Daniel Studdard

Special Guest Blog Post written by Bernadine Henderson Ms. Henderson, senior director of procurement at Protolabs, lifts the lid on buying in manufacturing and why relationships are central to it.   Simply put, the job of a buyer is really about buying the right thing at the right time for the right price. It sounds simple, but it really is very complicated because everything that’s going on in the world impacts the timing, the availability, and the price of the product. This means that buying has recently got a lot more complicated. World events have very real consequences on global supply chains. Just one example is the way in which buyers have responded to tariffs in the U.S. by re-routing sourcing locations. It takes a certain amount of agility to be a buyer in 2025, and this quick responsiveness is helped along by one key ingredient, and that is strong relationships with suppliers. Relationships Built on Trust A widely held misconception is that buyers are only interested in getting to the lowest price possible. In fact, the most important thing to a buyer is for suppliers to bring solutions that deliver overall value. In my experience, a really strong supplier…

Leveraging ERM to navigate emerging tariffs and supply chain risks With recent tariff hikes and geopolitical shifts, supply chain risks are more urgent than ever. 63% of businesses reported higher-than-expected supply chain losses despite increased risk management efforts in recent years. Leveraging ERM to navigate emerging tariffs and supply chain risks explores the distinct challenges of a stressed global market and shows how ERM can enhance efforts in identifying, escalating, and responding to emerging supply chain threats.   Key areas explored in the guide:   Supply chain risks affected by increased tariffs. Why engaging ERM to address supply chain risks is crucial. 8 proactive strategies for addressing emerging supply chain risks.   Ready to start engaging ERM to respond to emerging supply chain risks with agility and speed?   Download the free guide now