With so much recent press coverage about problems with safety in Chinese manufacturing supply chains there has never been so much attention on how best to manage risk as sourcing becomes ever more global. We take a look at how to minimize these risks and ensure supply.

We also start a series of articles looking at more general challenges that Procurement Directors / Chief Procurement Officers face in transforming their procurement processes, and discuss the growth of the supply chain management market, where companies such as IBX are ready and waiting to support you.

I hope that you find these articles and the others in this first UK edition of the IBX Newsletter of interest and look forward to welcoming you to the IBX Stand at this month’s eWorld Purchasing and Supply event in London.

There was a time when supply chain management was defined as solely the process of planning, implementing and controlling the operations of the supply chain, but with increased off-shoring and low cost country sourcing, global supply chains must now pay more attention to supply risks than ever before. IBX CEO Hans Ahlinder has the inside story of supply chains risks and how to successfully manage the volatile global market.

AMR Research reports that the supply chain market will continue to grow through 2011 based on recent research. For the sourcing and procurement market AMR Research predicts an annual growth of 8 percent. IBX is leading this development, reporting a growth of 35 percent for 2006.

With purchasing grabbing management attention left and right, the challenges that CPO:s face everyday has finally been brought into the light. But this newfound attention also brings added pressure to succeed with not only the purchasing agenda but with creating real value to the organization.

In a new series of articles in the IBX eNewsletter we will highlight the five most important challenges that a CPO will face in succeeding with the purchasing agenda. First in line: Getting management attention and the mandate to act on the purchasing potential.

Using eProcurement The LEGO Group has managed to increase Purchase Order Compliance from 50% in 2005 to 70% in 2006 in Denmark.
- The eProcurement system makes everybody across the LEGO Group see what positive things change can bring, and that everybody can contribute by altering old habits to new and better ones, says Bertil Brink Pedersen Director of Corporate Finance - Procure to Pay.

IBX are pleased to make our first appearance at the UK’s most important event for procurement and supply chain professionals. Come and listen to Aberdeen Group as they unveil their vision for the next wave of innovation in procurement, and share insights with many other purchasing executives. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear Cecilia Martinez-Pesce from IBX talk about our Efficient Purchasing Methodology and how it has helped companies such as Ericsson, SEB and many others succeed in transforming their procurement processes.

We would be delighted to offer you a coffee so please come and visit us on stand 35

The GEA Group, a globally active technology company focusing on specialty mechanical engineering, has signed a three-year contract with IBX.
- Our aim is to optimize the strategic purchasing function in our company for the long run. In addition to the time that will be saved during complex projects related to the awarding of contracts, what was crucial for us when opting for IBX, was the additional transparency provided in the tendering process, says Frank Bauwens, Director of Supply Management at the GEA Group.

Check out IBX new Website with great features such as the IBX Excellence center. Read about Purchasing insights, Success stories, Purchasing dictionary and don’t forget to explore the Purchasing link collection.
If you are interested in a new career – check our Open Positions.