Q: Why is there a shortage of quality procurement people when recruiting and what can we do about it?
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Eight trade associations have formed an alliance to voice cross-sector manufacturing industry concerns. The Engineering and Machinery Alliance will represent engineering, production machinery, components and tooling manufacturing bodies. Member associations include the British Plastics Federation and the Metal Trades Confederation.
Financial services companies are expected to cut staff and investment this year, especially in IT and marketing.
Philip Fletcher, director-general of water regulator Ofwat, has urged the UK government to speed up legislation to promote competition and publish a study on the topic that was completed last year. The government promised separate legislation after clauses relating to water were dropped from the Utilities Act 2000.
Business-to-business solutions vendor Ironside Technologies has added advanced collaboration to its Vendor Management Suite. The solution will help vendors with inventory inquiries, planning, processing and forecasting. www.ironside.com
Automotive e-marketplace Covisint has implemented a formal messaging protocol to standardise communication between trading partners. Messages will now be sent using the ebXML messaging service and documents will use the Open Application Group’s OAGIS standards. www.covisint.com
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The Ministry of Defence has rejected short-range air-to-air missiles supplied by Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD) and demanded design changes to improve performance levels. Although MBD will face no penalties, the MoD says the proposed redesigns could take several years.
The Federal Trade Commission in the US has given the green light to Covisint, the online trading exchange set up by Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler.