Strategic Sourcing

Strategic Sourcing

Public Procurement Leaders Cite 74% Cost Rise as Top Challenge

A 2026 Euna Solutions survey of 100 North American public procurement professionals found 74% cite rising costs as their top external challenge — the third year running. Budget stagnation (55%) and economic uncertainty (48%) followed. Compliance topped internal concerns (46%), while 50% prioritized process automation over the next 12–18 months. Only 17% expressed high confidence in AI readiness, with 41% reporting low confidence. Danielle Mouw of the General Services Administration called current AI use 'the wild west.'

2026-09-20

Strategic Sourcing

Target Targets 32.5% Supply Chain Emission Cut by 2035

Target has committed to cutting its supply chain emissions by 32.5% by 2035, identifying supplier energy transitions as the most impactful lever for Scope 3 reductions. According to its 2026 Sustainability and Governance Report, supplier energy use is the largest driver of its upstream carbon footprint. The retailer collaborates with Schneider Electric on the Forward Renew program — now in its second year — to help suppliers calculate footprints, scale renewables, and track progress. Target also provides tailored support for energy efficiency, renewable electricity procurement, and low-carbon process heat.

2026-09-19

Strategic Sourcing

Amazon Business hits $60B, adds 1.8M orgs amid AI procurement shift

Amazon Business has reached $60 billion in annualized gross sales, serving 11 million customers globally and adding 1.8 million organizations this year. The platform saved customers $880 million on Prime free shipping and $1 billion in business-specific discounts last year, while expanding same-day grocery delivery to 2,300 U.S. cities in early 2026. Its AI tools — Amazon Business Assistant and Savings Insights — enable continuous, conversational procurement and cross-location spend optimization. A dedicated B2B delivery fleet launched last year handles complex logistics for hospitals and universities.

2026-09-18

Strategic Sourcing

US pushes 75% North American AI hardware rule amid $82.9B Mexico server exports

The U.S. is pressuring Mexico to adopt a 75% North American content rule for AI hardware — mirroring auto-sector requirements — amid Mexico's explosive $82.9 billion AI server export surge in early 2026. WTO warns geo-fragmentation could slash global GDP by 5.1% and exports by 18.6%. Yet North America lacks capacity to replace Asia-Pacific suppliers: Chinese firms hold 60% of the optical module market and 7 of the top 10 spots globally in 2025. Restructuring will raise costs and delay deliveries for U.S. cloud and AI firms.

2026-09-17

Strategic Sourcing

Cosette Appoints Andrew Adams as VP, Supply Chain & Sourcing

Cosette has appointed Andrew Adams as Vice President of Supply Chain & Sourcing, effective September 10, 2026. The announcement appeared alongside other leadership moves reported by PharmaLive that same day, including appointments at EVERSANA and GBI Bio. PharmaLive’s historical coverage of pharmaceutical supply chain topics dates back to March 9, 2011, and includes analyses of global contract manufacturing, drug delivery systems, and OTC market outlooks. The appointment reflects ongoing industry emphasis on sourcing strategy and operational resilience.

2026-09-12

Strategic Sourcing

90% of Brands’ Garments Contain Prohibited Cotton Despite Traceability

A new Oritain report reveals a sharp reversal in cotton supply chain integrity: 90% of brands analysed had at least one garment containing cotton consistent with prohibited sources — despite high traceability investment. Consumer trust in sustainability claims has collapsed to just 3%, while 55% doubt leather authenticity due to opaque multi-jurisdictional processing. Regulatory pressure is mounting, with the EU Forced Labour Regulation taking full effect December 20, 2027. Forensic physical verification — not documentation alone — is now essential, as Oritain’s ecosystem of 1,800+ global partners demonstrates.

2026-09-09

Strategic Sourcing

Texmaco Rail inks $135M locomotive contract with Tsiko Africa

Texmaco Rail & Engineering has secured a $135 million (₹1,300 crore) international contract from Tsiko Africa Logistics and Barberry Holdings to supply 4,500 HP diesel-electric locomotives, with execution due within 20–24 months. The deal boosts its order book — which stood at ₹5,661 crore as of December 31, 2025 — alongside a ₹4,045 crore export order from May 2026. Texmaco is establishing its first overseas plant in South Africa with a ₹200–300 crore Phase 1 investment and recently restructured Texmaco Defence Technologies with a ₹200 crore infusion for a 30% stake.

2026-09-03

Strategic Sourcing

52% of Procurement Teams Adopt ‘Skimpflation’ Amid Rising Material Costs

A report from Supply Chain Xchange Staff, published August 28, 2026, finds that 52% of 800 surveyed procurement professionals are adopting 'skimpflation'—substituting lower-cost or lower-specification components—to counter rising direct-material costs. Eighty percent observed at least one specification reduction in the past year, while only 2% increased specifications. The practice, first labeled in 2021, is now pervasive across industrial supply chains. Experts warn it may undermine product reliability and long-term cost control despite short-term margin protection.

2026-09-02

Strategic Sourcing

Himachal Apple Growers Demand Probe into MIS Irregularities

The Himachal Apple Growers Association has demanded a probe into alleged irregularities in apple procurement under India’s Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), citing possible collusion by officials from HPMC and Himfed. Sanjay Chauhan, a state committee member, said the Horticulture Minister confirmed the lapses in the Legislative Assembly. The group urged recovery of exchequer losses and restoration of MIS funding to Rs 1,500 crore. Meanwhile, Adani Agri Fresh Limited announced seasonal procurement rates ranging from Rs 20/kg for undersized apples to Rs 108/kg for premium fruit with 80–100% colour.

2026-09-01

Strategic Sourcing

Adani Agri Fresh raises apple procurement rates to Rs 108/kg in Himachal Pradesh

Adani Agri Fresh has raised apple procurement prices effective August 31, 2026, across Himachal Pradesh centres. Premium LMS apples now fetch Rs 108/kg — up Rs 23 from Rs 85/kg last year. Supreme Grade LMS apples command Rs 80/kg, while lower-colour and undersized categories range from Rs 26/kg to Rs 20/kg. Meanwhile, open-market rates of Rs 175–200/kg (Rs 3,500–4,000 per 20-kg box) are drawing growers away from AAFL’s channels despite the hike.

2026-08-31

Strategic Sourcing

Sitharaman, Mondelez COO discuss India manufacturing expansion in Chicago

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Mondelez COO Luca Zaramella in Chicago on August 29, 2026, to discuss expanding manufacturing, sourcing, and exports from India. The talks occurred during Sitharaman’s official nine-day visit to Canada and the US (August 25–September 2, 2026), with the US leg starting August 28. Mondelez’s India portfolio includes Cadbury, Oreo, and Bournvita. While no specific investment figure or new plant was announced, the dialogue signals intent to scale operations and integrate India more deeply into Mondelez’s global supply chain.

2026-08-30

Strategic Sourcing

DHL Inks 3-Year SAS Ground Handling Deal at Manchester

DHL Supply Chain has secured a three-year ground handling contract with SAS Scandinavian Airlines at Manchester Airport, supporting up to five daily flights. The operation was mobilized in 30 days while maintaining service continuity. DHL has served easyJet at Manchester since 2019 and at London Gatwick since 2017; it added Air France at Gatwick earlier in 2026. SAS views Manchester as a strategic UK gateway linking passengers to Scandinavia and its broader international network.

2026-08-26