Purchase departments play a vital role in thenew product development (NPD) and launch process, so it's amazing that this important role is never acknowledged. Its contribution is only recognised when problems are encountered and things go wrong.When asked for comment, several senior personnel involved in the purchase process agreed with the above statement. They bemoan the fact that purchase is considered a secondary service and only involved in the R&D and NPD process when it is completed. They are then given details of the raw materials and their suppliers when they start preparing for pilot and production stages.
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