PMI continues recovery - manufacturing likely to add to Q4 GDP growth
The Kagiso PMI picked up some momentum in November, rising by 1.1 index points to 51.6.November was the fourth consecutive month of gains for the PMI, but the index remains below the level of 54.2 reached before the widespread factory sector strikes in July.
Posted by Editor at 6:20 AM | Comments (0)
Developing ethics and integrity in procurement
The State-Owned Enterprise Procurement Forum (SOEPF) and the Chartered Institute or Purchasing and Supply Southern Africa (CIPS SA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further professionalise the Procurement and Supply Chain profession, and uphold a policy of ethics with honesty and integrity.
Posted by Editor at 6:00 AM | Comments (0)
Community projects - the logistics of growing the future today
The realisation by two Supply Chain and Operations Management organisations that the challenges they face in their profession are not all that different from those faced by South Africa’s disadvantaged on a daily basis inspired them to build 34 houses in a township community.
Posted by Editor at 5:50 AM | Comments (0)
September PMI climbs above 50-index points
The seasonally adjusted Kagiso purchasing managers index (PMI) recorded a second consecutive monthly increase during September, gaining four points to move back above the key 50-index point mark to 50.7, the Kagiso website reports.
Posted by Editor at 9:40 AM | Comments (0)
Supply chain specialist publishes selection of SCM improvement projects
Supply chain specialist, and member company of IMPERIAL Logistics, Volition Consulting Services has published a book with an assortment of supply chain business improvement projects. "The case studies reflected in the book have been documented in such a way to demonstrate the scale of business transformation, and range of benefits that can be achieved by organisations fousing on improving their supply chains, Dean Tebbutt, Managing Director of Volition Consulting Services, told SmartProcurement"
Posted by Editor at 9:00 AM | Comments (0)
2010 strike action costs insurer more than R100m
Business Day reports that strike-related insurance claims worth more than R100-million were lodged with the state-owned special risks insurance company Sasria in 2010.Sasria is South Africa’s only insurer for special risks such as riots, strikes, political and public unrest, civil commotion and labour disturbances.
Posted by Editor at 8:50 AM | Comments (0)
Competence development reigns supreme at procurement awards
Standard Bank was awarded the ‘Best People Development Initiative’ at the CIPS Pan African Procurement Awards last week at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg.
Posted by Editor at 9:40 AM | Comments (0)
IMPERIAL Logistics acquires Commerce Edge - bolsters procurement training capabilities
SmartProcurement’s parent company Commerce Edge, a leading procurement training company, has sold a majority share to Supply chain specialist and member company of IMPERIAL Logistics, Volition.
Posted by Editor at 8:50 AM | Comments (0)
Interim Chief Procurement Officer appointed at troubled State Owned Enterprise
State-owned Broadband Infraco has appointed an interim Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) while the network infrastructure organisation realigns itself after an internal audit revealed serious flaws in its business practices, CEO Dr. Andrew Shaw told SmartProcurement.Ashney Chetty has been acting as CPO since April 18 and will overhaul the SOE's procurement practices, among which is ensuring Infraco complies with the regulations of the PFMA.
Posted by Editor at 3:00 PM | Comments (0)
New companies act - changes to business environment
May 1, 2011 saw the implementation of the new Companies Act of 2008.The promulgation of this Act brings about several fundamental and important changes to South Africa’s laws regarding legal entities.
Posted by Editor at 1:40 PM | Comments (0)
SmartProcurement Editorial board member chairman of CIPS adjudication panel
Dr. Douglas Boateng, SmartProcurement editorial board member and CEO of PanAvest International has been appointed Chairman of the CIPS Pan African Best Practice Procurement and Supply Chain Management Adjudication Panel of experts.
Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
Consumer Protection Act: implications for suppliers
As of April 1, 2011 suppliers in South Africa must comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Braam Botha of management training and consulting firm Arbinger Institute of South Africa tells SmartProcurement about some practical and legal implications of compliance.This article in made available only for information purposes, and is not legal opinion or advice.
Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
Procurement transformation: more than squeezing suppliers' margins
Transferring pressure onto your suppliers’ margins is not sustainable in the long-term. In fact, it is the shortest route to supply disruption as you will risk supplier failure, Duncan Jones, Principal Analyst for Forrester Research, told supply chain leaders at SAP and SmartProcurement’s CPO Forum early in March.
Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
March PMI rises to 13-month high
The seasonally adjusted Kagiso PMI put in a strong performance during March, rising to a 13-month high of 57.2 index points, the Kagiso website reports.The most positive feature of the March numbers is that after rising to just above the key 50 point level in the first two months of 2011, the seasonally adjusted business activity index increased sharply from 51.6 to 59.7 points. The robust rise indicates that March witnessed a ramp-up of manufacturing production, most probably in reaction to previous (sustained in March) indications of improved demand conditions.
