special Issue celebrating the 75th anniversary of CIPS Featured Articles 75 years of CIPS – A look back at the achievements and milestones of the past 75 years since the formation of the Purchasing Officers’ Association in 1932 Peers into the future – Six purchasing [...]
