News News stories from the current issue

Buyers upgrade at First Group Transport giant First Group has made procurement a central part of its business, thanks to a new "customer-focused" strategy. News, 7 June 2007

Nike reveals CSR targets for 2011 Sports equipment manufacturer Nike has unveiled a range of corporate social responsibility goals. News, 7 June 2007

Lloyds TSB set to save The overhaul of procurement at Lloyds TSB is to net multi-million pound savings.

Vendors criticise store code Suppliers have described a code of practice drawn up to regulate the buying power of supermarkets as ineffective. News, 7 June 2007

Is multisourcing the new outsourcing? Buyers should consider multisourcing if they are outsourcing a variety of functions, rather than using a single provider. News, 7 June 2007

Steelcase UK ups turnover by 10% Office supplier Steelcase UK says a series of contract wins over the past 12 months provided its best period of growth in years. News, 7 June 2007

Public sector 'difficult' News, 7 June 2007

Firms' global claims disputed Almost half (48 per cent) of supply chain executives claim their companies are global, yet their procurement activity suggests otherwise. News, 7 June 2007

Buyography Following the launch of our online blog, we pick the best of recent comments. VIsit http://www.supplymanagement.com/edit/archiveitem.asp?id=16187 to join the debates. News, 7 June 2007

Good people more effective than processes, say SM 100 The human element involved in buying is still more valuable to effective procurement than having good systems. News, 7 June 2007

Turbulent economy should spur buyers Buyers have been told that a difficult economy is no excuse for poor professional performance. News, 7 June 2007

Female firms lose out in US US senator John Kerry has hit out at what he perceives as a lack of action in helping small firms owned by women win government contracts. News, 7 June 2007

City Link saves with takeover One of the UK's biggest express delivery companies is forecasting huge procurement savings following a recent takeover and the introduction of a new buying team. News, 24 May 2007

Virgin promotes ethical sourcing Virgin Group is to focus on human rights and labour standards in its supply chains as it tries to guarantee ethical sourcing. News, 24 May 2007

---

Features Featured articles from the current issue

Life on the front line Rebecca Ellinor meets John Collington, the dedicated and dynamic new head of Home Office procurement Features, 7 June 2007

What fits the bill? Can outsourced invoice consolidation be beneficial to your business? Rebecca Ellinor takes a closer look at how to approach it Features, 7 June 2007

Winning out West The ISM's 92nd annual conference brought together purchasers from all over the US to listen to some top speakers. Steve Bagshaw reports Features, 7 June 2007

Under one roof Shared service centres are an increasingly popular way for organisations to make savings. Debra Maxwell explains how Surrey County Council's award-winning centre operates Features, 7 June 2007

Retail with detail Love it or hate it, Tesco is the UK's biggest retail success story. Charlotte Dennis-Jones examines how procurement has played its part Features, 24 May 2007

---

Opinion

Viewpoint

Outsource v insource Anna Cooper's article on procurement outsourcing (To outsource or not to outsource, Features, 10 May) was a helpful addition this area, which she rightly identifies as under-researched. Soapbox, 7 June 2007

Adviser

Can buyers cross the divide? I am a buyer with a background in manufacturing who would like to find a position in the service sector, but I'm aware this might bea difficult move. What advice can you give? Adviser, 7 June 2007

---

Regulars

Reviews

undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefinedSave Money Illumina Digital for Teachers TV http://www.illumina.co.uk/ 4/5 Reviews, 7 June 2007

undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefinedOn-Demand Supply Management: World Class Strategies, Practices and Technology D Smock, R Udzki, S Rogers J Ross Publishing £32.50 4/5 Reviews, 7 June 2007

Update

undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefinedUnder construction Paul Carter Hemlin explains the courts' recent interpretation of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act and how it affects building contracts News, 7 June 2007

Court report

Cover Version Ltd v DHL Logistics (UK) Ltd Court report, 7 June 2007

First person

Books with a limited shelf life One of the worst things about having two desks - one at work, one at home - is that the people who send out business books invariably lob two copies of every new publication at me. First person, 7 June 2007

Home truths

No kudos for kouros Imagine going to the boss and having to own up to wasting $10 million on a poorly researched purchase. Would be painful, wouldn't it? Home truths, 7 June 2007