Machine Part Procurement – Differences Between Parts Purchasing & Procurement So often the words purchasing and procurement are used interchangeably – as if they are the same. Yet, these two terms are very different.  Simply stated, purchasing happens when someone pays for goods and services. Procurement, however, includes the bigger picture – including the purchase.  So how do the two relate to machine parts? What is the difference between machine parts purchasing and machine parts procurement?  What is Machine Part Procurement?  Machine part procurement encompasses t ..read more

Spare Parts Procurement – What is it & Why is it Important? In the manufacturing of your goods, the focus is generally on the bigger picture. You have made sure that you have all the parts you need to create the desired whole. But what happens when you are missing one piece of the puzzle? With an ailing inventory of spare parts, you may just stall your entire manufacturing process.  While you can purchase spare parts by making an order and covering the cost, the procurement aspect includes everything that happens before, during, and after you make that purchase. It involves feeling c ..read more

4 Steps to Improve Procurement Efficiency Procurement does not have to be the difficult, involved process of yesteryear. Instead, today’s procurement processes are innovative, cost-effective, and efficient.  Getting the right supplies at the right time and in the right location can be done with ease and sustainability – as long as you have the right procurement team.  Here are 4 steps to improve your procurement efficiency and, in turn, maximize profits.    Analyze Your Current Processes Before you can take steps to improve procurement efficiency, you have to determine w ..read more

How to Ship Dangerous Goods Many goods need to get from one place to another in order for businesses to continue running. And, sometimes this includes the transportation of dangerous goods.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a list of dangerous goods and how to handle them, as well as the United States Postal Service (USPS), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG).  In other words, there are restrictions on how to ship dangerous goods regardless of their me ..read more

How Can Procurement Contribute to Increasing Profits? In business, making money and increasing profits are two major goals. And they can be accomplished by reducing costs.  But, just how do you do that? By implementing effective procurement services.  Let’s talk about how this works.  A Streamlined System When you have a streamlined system, you have the ability to make your workflow simple and fast. Things that used to take extra time and would even bottleneck your services no longer have the same effect. This is because you have turned over the task of securing the raw materia ..read more

6 Essential Steps to Take for a Successful Sourcing Strategy A sourcing strategy is a means of obtaining the products (or services) you need at the best price. To do so successfully, you want to secure the products effectively and in a way that minimizes any risks.  How do you do this? Follow these 6 essential steps for a successful sourcing strategy.  Perform a Spend Analysis Before you can determine what changes you need to make to your current system, it is important to analyze your spending. Take a look at your expense data to see your procurement costs. What are you spending ..read more

4 Strategies to Improve Your Supply Chain Having an efficient supply chain is crucial for the efficiency and success of your business. There are so many hands involved in getting something from one person to the next, including suppliers, warehouses, transportation companies of all types, distribution centers, and retailers. And there is even more involved behind the scenes.  Any delay at any point in the supply chain can leave you with devastating effects. So, to keep that from happening, here are 4 strategies to improve your supply chain.  Build Better Relationships with Suppliers ..read more

Chemical Procurement – Safety and Best Practices Industrial production often uses many different chemicals and hazardous substances. In order to procure them and have them go through the supply chain safely, extra care and caution must be taken for all of those that come in contact with them along the journey. Let’s take a look at chemical procurement and how putting safety and best practices to work for you can prove to be beneficial for all involved.  Have the Chemicals Clearly Marked There are so many goods and materials that go through the hands of those who supply, transport, and di ..read more

5 Projects that Titanium Oxide is Best Used For Titanium is one of the most common elements harvested from the Earth, and is also the metal that is most compatible with animals and the human body. Due to its abundance and mostly safe usage, there are many different types of titanium alloys. One particular alloy that is used in a wide range of products and projects is titanium oxide. Titanium oxide is any compound made up of a combination of titanium and oxygen. The result of fusing the two elements together creates one of the brightest, whitest pigments known to man. This makes titanium oxide ..read more

How to Manage the 4 Pillars of Global Procurement Global procurement is the process of buying raw materials, products, or services from companies all around the world. Rather than keeping business locally, they are able to secure what they need at a better price point, thus enabling them to maximize their efficiency and boost their growth.  While global procurement may sound like a great idea – and it is – it does come with challenges. There are many different parts that have to come together for the process to be smooth and successful.  Managing and balancing all areas that are cri ..read more