Search Page | Page 4817

American Express is set to relaunch its smart credit card in Europe this summer and be the first to give away free card readers to guarantee online security. The move is part of an assault on the charge-card market and could include the extension of the firm’s new corporate purchasing card, currently available only in the UK, Panama and Puerto Rico.

Online services still limited_3

The US, Canada, Australia and Singapore are the most advanced countries in putting government services online, according to a 20-country survey by Andersen Consulting. But these countries have less than 20 per cent of their services online and the US is likely to miss its target of having 500 essential government services online by October.

Pilkington pushes online plan_3

Glass manufacturer Pilkington plans to put its sales and purchasing online by the end of the year in bid to meet its target of conducting all transactions electronically by 2003. The company is seeking to achieve savings of around £100 million a year on its annual £1 billion procurement spend.

Nissan seeks supplier savings_3

Nissan has launched a review of its supplier and dealer relationships in Europe. The move follows the acquisition of a 36.8 per cent stake in the group by Renault of France earlier this year. Nissan has already set an internal cost-cutting target of 5-10 per cent in purchasing and components spending.

New model expands ‘milk round’_3

Nissan Motors UK is set to expand its “milk round” collection of components from suppliers for its new Almera model.

Collection now includes 92 suppliers and this will rise to 105 by January 2000 when Almera production starts at its Sunderland plant. The Ryder Logistics scheme for long-distance collection will take in the added 13 suppliers.

Trademarks no price guarantee_3

Manufacturers should not be able to dictate how their trademarked goods are imported into Europe, the government believes. Giving evidence to the trade and industry select committee on “grey imports”, Kim Howells, consumer affairs minister, said it was “almost impossible to justify to consumers the differences in prices between the UK and abroad”.

Amec seeks strategic partners_3

Construction giant Amec has unveiled plans for a system of strategic supplier alliances. The company is seeking 20 new partners in a move away from traditional site procurement. It will invite selected suppliers to pre-qualify against 14 key requirements shortly.

(Sparring) partners preferred_3

Tony Purton airs his doubts about how successful the MoD's partnering drive will be

Agency seeks longer-term gains_3

The Environment Agency (EA) has started work on a scheme to tender contracts for construction consultants in the largest-ever national framework agreement scheme in the public sector.

Joint ventures for outsourcing_3

Q: I know quite a lot about outsourcing, but someone has suggested my company considers forming a joint venture as a solution to one of our current projects. What are the pros and cons of joint ventures (JVs)?