Purchasing articles from February 2003

Purchasing archives from February 2003

Ten commandmants of reverse auctions. (Inside Purchasing).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... This issue's cover story (starting on page 25) focuses on buying in Detroit, never a very pleasant topic. Too often, Detroit's top purchasing executives have focused on price, and not enough on cost reduction and supplier collaboration. Now...

Business Activity Index. (Purchasing Magazines).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... LAST TWELVE MONTHS PURCHASING'S Business Activity Index remains woefully flat. For every manufacturing buyer reporting an upturn in business, there's another reporting flat sales and yet another reporting a decline. UP 1.7 [GRAPH...

Polystyrene tags will rise more. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Polystyrene tags will rise more. The commodity plastic tops PURCHASING'S latest list of products under the greatest price pressure. Reason: rising monomer costs coupled with a determination from producers, led by Dow Chemical, to restore profit...

Look for the dollar to weaken until the Iraq crisis subsides. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Look for the dollar to weaken until the Iraq crisis subsides. Foreign investors will shun dollar-based assets until tensions ease. The potential of a short-term energy spike also clouds the dollar's outlook. Result: Imports will be more...

Gold prices will rise as the dollar sags. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Gold prices will rise as the dollar sags. Mavens peg future tags at $375/oz. For a full report from PURCHASING'S Tom Stundza on the outlook for gold, go to the E-Sourcing Zone at www.purchasing.com/ezone. Other products profiled in "When to...

Technology watch: longer-life batteries are on the horizon. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Technology watch: longer-life batteries are on the horizon. Newest development is a fuel cell filled with methanol that creates power for portable devices through a chemical reaction. Intermec of Everett, Wash., announced last month it will use...

Hot new title in the Purchasing.com bookstore. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Hot new title in the purchasing.com bookstore. It's "Sourcing Office Technologies". The 82-page book is a collection of the best recent stories by Susan Avery on how to apply strategic sourcing to office equipment, supplies, printing and forms....

Get the latest tips on reverse auctions from major users at the Global Procurement Conference April 16-17. (Tip Sheet: Key Metrics and Supply Alert).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Get the latest tips on reverse auctions from major users at the Global Procurement Conference April 16-17. Register at www.globalprocurement.purchasing.com.

90-Day Energy Price Expectations. (Purchasing Magazines).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING MAGAZINES 90-DAY ENERGY PRICE EXPECTATIONS Price expectations, 90-days COMMODITY DIFFUSION CATEGORY PERIOD UP DOWN SAME INDEX Energy ...

Praxair Inc. is the first supplier of industrial gases to raise 2003 prices. (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Praxair Inc. is the first supplier of industrial gases to raise 2003 prices-raising bulk oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen 7% and increasing argon 10% for U.S. direct and distributor customers.

Spot-market prices for stainless steel sheet slipped to $60.40/hundredweight (cwt) in January from $62.30/cwt in December. (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Spot-market prices for stainless steel sheet slipped to $60.40/hundredweight (cwt) in January from $62.30/cwt in December. Mills blame cheap imports for sales that are undercutting negotiated contract prices of $64/cwt by 6%. Truth is that...

Glycerin prices are poised to spike upward possibly reaching previous peaks in excess of $1/lb (1995-1996). (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Glycerin prices are poised to spike upward possibly reaching previous peaks in excess of $1/lb (1995-1996). After reaching 350/lb in 2000, average annual spot-market prices slipped to 72-73cents/lb in each of the past two years. Now, there are...

Some industrial metals prices could rise in 2003. (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Some industrial metals prices could rise in 2003, despite uncertainty over economic recovery, says analyst Lawrence Eagles at Man Financial in New York. "The outlook for 2003 nonferrous metals prices remains very uncertain, but pipeline stocks...

Natural gas prices are climbing quickly. (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Natural gas prices are climbing quickly, shocking millions of home and business owners as they open winter energy bills. Relief from higher costs is nowhere in sight. "We see continued pressure on natural gas prices for the next one to two...

Gasoline prices are expected to climb steadily over the next three months. (Prices: Factors Affecting Product Cost).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Gasoline prices are expected to climb steadily over the next three months because of high-priced oil and the unlikely prospect of significant supplies from Venezuela before summer, the Energy Department says. Gasoline prices nationwide are...

