by Mary Ruth Williamson, CEO | Jun 11, 2026 | Featured, News
For the past several months, procurement teams have been fixated on a single question: What happens next in the Strait of Hormuz? It’s a fair question. The conflict has disrupted energy markets, freight routes, commodity pricing, and supplier planning across...
by Mary Ruth Williamson, CEO | Jun 9, 2026 | Capability Building
Most mid-market procurement organizations weren’t designed. They accumulated. A plant needed a buyer, so they hired one. Another facility grew its own supplier relationships. Purchasing responsibilities expanded as the company added headcount and facilities, but...
by Mary Ruth Williamson, CEO | Jun 3, 2026 | Capability Building
Most plant buyers are excellent at their jobs. They know their suppliers, they understand production schedules, and they’ve developed the instincts to solve problems fast under real operational pressure. What many of them were never taught is how to be strategic...
by Mary Ruth Williamson, CEO | May 29, 2026 | Featured, News
Over the weekend, President Trump posted that a deal with Iran is “largely negotiated” and would be announced shortly. Oil markets reacted immediately, with Brent crude falling as much as 5% to around $98. But within hours, the signal became less clear. Iranian state...
by Mary Ruth Williamson, CEO | May 27, 2026 | Capability Building
Most mid-market manufacturers engaged in procurement capability building have experienced some version of this patter: A sourcing initiative delivers real savings. Suppliers get renegotiated. Costs come down. The organization celebrates. And then, over the next 12 to...