Posted by Editor at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
Procurement achievers - On the road to becoming SCM professionals
Commerce Edge Academy (CEA), a registered study centre for the internationally recognised CIPS qualification, is pleased to congratulate students on their achievements during the November CIPS Examiniations.CEA has been assisting students from various business sectors such as IT, Telecomms, Manufacturing and Financial Services to combine after hours studies with their daily occupations.
Posted by Editor at 2:40 PM | Comments (0)
Quadrem celebrates $100-Billion in cumulative spend
Quadrem, the global services provider to the Mining Industry, celebrated a significant corporate achievement when it surpassed $100-billion in cumulative spend ("Throughput").Catherine Hills, Director Buyer Services at Quadrem Africa, together with Graham Yates, who recently joined the management group in Sunninghill, Gauteng as New Business Development Director.
Posted by Editor at 6:30 AM | Comments (0)
Marcus: Commodity inflation risk increasing
Reuters - South Africa faces rising risks to its inflation outlook due to commodity prices, and inflation may move to the upper end of the 3 to 6 percent target range sooner than expected, Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus said.In a speech posted on the Bank's website, Marcus said rising global and domestic prices were likely to pose a challenge to monetary policy in the coming months. She reiterated that the likelihood of further loosening was limited.
Posted by Editor at 5:50 AM | Comments (0)
52.9 - Kagiso PMI for November 2010 bounces back
The business activity index, which already moved higher in October following strike-induced declines during August and September, posted a robust gain of 6.1 index points to reach 54.8 in November. One has to go back to 2010Q1 to find the index at a higher level. reports the Kagiso website.
Posted by Editor at 1:50 AM | Comments (0)
Ariba to acquire Quadrem
The global business commerce solutions provider will acquire Quadrem, the privately-held provider of one of the world's largest supply networks and on-demand supply management solutions.With the acquisition of Quadrem, Ariba further expands the depth and breadth of the Ariba Network, its web-based trading community.
Posted by Editor at 1:26 AM | Comments (0)
South Africa still hanging in there on the corruption index
The world continues to suffer from the disease of corruption. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 just published by Transparency International (TI) last week measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 178 countries in the world.
Posted by Editor at 4:40 AM | Comments (0)
Electric vehicle could spell the end of large portions of the auto supply chain
Posted by Editor at 12:50 AM | Comments (0)
Estimated $415-billion overspend for 2010
Posted by Editor at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)
World Cup purchasing irregularities exposed - Download Report
The transparency of purchasing procedures for the FIFA World Cup has once again come under scrutiny. South Africa’s Institute for Sec urity Studies has published its concerns over stadia building and bidding practices in 'Pla yer and Referee: Conflicting Interests and the 2010 FIFA World Cup'.
Posted by Editor at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
EU economic crisis: SA to increase southern sourcing ties
South African organisations could soon be sourcing more goods from southern hemisphere countries, taking advantage of the south’s trade possibilities during Europe’s economic crisis.
Posted by Editor at 12:04 AM | Comments (0)
Focused skills development critical for 2010 and beyond
The need for focused skills development that enables South Africa to increase its competitiveness is critical, Deon Greyling, managing director of BTS South Africa, tells SmartProcurement.
Posted by Editor at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) experienced a third consecutive decline during May
The seasonally adjusted Kagiso PMI experienced a third consecutive decline during May, falling by another 4.1 index points to reach 51.1. The Kagiso website reports that while the level of the index continues to indicate that the factory sector is expanding, the latest reading is the most declined since November 2009 and suggests that the pace of manufacturing production has eased in recent months.
Posted by Editor at 6:20 AM | Comments (0)
Africa gearing up for supply chain productivity and operational improvements
The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) in the United Kingdom has added IOM Africa to its growing regional network, under the presidency of SmartProcurement editorial board member Douglas Boateng.
Posted by Editor at 6:10 AM | Comments (0)
Eskom - Buying local may mean higher tariffs
Eskom’s huge procurement programme has great potential to stimulate local industry, however, the state-owned utility has warned that this comes at a price - higher electricity tariffs.
Posted by Editor at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)
Professionalising SCM in Government
Government is ushering in a new benchmark for recognising the qualifications of Procurement and Supply Chain practitioners in the public sector in South Africa.
Posted by Editor at 9:55 AM | Comments (0)
SA expert changing the face of African Supply Chain Management
SmartProcurement editorial board member Dr. Douglas Boateng has been elected president of the first supply chain management (SCM) centre of excellence in West Africa, of which he also a founder.
Posted by Editor at 9:20 AM | Comments (0)
CIPS awards - rewarding the development of a strategic imperative
Procurement and Supply Chain Management are the strategic imperatives that will empower South Africa’s economy to remain and become more globally competitive going forward.
Posted by Editor at 9:00 AM | Comments (0)
Commerce Edge appointed as new CIPS Exam Centre in South Africa
CIPS students throughout Southern Africa can now sit their CIPS exams at Commerce Edge Academy’s (CEA's) exam centre, Andrew Hillman, Director of CEA, tells SmartProcurement.
Posted by Editor at 8:30 AM | Comments (0)
IPAP 2: Departmental dispute jeopardises plans to overhaul public procurement
Government’s plans to bolster the domestic economy through procurement reform as set out in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2) are in danger because the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Treasury reportedly disagree on the scope the proposals should have.
Posted by Editor at 7:40 AM | Comments (0)
MTN embarks on far reaching procurement education drive
Leading cellular network provider MTN, has embarked on a 3-year programme to elevate the status of its procurement organisation across the group by ensuring that all its company procurement practitioners achieve an internationally recognised procurement qualification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). The programme will be delivered by leading procurement education and training organisation Commerce Edge Academy (CEA), a registered CIPS international study centre.
Posted by Editor at 5:55 AM | Comments (0)
New Procurement Credentials Registered with SAQA
CIPS qualifications have recently been registered with the South Africa Qualfications Authority (SAQA) and are mapped to unit standards within the National Qualfications Framework (NQF).
Posted by Editor at 5:50 AM | Comments (0)
CIPS Southern Africa becomes representative body for Procurement and Supply Management
It is a reality. A successful four-year affiliation between IPSA and CIPS has finally paid-off. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Southern Africa (CIPS SA) is now the official representative body for the Procurement profession in South Africa.
Posted by Editor at 5:30 AM | Comments (0)
Coming to your area soon...Roadshow on key procurement trends
Accredited Training Provider Commerce Edge is running a series of complimentary countrywide public forums to inform procurement leaders on the latest trends relating to, and the criteria within, ‘World Class Procurement’ organisations.
Posted by StaffWriter at 3:11 PM | Comments (0)
IPSA / CIPS Annual Pan African Conference Programme 2009
In April, SmartProcurement brought you the key speakers for the 2009 Annual Pan African Conference.This month, the Institute of Purchasing and Supply SA (IPSA) and CIPS has taken the opportunity to update the programme information for the 2009 Annual Pan African Conference, which will take place on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27.
Posted by StaffWriter at 8:40 AM | Comments (0)
Finally, first BEE verification agencies accredited
The Association of BEE Verification Agencies (ABVA) has welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa, in terms of verification agencies that have completed the accreditation process conducted by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Posted by Editor at 8:15 AM | Comments (0)
South African named Chief Operations Officer of global e-Procurement leader
Amsterdam & Dallas – Quadrem, a global provider of supply management solutions, has promoted Brandon Spear to Chief Operations Officer. In his new role, Spear will continue to oversee Quadrem’s operations for eight regional offices on six continents. Additionally, Spear will lead Quadrem’s research and development team as they build next-generation systems to enable customers to operate reliable, efficient supply chains.
Posted by StaffWriter at 9:50 AM | Comments (0)
2008 Annual BEE Conference: BEE Procurement decreases by 20%
BEESA Consulting and EES-Siyakha hosted their second annual Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Conference on the 11th, 12th and 13th of November 2008 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg. More than 80 delegates from both the private and public sectors attended the event in order to get to grips with the rapidly shifting South African empowerment landscape. And the message was clear: Transformation is a process, not an event.
Posted by Editor at 8:10 AM | Comments (0)
Report back on SmartSourcing Conference 2008
SmartProcurement hosted its 2nd annual SmartSourcing Conference on the 7th and 8th of October 2008 at the Irene Country Lodge in Centurion, Pretoria. This two-day event, sponsored by Purchasing Index, Tech-Pro Personnel, Commerce Edge Procurement Training, Volition, IPSA, BEESA Boxsmart and EES-Siyakha, attracted more than 100 local and international delegates from all corners of Procurement and Supply Chain Management (SCM) in both the private and public sectors.
Posted by Editor at 3:03 PM | Comments (0)
Commerce Edge Launches CIPS Academy
Due to increased and widespread demand for accredited procurement and supply management qualifications, Commerce Edge, a world-class procurement training provider, has announced that it is launching a CIPS academy. Commencing in January 2009, individuals can start studying on a part-time basis (Saturdays) for a qualification of their choice.
Posted by Editor at 2:55 PM | Comments (0)
IPSA Western Cape Breakfast: "Procurement is the Profit Machine!"
SmartProcurement recently attended the Institute of Purchasing and Supply South Africa's (IPSA) breakfast meeting on the 13th of August 2008 as held at the Hotel School in Granger Bay, Cape Town. Kraai van Kraayenburg, IPSA's Business and Training Development Manager, started the proceedings by welcoming guests to the event.