Forward Demand Indicator, 90-Day. (Purchasing Magazines).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING MAGAZINES FORWARD DEMAND INDICATOR, 90-DAY Tracking the economy Latest Previous Year % chg vs. Indicator Period period period ago year ago ...

Purchasing's Business Activity Index remained neutral in January. (Economy: How Supply Managers see Business).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING'S Business Activity Index remained neutral in January, but the magazine's Forward Demand Index, which tracks buyers' 90-day purchasing plans for raw materials and services rose strongly to 62.1. This increase in PURCHASING'S Forward...

Evidence continues to mount that the U.S. economy has avoided a double-dip recession. (Economy: How Supply Managers see Business).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Evidence continues to maunt that the U.S. economy has avoided a double-dip recession. Latest: The Economic Cycle Research Institute's (ECRI) Weekly Leading Index rose nearly two points in the week ending Jan. 3 and its growth rate edged up from...

The U.S. will not endure a Japan-style economic slump and faces mild inflation rather than deflation. (Economy: How Supply Managers see Business).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... The U.S. will not endure a Japan-style economic slump and faces mild inflation rather than deflation, according to the Shadow Open Market Committee (SOMC), a group of economists that meets regularly to evaluate policy choices made by the...

Capital spending will improve in 2003, according to a survey of manufacturers by the Philadelphia Fed. (Economy: How Supply Managers see Business).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Capital spending will improve in 2003, according to a survey of manufacturers by the Philadelphia Fed. The percentage of firms planning to increase capital budgets (33%) is higher than the percentage expecting more cuts (21%). However nearly...

Fabricated Metals Forward Demand Indicator, 30-Day. (Purchasing Magazines).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING MAGAZINES FABRICATED METALS FORWARD DEMAND INDICATOR, 30-DAY Forward demand, 30-days COMMODITY DIFFUSION CATEGORY PERIOD UP DOWN SAME INDEX Fabricated...

W.W. Grainger Inc., which provides supplies to keep businesses operating. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(expects revenue growth of 6.5% in 2003)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... W.W. Grainger Inc., which provides supplies to keep businesses operating, expects revenue growth of 6.5% in 2003 even though it saw sales slide 2% in 2002. CEO Richard L. Keyser's forecast is based on economic assumptions of Gross Domestic...

U.S. paper makers permanently idled three million tons of annual capacity in 2002. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... U.S. paper makers permanently idled three million tons of annual capacity in 2002, and "shut indefinitely" another 1.2 million tons. American Forest & Paper Assn. calls it "the largest one-year capacity rollback in the industry's recorded...

Wellman and Voridian still plan to boost polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin capacity by 118,000 metric tons/year later this decade. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Wellman and Voridian still plan to boost polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin capacity by 118,000 metric tons/year later this decade. But, for now, the partners are proceeding with only a $68 million expansion in Palmeffo, S.C., while...

"Cautious corporate investment and weak office construction" forecast for 2003. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... "Cautious corporate investment and weak office construction" forecast for 2003 could reduce an expected 8% sales growth for U.S.-made office furniture and cabinets. That would bring 2003 shipments to $9.4 billion. Trade association data shows...

Arrow Electronics is buying the $700 million (2002 sales) Industrial Electronics Division of Cleveland-based Pioneer-Standard Electronics for $285 million. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Arrow Electronics is buying the $700 million (2002 sales) Industrial Electronics Division of Cleveland-based Pioneer-Standard Electronics for $285 million. Arrow, the Melville, N.Y-based electronic components distributor, expects to merge the...

Distributor shipments of power transmission and motion control products declined 1.3% through in November. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Distributor shipments of power transmission and motion control products declined 1.3% through November, but the Power Transmission Distributors Association's confidence index rose to 51 in a diffusion index where 50 or above shows growth....

Revenue from electronic manufacturing services (EMS) declined 5% last year. (Supply: What's Happening in Markets).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Revenue from electronic manufacturing services (EMS) declined 5% last year, and 2003 won't be much better, suggests analyst Scott Hudson of iSuppli Corp. "Competitive pricing and slack demand from electronic original equipment manufacturing...

