The UK horse meat scandal continues to grow as officials investigate deeper. Over the last 7 years, the UK Border Agency has seized over 48 tons of meat entering the country illegally and doesn’t have the resources to control the problem alone. Government representatives are meeting with food industry leaders to reach a solution that…
For two decades, supply chain professionals have focused on reducing costs by trimming the unnecessary fat in their operations. Leaner production processes, lower on-hand inventory levels, and smaller, more frequent shipments created a just-in-time (JIT) supply chain that encouraged globalization. However, the risks and challenges associated with today’s supply chain aren’t always managed with a…
Local level governments take various approaches to procurement. Many use a traditional centralized purchasing system, while others have deregulated public procurement and allow departments more control over their purchasing decisions. Sullivan County, New York isn’t the only government adopting a hybrid system that combines the benefits of both centralized and decentralized processes.
Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly common, especially in sectors such as infrastructure and healthcare. Tenders and the procurement process, however, are typically not a collaborative effort. Scotland is changing that as the country prepares to host two major sports events in 2014.
As supply chains become more globalized, sustainable practices become a bigger challenge. NASA scientists have studied satellite images of the world’s oceans for more than a decade now, noting patterns that show signs of high pollution. The latest imagery shows high levels of nitrogen dioxide along heavily traveled shipping trails, especially the lane between Sri…
Corruption and lack of transparency are global concerns in public procurement. Emerging markets often face the biggest struggles when it comes to fighting corruption. Some nations are forming watchdog groups to encourage whistleblowers to stand up against corrupt practices, such as Tanzania. In South Africa, however, whistleblowers need protection, not encouragement.
Based on current population growth, humans will need three planets identical to Earth by the year 2050 if we hope to sustain our present lifestyles. Sustainable business practices, particularly in the supply chain, can reduce the impact society has on the environment, but can also cut costs for both businesses and consumers.
Just days after the January 28th release of an Independent Auditor report for the 2012 fiscal year, District of Columbia mayor Vince Gray announced plans to reform the state’s procurement processes. The procurement initiative is one of several strategies outlined in Gray’s State of the District speech on February 5th to “make sure the District’s…
What started as a small online bookstore in 1995 is now the world’s largest online retailer with a better selection than most brick-and-mortar department stores. The internet giant continues to grow and expand, now offering commercial materials for various industries through AmazonSupply. Amazon has gained a strategic position in the global supply chain and continues…
With the entire 787 Dreamliner fleet grounded indefinitely, Boeing engineers and officials are pointing fingers down the supply chain to find the source of the problem. According to the company, one of several outsourced suppliers is to blame for the battery fires that occurred in two of their new jets.