Purchasing magazine says it got an overwhelming response from readers to a recent survey on their role in the maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) buy. Of the purchasing professionals who responded to the poll, 88 percent say the buy is more strategic today than it was five years ago, and they provide evidence--success stories--to back up the statement.
Results of the survey show MRO purchasers have slashed the supply base and formed closer relationships with a smaller number of key suppliers. They've embraced technology for the procure-to-pay process; buyers at plant sites are placing orders directly with suppliers with which the company has national or regional contracts, often using online catalogs. For their part, MRO suppliers provide technical assistance to the plants, bringing in their suppliers (the manufacturers), when help with such activities as product substitution and demand management is needed.
Source: Purchasing, http://www.purchasing.com