E-sourcing tools drive deeper supplier involvement. (Newell Rubbermaid).

Purchasing, April, 2003 by Hannon, David

The bar was set pretty high when diverse consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid of Freeport, Ill., implemented its Focus Five initiative to drive supplier improvement and supply chain efficiency. Among the goals set for suppliers in the program were a 5% year-over-year product cost improvement, no more than a 14-day leadtime, 5,000 defective parts per million and a 100% inbound service level from all suppliers.

These standards were aimed at improving the company's bottom line through shorter product development and time-to-market cycles, which are top priorities in the competitive consumer products industry. The $7 billion Newell Rubbermaid is made up of four separate business groups that oversee 26 standalone brands. With such a diversified structure,...

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