World Cup purchasing irregularities exposed - Download Report

World Cup purchasing irregularities.jpgThe 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'. Read more...

Posted by Editor at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)

EU economic crisis: SA to increase southern sourcing ties

EU crisis.jpgSouth 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. Read more...

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Focused skills development critical for 2010 and beyond

Skills development 1.JPGThe 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. Read more...

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Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) experienced a third consecutive decline during May

PMI June 2010.jpgThe 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. Read more...

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Africa gearing up for supply chain productivity and operational improvements

Africa_map.jpgThe 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. Read more...

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Eskom - Buying local may mean higher tariffs

Eskom may.jpgEskom’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. Read more...

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Professionalising SCM in Government

Henry Malinga CIPS Conf 2010.JPGGovernment is ushering in a new benchmark for recognising the qualifications of Procurement and Supply Chain practitioners in the public sector in South Africa. Read more...

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SA expert changing the face of African Supply Chain Management

Dr Douglas Boateng.gifSmartProcurement 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. Read more...

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CIPS awards - rewarding the development of a strategic imperative

Alec Erwin CIPS awards.JPGProcurement and Supply Chain Management are the strategic imperatives that will empower South Africa’s economy to remain and become more globally competitive going forward. Read more...

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Commerce Edge appointed as new CIPS Exam Centre in South Africa

CEAapril2010.jpgCIPS 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.

 

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Posted by Editor at 8:30 AM | Comments (0)

IPAP 2: Departmental dispute jeopardises plans to overhaul public procurement

industrialPolicyApril2010.jpgGovernment’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. Read more...

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MTN embarks on far reaching procurement education drive

MTN sign.jpgLeading 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.

 

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New Procurement Credentials Registered with SAQA

SAQA_Logo.gifCIPS qualifications have recently been registered with the South Africa Qualfications Authority (SAQA) and are mapped to unit standards within the National Qualfications Framework (NQF).

 

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Posted by Editor at 5:50 AM | Comments (0)

CIPS Southern Africa becomes representative body for Procurement and Supply Management

CIPS Director of International Development Chris Gallagher, CIPS President Dr Bola Afolabi, IPSA President Karen van Vuuren.JPGIt 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. Read more...

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Coming to your area soon...Roadshow on key procurement trends

CommerceEdge.jpgAccredited 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.

 

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Posted by StaffWriter at 3:11 PM | Comments (0)

IPSA / CIPS Annual Pan African Conference Programme 2009

IPSA1.jpgIn 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.

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Posted by StaffWriter at 8:40 AM | Comments (0)

Finally, first BEE verification agencies accredited

Mandisi Mpahlwa.jpgThe 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). Read more...

Posted by Editor at 8:15 AM | Comments (0)

South African named Chief Operations Officer of global e-Procurement leader

Brandon Spear.jpgAmsterdam & 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. Read more...

Posted by StaffWriter at 9:50 AM | Comments (0)

2008 Annual BEE Conference: BEE Procurement decreases by 20%

EES-Siyakha.pngBEESA 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. Read more...

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Report back on SmartSourcing Conference 2008

SmartSourcing08.pngSmartProcurement 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. Read more...

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Commerce Edge Launches CIPS Academy

CIPS.jpgDue 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.  Read more...

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IPSA Western Cape Breakfast: "Procurement is the Profit Machine!"

Kraai van Kraayenburg.JPGSmartProcurement 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. Read more...

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2008 Salary Survey Results Published

bernie van niekerk.jpgThe 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. Read more...

Posted by Editor at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)

The 30th Annual SAPICS Conference 2008

SAPICS.jpgOur 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. Read more...

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First Annual IPSA Pan African Procurement Awards

IPSA Award Winners.JPGThe 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.

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Posted by Editor at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)

Imperial Logistics Acquires 50% of supply chain consultancy Volition

Volition Logo.pngImperial 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.

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Posted by StaffWriter at 9:38 AM | Comments (0)

2008 Annual IPSA / CIPS Conference: A SmartProcurement News Report

IPSA 2008 Keynote Speakers.JPGThe 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.

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Posted by Editor at 5:37 AM | Comments (0)

IPSA News - New CEO and The Way Forward

Marius Bosman.jpg"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. Read more...

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Achieving economic and social value through procurement professionalism


Karen van vuuren.JPGResponsibility 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.


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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...

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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:

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Posted by StaffWriter at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

SAPICS 2007 Conference Report Back

GaryBailey.jpg 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...

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A SmartProcurement news report on IPSA / CIPS 2007 Pan African Conference

 

IPSA / CIPS Pan African Congress 2007

 

 (Seated from left to right: Keith Trower (Deputy CEO CIPS), Karen van Vuuren (Chairperon IPSA) and Kraai van Kraaienberg (CEO IPSA)

 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.

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