The global economy is contracting, capacity cutbacks and consolidations are in play, raw material prices are rapidly fluctuating, price and supply outlooks are uncertain for crude oil and natural gas and recovery forecasts are disjointed for the North American economy and chemicals marketplace. Upshot: The purchasing function is a critically important corporate player in 2009 as manufacturing labors to manage through the recession. 
 

Most chemical sectors will show a downward trend and experience a more severe decline in 2009 compared with 2008. Chemical producers are temporarily idling plants to ride out drops in demand. But the longer the idling, the more chance producers will decide that a plant is no longer economical to operate or to justify new investment.

 

So, the best way for purchasing professionals to do their job is to stay informed - especially in this era of mergers, acquisitions and strategic corporate developments by a supply base struggling to stay afloat.

Key topics at the 2nd Chemical Purchasing Summit will include:

 

When will North American manufacturing rebound?

Where are energy and raw materials supply and pricing headed?

When will robust growth in petrochemicals use return?

Where is production capacity heading?

What happened to speedy delivery of needed materials?

How to emerge as a buying champion in tumultuous times.,

Can producers implement new environmental regulations without disrupting supply?