Energy costs force index higher. (Transaction Prices).
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING magazines Industrial Supplies Price Index (ISPI, weighted, 1992=100) registered 124.2 in January up from a revised 120.1 in December, signaling its eleventh consecutive monthly increase off the cylical nadir of 104.3 in December...

Hot spots.(mini-mills raising prices on merchant bar and reinforcing bar)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Nucor, TXI Chaparral Steel and other mini-mills are trying to respond to rising scrap and energy costs by getting buyers to pay $15/ton more for merchant bar and concrete reinforcing bar (rebar). Nucor also is planning to hike prices on special...

Source abroad, but watch those logistics costs. (Global Sourcing).
February 6, 2003... Many manufacturing firms today are realizing the benefits of buying products from suppliers in low-cost countries, but evaluating those moves may be more difficult than it appears. Diversified industrial products manufacturer Ingersoll-Rand is...

Tune in to supply management's best minds. (Global Procurement Conference).(Meeting will discuss challenges in purchasing and supply chain management)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Twice in the past two years, PURCHASING magazine has convened its Editorial Advisory Board for private discussions on best practices and challenges in purchasing and supply chain management. A third meeting of these minds--scheduled to occur in...

Imports keep competition humming in motor mart. (Motors).
February 6, 2003... Leadtime data collected by PURCHASING magazine shows that markets for industrial motors are still oversupplied. For the 12 months ending January 2003, suppliers of integral motors in the 1-30 horsepower range (PURCHASING'S sample motor product)...

Buyers are cautious about economic prospects for 2003. (Grassroots Report).
February 6, 2003... All the ingredients are in place for the U.S. economy to improve at a slow, steady pace this year, according to a large number of economic forecasts for 2003. Still, if PURCHASING'S latest Business Survey is any gauge, roughly two in three...

Correction.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Coca-Cola Enterprises uses SAP's Enterprise Buyer Professional as its e-procurement platform. This information was incorrectly reported in PURCHASING'S Dec. 12, 2002 issue.

Intern programs provide low cost access to new talent. (Recruiting).
February 6, 2003... If you're interested in inexpensive help from people knowledgeable in the ins and outs of supply chain management, it is worth the effort to consider a university internship program. One such program is in place at Western Illinois...

Reynolds leaves Sony Electronics for Adelphia. (Who's News).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Ruth Reynolds has left her post as manager of strategic procurement for the Engineering Manufacturing and Customer Service of America at Sony Electronics Inc. to become director of procurement at Adelphia Communications, Coudersport, Pa....

International law trumps UCC for deals in 61 nations. (Murray's Law).
February 6, 2003... The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), now applies to sales of goods (but not to sales of such services as contract manufacturing) between businesses in these countries: Argentina, Australia,...

Purchasing publishes office tech book. (Buylines).(Book Review)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING magazine's newest book Sourcing Office Technologies provides readers with a look at ways smart buyers acquire office equipment (multi-function products, copiers, facsimiles) and supplies. Stories show the importance of purchasing...

What's hot. (Metals).(Steel imports)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Steel imports for the first 11 months of last year reached 29.6 million net tons, which annualizes to 32.3 million tons. "This would be the fourth highest steel import year in U.S. history," according to the American Iron and Steel Institute,...

No big increase in orders, prices perceived for 2003. (Aluminum Sheet).(aluminum sheet products)
February 6, 2003... "Prices for aluminum sheet products, plain or coated, are all over the parking lot these days," says Buyer Diane Thompson at Laminators Inc., the Hatfield, Pa.-based manufacturer of aluminum-based outdoor signboards. The current round of price...

Processing distributors keep consolidating ownerships. (Steel).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Bushwick Metals Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a division of Marmon/Keystone Corp. bought Fisher Bros. Steel Corp., Englewood, N.J. This is the second acquisition by Bushwick, which acquired Azco Steel, Saddle Brook, N.J., two years ago. ...

Demand decline from aerospace weakens prices. (Superalloys).(superalloys)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... With aircraft build rates below past years, demand for superalloys is depressed and market prices now are down nearly 15% from autumn of last year. According to a number of market sources, the current price for high-volume grade 718 has dropped...