Posted by Editor at 7:00 AM | Comments (0)
2008 Salary Survey Results Published
The results of the SmartProcurement 2008 Salary Survey has been finalised and some very interesting results have come to light. "The survey strongly confirms the global trend that the procurement function is on the rise within organisations", says Bernie van Niekerk, Editor of SmartProcurement. 522 Procurement professionals completed the survey. The top responding industry sectors were Manufacturing, Mining, the Public Sector, Construction and Finance.
Posted by Editor at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
The 30th Annual SAPICS Conference 2008
Our congratulations go to Mr Ken Titmuss, the South African Production & Inventory Control Society's (SAPICS) President, and his team on once again staging what they claim to be 'The Leading Event in Africa for Supply Chain Professionals'. Over 1200 delegates arrived to take part in 12 workshops, listen to 60 speakers (many of them international) visit the stands of 40 exhibitors and generally contribute to an exceptional annual supply chain outing at Sun City.
Posted by Editor at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
First Annual IPSA Pan African Procurement Awards
The first annual IPSA Procurement Awards ceremony (Pictured left. click to enlarge) was hosted at the Emperors Convention Centre on the evening of 19 May 2008. This prestigious event, the first of its kind in Africa, proved to be a huge success within the history of the Southern African Procurement and Supply Chain Management environments and was attended by 150 people from 10 different countries. Posted by Editor at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
Imperial Logistics Acquires 50% of supply chain consultancy Volition
Imperial Logistics and Volition Consulting Services (Volition) announced that Imperial Logistics will acquire 50% of Volition with effect from 1 July 2008, subject to approval from the Competitions Authority. Imperial Logistics and Volition will aim to improve their service offering whilst further increasing their footprint in the logistics and supply chain industry.Posted by StaffWriter at 9:38 AM | Comments (0)
2008 Annual IPSA / CIPS Conference: A SmartProcurement News Report
The Institute of Purchasing and Supply South Africa (IPSA) and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) hosted their 4th annual conference on the 20th and 21st of May 2008 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.Posted by Editor at 5:37 AM | Comments (0)
IPSA News - New CEO and The Way Forward
"The Institute for Purchasing and Supply (IPSA) has been growing from strength to strength over the last number of years and is continuously improving its capacity in terms of service offerings to the extent that it had to increase infrastructure and resources to accommodate the recent growth" IPSA CEO, Marius Bosman, told Smart Procurement.
Posted by Editor at 8:09 AM | Comments (0)
Achieving economic and social value through procurement professionalism
Responsibility for economic and social transformation of the country also lies in the hands of the Procurement profession. While the emphasis on social transformation through BEE procurement has been well documented, the macro economic impact of public sector procurement practices was clearly illustrated by Karen van Vuuren, CPO of Transnet and President of IPSA at the recent SmartSourcing 2007 Conference.Posted by StaffWriter at 3:17 PM | Comments (0)
Report back on SmartSourcing 2007 Conference
SmartProcurement, has always held the view that what the procurement and supply fraternity in SA genuinely needed, was an annual forum at which to gather and exchange thoughts on best strategic sourcing practices in key commodity groups. The Smart Sourcing Conference 2007 has come and gone and, it has made a permanent, positive mark on the P & SM landscape. Speakers included Henry Malinga, Mike Hughes, Anthea Saunders, Karen van Vuuren, Ian Russel, Bernie van Niekerk, Roddy Mann, Pieter Henning, Billy Bell, Alan Low, Natie Bekker, James Yates, Cobus Rossouw Paul Vermaak, Thys Goosen, Elaine Porteous and Kraai van Kraaienberg...Posted by StaffWriter at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
The FSCMA - Umbrella Body for Supply Chain Management Organisations formed
The Institute of Purchasing and Supply South Africa (IPSA) is a founding member of the UMBRELLA ORGANISATION FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS
Various professional associations and societies representing individuals and companies in the Supply Chain Management environment signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") to establish the Federation for Supply Chain Management Associations ("FSCMA"). According to the MOU, the "purpose of the FSCMA" is:
Posted by StaffWriter at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)
SAPICS 2007 Conference Report Back
THE SAPICS 2007 Conference and exhibition ATTRACTED A RECORD ATTENDANCE OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES together with a powerhouse of commercial support. Hot on the heals of the highly successful IPSA Pan African conference, this year’s SAPICS Conference & Exhibition for supply chain and operations management professionals, "packed them in" earlier in June at Sun City...
Posted by StaffWriter at 1:10 PM | Comments (0)
A SmartProcurement news report on IPSA / CIPS 2007 Pan African Conference
The Institute of Procurement & Supply of South Africa (IPSA) and the Chartered Inistitute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) hosted and facilitated a global convergence of top minds at its 2007 Pan African Conference held in Gauteng, South Africa on the 15th + 16th May 2007.
Posted by bernievn at 7:50 PM | Comments (1)
