Thursday, February 23, 2012
Edition 29 (Jan 2011)
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
David Rae, Editor
As another year begins, I can't help but return to China. Procurement Leaders has dedicated a huge amount of editorial space to this most fascinating of countries during 2010, for which I make no apologies. The truth is that the future of China will dictate the future of business.
Okay, it's a bold statement. But with many raw material prices being propped up almost entirely by Chinese demand, a domestic market on the brink of what will be seen, in years to come, as the world's biggest spending spree, and the tentacles of Chinese investment reaching into more foreign parts, the future, it seems certain, is red.
For CPOs, this comes with many challenges. Most important is the increasing competition for supply. With more than a billion people hungry to consume everything from the latest fashions to the fanciest technology, supply is going to be pushed to the limits. At a recent roundtable discussion (see page 46) one of the delegates explained how the price of PET used in his products' packaging has increased considerably because of competition from the manufacturers of LCD screens. It's just one example among thousands. And it's why supplier relationships are so important - beating the competition to the supply of, and working with partners on substitutes to, high-demand commodities will be two fundamental competitive differentiators in the coming years.
More from the editor
PROCUREMENT FEATURES
- Sustainability: Supply Chain Revamp for Virgin Media
Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:00:14 - Profile: American Airlines' John MacLean on navigating economic turbulence
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:22:49 - In Focus: New editorial webinars
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:21:01 - Procurement Leaders Awards: View from the podium
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:15:47 - Roundtable: Future challenges, London
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:13:25 - Roundtable: Travel management, Frankfurt
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:11:01 - People: Outsourcing - a threat to jobs
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:08:42 - People: Skills in demand are changing
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:07:25 - Technology: Daimler's cloud computing drive
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:04:58 - In Focus: Fears over Euro collapse
Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:03:52
PROCUREMENT OPINIONS
The complexity of mobile telephony contracts puts emphasis on, among other things, the technical expertise of buyers to negotiate the right deal, writes Dirk Karl Economic View: Stability threatened by currency tensions
Eastern and western economic powers still at odds over the best course of action to prevent the escalation of currency wars and protectionist policies, writes Philip Thornton Inside View: Breeding a competitive culture in procurement
Procurement needs strong leaders if it wants to compete with other functions for investment resources. But are CPOs up to the challenge, asks Neil Deverill
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