Industry Insights Supply Chain Management Sustainability

How procurement teams can navigate sustainability

By Jack Macfarlane, Founder and CEO, DeepStream Technologies Recent research published in the Harvard Business Review has shown a significant increase in consumer demand for sustainable practices, making sustainability a critical threshold for purchase decisions. It is now the minimum standard businesses must meet to show their commitment to the environment and secure client or

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Industry Insights

What Happened To Wyoming’s Lithium?

A ticker-tape parade was the only thing missing when lithium deposits were discovered in southwest Wyoming near Rock Springs in 2013. At the time, there was one working lithium mine in the US; unfortunately, that’s still true. Demand for lithium was high then and has skyrocketed to meet its use in rechargeable and EV batteries.

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Sourcing Strategies

The Value of Preparation in Advance of Procurement Negotiation

We all likely know how to achieve best practices in negotiations. You want to come to the best possible solution for both sides—win/win, and you already know your goals and timeline, you’re familiar with the contract you want, and you know how to play well in any situation. That, unfortunately, isn’t enough. Let’s look back

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Industry Insights

EV Momentum—Where are we?

Last month, we examined if the EV push could be unraveling. This month, I’ll explore evidence that indicates EVs are picking up momentum globally. In this counterpoint article, let’s forget about the new EPA regulations and mandates for now while taking in adoption rates, what’s driving EV demand, rapid technology advances, and just how easy

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Industry Insights

Could the EV Push be Unraveling?

We’ll explore the evidence that suggests it is. Stay tuned for January’s piece, when we’ll dive into the technology working to make it happen. There’s increasing evidence that the Biden Administration’s EV push may unravel. The administration’s regulations seem to necessitate an increase in EV sales from 8.5% to 67% of all U.S. auto sales

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Supply Chain Management

The Real Impact of War on Global Supply Chains

There are obvious supply-chain impacts from war. Shortages, escalating prices, and the flow of goods are common short and long-term examples. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the more recent bloodshed between Hamas and Israel are certainly exhibiting the supply-chain impact mentioned. Still, there are more subtle effects as well. The Russia/Ukraine War

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Supply Chain Management

Economic Instability and Supply Chains

A major supply chain challenge is economic instability. We know that supply chain challenges can cause economic instability, but what about the other way around? What impact does economic volatility have on supply chains—especially over an extended period? Supply chain challenges have been back-to-back and overlapping. Even before COVID-19’s demand surge and constrained supply wreaked

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Supply Chain Management

Semiconductor Shortage the New Normal?

The automotive industry has faced significant challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on semiconductor chip availability, causing widespread disruptions across the sector and the global economy. However, as we approach mid-2023, the situation has stabilized, and the auto industry has adjusted to a new normal. While the shortage of semiconductor chips that

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Sustainability

Ethical Considerations in Procurement: Nurturing Transparency, Fairness, and Social Responsibility

Procurement is crucial for any organization, encompassing acquiring goods and services to support business operations. However, this seemingly routine process can significantly impact a company’s reputation, sustainability, and overall success. Ensuring ethical procurement practices is paramount, as it fosters stakeholder trust, safeguards against potential conflicts of interest, promotes fair treatment of suppliers, and upholds corporate

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Supply Chain Management

Supply Chains Are Healing, But…

So, yes, there is evidence that supply chains are healing. However, although the worst may be over, most goods transported under contracts cost more. Inflation has wreaked havoc on many segments of the chain. Shipping container cost, for example, from Asia to the US West coast, is up more than 15x, while short-term prices for

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