FEBRUARY 2010
Welcome to the first By the Buy... of the year and I am sure most of us are happy 2009 is over. Without doubt, it was the most tempestuous year I have known throughout my 25 year buying career but, without being complacent, things look to be picking up and it seems that the economic climate is improving. Our own revenue performance suffered at the start of the year due to the uncertainty of budgets and the economic situation, but as the year developed buyers turned to us in large numbers to help them secure sustainable market prices for the goods and services they needed. Our end of year figures show we grew by 13% during 2009 but this doesn’t tell the whole story, as the growth for the last six months has been 35%. The order book for the first quarter suggests this larger rate will continue and that is all down to you – so thank you all for your support.
Thanks also to everyone who provided feedback on the first By the buy... it seemed to go down well and hopefully you will find this issue just as interesting. For this issue, as well as the usual news round up, we have invited respected industry commentator and blogger Michael Lamoureux of Sourcing Innovation to provide the Perspective. Michael has been covering the procurement sector for a number of years and as we leave the noughties behind us, Michael looks at how far the sector has come in the last decade.
You will also see that we are speaking at a couple of events over the next few months –
eWorld on 24, 25 February and Multimodal in April and it would be fantastic to see you there.
Enjoy By the buy... and enjoy 2010. Thanks again for your support.
Garry Mansell
CEO, Trade Extensions