The future for the steel futures market is uncertain. (Metals Perspective).
February 6, 2003... The introduction of a steel futures market has been heralded by some as the answer to many of the problems facing the industry today. Granted, the introduction of a London Metal Exchange (LME)-type reference price would allow the mills and...

Industry consolidation offers few certainties. (Steel).
February 6, 2003... Back-to-back takeover bids in the U.S. steel industry in January quickened the pace toward consolidation of the supply sector under unrelenting pressure from global competition to keep production costs down. Market analysts are split, however,...

Some mavens see planets aligned for price at $375/oz. (Gold).(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... As the year opened, most precious metals forecasts saw gold bullion selling at an annual average of $330/oz. But, with Venezuela's crude oil woes and President Bush's saber raffling over Iraq, bullion dealers, banks and other analysts have...

Activity not great, but will improve. (Exclusive Business Data).(Metalworking activity)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Metalworking activity opened 2003 on a weak note, contracting for a fourth consecutive month. PURCHASING magazine's first Business Survey of the new year registered 48.0 in the metal buyers' Business Activity Index. That means the rate of...

Hot spots.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2003... Ferrous scrap prices exploded in late January by $20/long ton (2,200 lb) for prompt-delivery material in some steel-making regions, as the nation's steel mills resumed production following holiday slowdowns. Steelmakers always enter the year...

No inflationary forces in the marketplace: mixed economic activity and geopolitical concerns will hold down prices for most industrial metals. (Metals Outlook 2003).
February 6, 2003... After a market basket of mill products rose 5% in 2002, producers of production-grade metals would like to see transaction prices increase even more this year. However, since metalworking has been hit hard during the recession and weak...

Suppliers: friend or foe? Traditional supplier management strategies begin to blur in the automotive industry. (The Automotive Buy).
February 6, 2003... Historically there have been two schools of supplier management in the automotive industry. The U.S.-based automakers over the years gained a reputation for focusing on price reductions from suppliers and the slumping automotive market in...

Purchasing drives enhancements: emphasis is on increased automation and more control. (Purchasing Cards).(General Electric business units use Optical Document Retention to electronically store and retrieve purchasing card receipts)
February 6, 2003... Some General Electric business units are using a new technology called Optical Document Retention to electronically store and retrieve purchasing card receipts. Introduced about 18 months ago, the internally developed technology is used by card...

Bayer's Rx: innovation; emphasis is on global collaboration, rethinking old approaches, tackling big new areas such as fleet costs, and achieving aggressive objectives. (Strategic Sourcing).(Bayer Corp )
February 6, 2003... Bayer Corp. initiated 750 cost reduction projects in 2001 and 2002 in the NAFTA region, netting cost reductions of more than $125 million, procurement officers said in recent interviews in Pittsburgh. In some cases Bayer buyers took new...

Centralize! What it takes to centralize procurement in a decentralized corporate culture. (Editorial Advisory Board).(Column)
February 6, 2003... Most procurement experts believe 15-20% of purchased materials and services can be saved (billions of dollars in a large company) by centralizing procurement and leveraging a far-flung corporation's buying power. Despite this expert opinion,...

What's hot. (Logistics).(includes several items)
February 6, 2003... Already 2003 has brought some major changes to the world of logistics. First, with oil prices nearing two-year highs in reaction to Middle East political concerns and a major strike in Venezuela, OPEC recently announced it is increasing...

The Return of Rail: shippers see carrier service improving. (Rail Freight).
February 6, 2003... A headline pronouncing "Rail is Back" may be a bit premature, but rail shippers continue to report consistent efforts and improvements in the level of service they receive from carriers. There is more flexibility among rail carriers today to...

Mixed automotive demand slows recovery. (Bearings).
February 6, 2003... Automotive demand is complicating a full recovery for bearings as a number of sources forecast a downturn in 2003, while others see higher activity. With mixed expectations for automotive and little growth elsewhere, most bearings tags aren't...

