Friday Digest: Procurement makes it mark

This week procurement teams once again showed how they are and continue to help businesses through the tough economic climate as cost saving initiatives bared fruit for some while others are utilising procurement to get ahead of the competition.

News - Heidelberg sees profits boost from cost efficiency programme

Cement giant Heidelberg reported higher profits for 2011 due in part to an efficiency programme which cut $240m more than expected and in spite of rising energy costs.

News – Intel: speed and agility key to mobile sector

Intel’s new COO, who has responsibility for manufacturing, announced that in order to meet an expected increase in demand for chips and to gain ground on its rivals, improvements have been made to the supply chain which has speeded up production.

News – Procurement key to VW’s truck ambitions

VW meanwhile is planning to use procurement as a way to challenge its rivals in the trucking sector. The car giant plans to get MAN a truck and engine manufacturer working closer with its truck brand Scania on production of powertrains.

Analysis – The return of reusable packaging

On the analysis front Steve Hall took a look at the issue of reusable packaging. He found that the trend of packaging costs so no sign of falling back and recycling materials has its own cost pressures so reusable packaging could soon be coming back in fashion.

Procurement Leaders Awards 2012

The PLN awards shortlist was also announced so congratulations to those that made it. This year we had a record number of entries from right across the globe and the standard was extremely high. It will prove to be a great night so from the editorial team and from Procurement Leaders we hope to see you there.