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Costain cuts suppliers_3


Construction firm Costain will cut its supplier base, including subcontractors and material companies, from 8,000 to around 800 in an effort to improve margins. Chief executive John Armitt said contracts of £2 million or more were considered best for returns.
Christmas quiz winners_3


Congratulations to Simon Bond, senior procurement specialist at British Energy, who has won the SM Christmas quiz. He wins £250 in vouchers to spend on adventure or other activities organised by Red Letter Days, courtesy of BT Ignite.
Datastream rejects bid_3


Asset lifecycle management solutions provider Datastream Systems has rejected a takeover bid from MRO Software. Datastream said the $6 per share offer was too low and that MRO’s common stock was too volatile for its shareholders. www.datastream.net
Consultant tips issued_3
The Treasury has issued a statement of best practice, in an effort to improve relations with management consultancies during procurement processes.

The 10-page booklet, produced in association with the Management Consultancies Association and the Institute of Management Consultancy, offers guidelines on pre-qualification, tendering, contract awarding and post-project reviews.
Car makers collaborate_3


Purchasing, finance and logistics at Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin are to be overseen by a joint strategy board led by Bob Dover, chief executive of Land Rover. Land Rover is also to invest £2.5 billion over five years in development and manufacture, including a new Land Rover Discovery to be launched in 2004.
High-tech aim for Baan_3
Competition Commission_3


Car makers’ share plan_3


French car maker Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan are to assemble two million cars a year on a jointly developed platform to save purchasing and development costs by sharing components.
Defence website online_3


A one-stop portal for the global defence industry, which aims to get 50,000 registrations in the first year, has been launched.
Neta training launched_3


Training courses to help utility buyers understand the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (Neta) have been set up by energy markets consultancy Ilex. The course covers the basic principles, rules and regulations of the energy markets together with the expected impact of Neta. It comes into force on 27 March and is expected to produce a 10 per cent fall in electricity prices.
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