Master Bond Inc. (Adhesives, Sealants and Coatings).
February 6, 2003... www.masterbond.com Master Bond Inc. manufacturers over 3,000 grades of adhesives, sealants, coatings, potting compounds and impregnation resins. Products include epoxies, anaerobics, cyanoacrylates, silicones and acrylics. One and two part...

Yarde Metals. (Aluminum).
February 6, 2003... www.yarde.com Multi-metal distributors, featuring complete processing of sheet and plate, bar, tubes, angles and extruded products. Visit our website for a complete listing of our stocked inventory.

FBG Service Corporation. (Building Maintenance).
February 6, 2003... www.fbgservices.com ISO 9002 Registered. Consolidate your building services (janitorial, HVAC, pest, lawn, etc.).in one convenient, affordable package. One site or nation-wide. Professional management, help desk, one-call service, monthly...

Jessen Manufacturing Co., Inc. (CNC and Screw Machine Products).
February 6, 2003... www.jessenmfg.com Founded in 1923, we utilize in-house tool making and world class manufacturing techniques to provide just-in-time delivery of quality screw machine products and CNC precision machine parts. From prototyping to blanket...

Omega Engineering, Inc. (Compact Controller).
February 6, 2003... www.omega.com One Omega Drive, Stamford, CT 06907 Phone: 800-826-6342 Fax: 302-359-7700 info@omega.com The OMEGA [R] iSeries, a family of microprocessor-based instruments offered in two true DIN sizes with NEMA-4, P65...

Magni-Fab Southwest Company. (Contract Metal Fabrication).
February 6, 2003... www.magni-fabsouthwestcompany.com Magni-Fab Southwest Co. is a contract metal fabricator and stamper, Processing steel, aluminum, and stainless steel through 112 inch thick. Offering CNC punching, forming, stamping to 250 tons, laser...

Diecasting Development Council. (Die Casting).
February 6, 2003... www.diecasting.org/ddc The Diecasting Development Council's searchable database of custom die casters details alloys cast, part size and weight ranges. The site also lists die casting industry suppliers and consultants, covering everything...

The Filter Store Plus. (Filters).
February 6, 2003... www.filterstore.com Single source supplier for all your filtration needs. We can supply, or cross, most mater manufacturers of filters. We carry air intake, compressed air & gas, hydraulic, liquid, and all types of filter housings....

netCOMPONENTS. (Electronic Components Sourcing).
February 6, 2003... www.netcomponents.com netCOMPONENTS, launched in 1997, is the worlds largest destination for sourcing and procurement of electronic components in a direct, disclosed (non-anonymous), and vendor-neutral environment. netCOMPONENTS offers...

Spectrum Transportation Consultants, Inc. (Freight Cost Containment).
February 6, 2003... www.spectrumtrans.com Learn how cur group purchasing power will reduce your freight costs while targeting areas for improving your supply chain. Our no-cost analysis will benchmark your current practices and demonstrate your savings...

Stocker Hinge Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Hinges).
February 6, 2003... www.stocker.com info@stocker.com Stocker Hinge has been North America's leading designer and manufacturer of continuous, butt and specialty hinges for OEM's and Distributors since 1937. QS-9000 / ISO 9001 certified quality, extensive...

Earnest Machine Products. (Industrial Fasteners).
February 6, 2003... www.earnestmachine.com 800-EARNEST (327-6378) FAX: 216/362-9970 Earnest Machine is a wholesale distributor of over 35,000 industrial fasteners serving distributors and original equipment manufacturers. We operate eight locations...

Magni-Power Company/Magnetic Division. (Magnetic Hand Tools and Conveyors).
February 6, 2003... www.magnipower.com Order on-line over 130 magnetic hand tools, separators, sweepers, and other magnetic products. n business since 1948 helping manufacturers with their magnetic and conveyor needs. Accept Visa / Master Card. See our web...

Magni-Power Company. (Metal Fabrications and Assemblies).
February 6, 2003... www.magnipower.com E-mail: info@magnipower.com Magni-Power company is a full service metal fabricator. Processing steel, aluminum, and stainless steel through 3/8 inch thick. Offering CNC punching, stamping, forming, laser cutting,...

Triton Industries, Inc. (Metal Stampings, Fabrications, Enclosures).
February 6, 2003... www.tritonindustries.com ISO-QS-9000 Certified--Automated prog. Die stampings, laser-cut prototypes, fabricated custom enclosures. Low--medium & high volumes. Aluminum stamped heat sinks. Stainless steel, steel, aluminum enclosure, and...

GLOBEX Product Sourcing. (OEM Products).
February 6, 2003... www.gbx.com E-Mail: info@gbx.com Phone: 1-888-445-6239 GLOBEX provides custom-manufactured, made-to-specification parts for OEM/ODM clients. All services are provided...from product design, on-site quality control and code...

Plasto-Tech Corporation. (Plastics Vacuum Forming).
February 6, 2003... www.plasto-tech.com Plasto-Tech Corporation specializes in vacuum forming plastics for returnable trays, dunnage, and plastic skids. Equipment to form 120 inches by 80 inches by 24 inches deep. CNC routing, die cutting, secondary...

Best! Corporate Stationery, Inc. (Printing).
February 6, 2003... www.bestblueribbon.com E-mail: more.info@bestblueribbon.com 1-800-815-6695 The Business Stationery Program * The First: On-line ordering since 1983 (established 1954) * The Finest: Secure Sites, P-Cards, Ariba, Online...

Tonia Deal Consultants, Inc. (Recruiting/Professional Placement).
February 6, 2003... www.toniadealconsultants.com TDC, Inc. specializes in technical and executive placement, focusing in Supply Chain Management. We are a 100% female owned small business with an outstanding reputation for providing top talent, including...

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (Sodium Bicarbonate).
February 6, 2003... www.ahperformance.com Church & Dwight is the manufacturer of ARM & HAMMER[R] brand sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate and a worldwide leader in the development of innovative bicarbonate applications. The...

QMC Technologies, Inc. (Stainless Steel Fittings & Stainless Steel Machining).
February 6, 2003... www.qmctechnologies.com E-mail: rapidquote@qmctechnologies.com 4142 Broadway, Depew, NY 14043 (Since 1976) 1-800-569-0810 FAX: (716) 681-0881 QMC manufactures custom OEM Stainless Steel fittings and components to...

buyfittingsonline.com. (Stainless Steel Threaded Fittings).
February 6, 2003... www.buyfittingsonline.com E-mail: rapidquote@buyfittingsonline.com 1-800-569-0810 FAX: (716) 681-0881 Visit our fully enabled E-commerce site for the easiest way to buy premium quality Stainless NPT fittings. Over 480 items!...

Tolling Services, LLC. (Tolling).
February 6, 2003... www.tolling.com Excess manufacturing capacity. Tolling Services provides the only E-Commerce platform that enables profitable manufacturers and their customers to confidentially form private joint ventures combining manufacturers' use of...

USFreightways. (Transportation).
February 6, 2003... www.usfc.com 773-824-1000 USFreightways (NASDAQ: USFC) provides comprehensive supply chain services, including high-value next day (www.nextdaydelivery.com), regional and national less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL)...

Leads signal production growth. (Leadtimes).(Illustration)
February 6, 2003... PURCHASING'S Leadtime Index (see below) continues to signal recovery for manufacturing production in 2003. For the 12 months ending January 2003, PURCHASING'S Leadtime Index stood 12% above its average for the corresponding year-ago period....

Year starts on positive note.(indices for electronics-consuming companies)(Illustration)
February 20, 2003... Year starts on positive note Electronics-consuming companies Up Down Same Index * Trend Business Activity Index 40% 27% 33% 56.7 [up] Forward Demand Index, all commodities (90 days)...

Wait two months and then lock in LTL freight costs for 2003. (Tip Sheet).(Brief Article)
February 20, 2003... Wait two months and then lock in LTL freight costs for 2003. There's plenty of excess capacity and trucking companies would love to lock in your business. They won't deal much, however, until fuel costs settle down.

Pay more attention to your services buy. (Tip Sheet).(services represent some 30% of total spending at large companies)(Brief Article)
February 20, 2003... Pay more attention to your services buy. A new study from CAPS indicates that services account for about 30% of the total spend at many large companies. That compares to 50% for direct materials and 20% for indirect. In the meantime, companies...