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Issue #13 · 25th February 2025 Web version

📎 The Procurement Space Weekly

🔍 Glossary Glow-Up: Direct Procurement Unpacked -  Procurement jargon—necessary, but painful. We're on a mission to cut through the noise, starting with *Direct Procurement*. Our glossary is still a bit lean (think budget cuts in Q4), but we’re updating it bit by bit. Got an acronym or term that’s got you stumped? Let us know, and we’ll break it down!

The Procurement Space Team


📰 Procurement News

🚗 Pure vs. Hybrid EV Makers: Strategies for Market Leadership -  The electric vehicle (EV) market is witnessing a strategic divergence between pure EV manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian, and traditional automakers such as Toyota and Ford, who are focusing on hybrid models. Pure EV companies are setting benchmarks in innovation and sustainability, while hybrid producers leverage existing technologies to offer consumers transitional options. Success in this evolving landscape requires a nuanced understanding of consumer preferences, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory environments.

Supply Chain Management Review

🌍 The Return of the Multinational: Procurement's New Groove -  Guess who's back? Multinational corporations are making a comeback as globalisation takes a backseat. In this shifting landscape, procurement leaders must adapt to regional strategies, embracing localised operations to stay ahead. It's time to dust off those playbooks and get in sync with the new rhythm of international business.

David Rae

Digital transformation:

📈 The Ultimate Guide to AI ROI: Beating the Market with AI -  Remember when Warren Buffett bet that a simple index fund would outperform hedge funds over a decade? He won. Zero100 applies that same thinking to AI in supply chains—early, strategic investment beats flashy but short-term gains. With only 25% of supply chain leaders seeing real AI value, this guide lays out the winning strategy: holistic adoption, competitive positioning, talent investment, trust-building, and smart data management. Play the long game, and AI will deliver.

Zero100 Research Team

🆔 UK Veterans Digital ID Cards: A Procurement Perspective -  The rollout of Digital Veteran ID Cards highlights the complexities of government procurement—balancing security, compliance, and vendor selection. With GDPR and Secure by Design principles in focus, this initiative showcases how digital transformation in procurement can streamline public services while maintaining data protection.

UK Defence Journal

🤝 Saudi AI Firm nybl Partners with NOV to Transform Oil and Gas Operations -  Saudi Arabia's artificial intelligence company, nybl, has entered into a strategic partnership with National Oilwell Varco (NOV) to revolutionize oil and gas operations. This collaboration aims to integrate nybl's advanced AI solutions into NOV's industry-leading technologies, enhancing operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making in the energy sector. The alliance signifies a pivotal step in nybl's growth strategy, focusing on delivering innovative AI offerings tailored for the oil and gas industry.

Arabian Business

🖨️ The Future of Print: Embracing Digital Transformation -  The print industry is undergoing a significant shift towards digitalization. This transformation is driven by the need for increased efficiency, customization, and integration with modern technologies. By adopting digital solutions, print businesses can enhance their operations, offer personalized services, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

INKISH News

Mergers & Acquisition:

🔗 Saipem and Subsea7 Announce Merger to Form Saipem7 -  Italian engineering firm Saipem and Norwegian company Subsea7 have agreed to merge, creating a leading European energy services provider named Saipem7. The all-share deal will result in a combined order backlog of €43 billion, annual revenues of approximately €20 billion, and core earnings exceeding €2 billion. Shareholders of both companies will each own 50% of the new entity. The merger is expected to generate annual cost savings of around €300 million from the third year post-completion, achieved through fleet optimization and unified procurement. Subsea7 shareholders will receive 6.688 Saipem shares per Subsea7 share and a €450 million extraordinary dividend before the deal closes. Saipem CEO Alessandro Puliti will lead the combined company, while Subsea7 CEO John Evans will oversee offshore operations.

Renewables Now

Risk Management:

🌐 The Supply Chain Pressures Keeping CEOs Up at Night -  CEOs are increasingly concerned about supply chain fragility, especially regarding energy transition goals. Aggreko's recent report highlights that UK business leaders view supply chain vulnerabilities as the top risk to achieving net-zero targets, surpassing investment shortages and technology access. The report advocates for stronger partnerships and innovative approaches to enhance supply chain resilience and align sustainability with profitability.

Procurement Magazine

Cost Management:

💡 Unlocking Double-Digit Savings with Zero-Based Strategies -  In today's economic climate, traditional cost-cutting methods fall short. Jeremy Smith of 4C Associates and Naresh Kumar advocate for Zero-Based Everything (ZBX) and Zero-Based Spend (ZBS) approaches. By justifying every expense from the ground up, businesses can achieve procurement savings up to 50% and overall cost reductions between 10-25% within 10-12 weeks. This method fosters a leaner, more agile organisation, aligning spending with strategic priorities.

Consultancy.uk

In Brief:

📚 Zero100 Research: The Latest Insights -  From AI ROI to supply chain reinvention, Zero100's latest research dives into the biggest challenges and opportunities in procurement and supply chain. Stay ahead with data-driven strategies and expert perspectives.

Zero100 Research Team

📊 Collective Procurement Management: Rising Trends and Market Leaders -  The global Collective Procurement Management market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the need for cost efficiency and streamlined operations. Key players such as SAP Ariba, Coupa Software, and Oracle Corporation are leading the charge, offering solutions that cater to various sectors including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and IT. The market is segmented into direct and indirect procurement types, with a focus on enhancing supply chain resilience and transparency.

WMR

Events:

🌐 Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Dubai 2025: Virtual Conference -  Join industry leaders on 29th April 2025 for a one-day virtual event dedicated to procurement and supply chain excellence in the Middle East and Africa. Engage with C-level executives through keynotes, panels, and networking sessions, focusing on resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers across the region.

Supply Chain Digital


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Curated by Jade Wigmore

📎 The Procurement Space ltd