Welcome to Procurement News, part of our ongoing aggregate news series covering recent supply management headlines and trends pertinent to Chief Procurement Officers and other procurement leaders! Contact us with your news story here.
Procurement Executive News
X-energy Reactor Company Appoints Jesse B. Walker to VP, CSCO
ROCKVILLE, Md. — X-energy Reactor Company, LLC, a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation, announced the appointment of Jesse B. Walker as vice president, chief supply chain officer.
An accomplished executive with extensive experience in aerospace supply chain management and operations, the company stated that Walker brings over two decades of proven leadership in strategic sourcing, production efficiency, and supplier relationship management to support X-energy’s growth and commercialization efforts.
According to J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, “Jesse’s exceptional background in global supply chain strategy and program management will be a critical asset as we work to deploy our Xe-100 and TRISO-X technology at scale,” he said.
“His demonstrated ability to drive performance and cost efficiencies while strengthening strategic partnerships with suppliers will be instrumental in advancing our mission to deliver clean, reliable, and secure energy solutions to a diverse range of customers around the globe.”
Read the full announcement here.
Shaun Bunch Named CSCO for Lapari Foods
WARREN, Mich. — Lipari Foods, a specialty food distributor, named Shaun Bunch for its newly created role of chief supply chain officer. As reported in Progressive Grocer, Bunch will lead the company’s supply chain operations and advance its growth initiatives.
Bunch joins Lipari Foods from Northern Tool + Equipment, where he was chief supply chain and retail officer. He also had previous roles with Amazon, Ashley Furniture, and Sleep Number. Bunch has extensive experience in manufacturing, sourcing, demand and inventory planning, distribution, fulfillment, and more.
According to Stuart Schuette, CEO for Lipari, “We are excited to welcome Shaun to the Lipari team,” he said. “His strategic insight, deep operational expertise, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision. Shaun will play a critical role in optimizing our supply chain and enhancing our value to customers.”
Read the full announcement here.
Trang Vu Joins iLOQ as CSCO
OULU, Finland — iLOQ, a company specializing in battery-free, self-powered digital access management systems, announced the appointment of Trang Vu as chief supply chain officer (CSCO) and member of the iLOQ Leadership team.
In her new role, Trang Vu will be responsible for leading iLOQ’s global supply chain operations in line with the company’s strategic objectives. She will oversee sourcing, logistics, warehousing, and distribution, with a strong focus on operational efficiency, agility, and scalability. In addition, she will be in charge of New Product Introduction (NPI) manufacturing processes, supplier quality, and risk management across the supply chain.
The company stated that Trang brings deep expertise and strong leadership to the role, and her appointment supports iLOQ’s continued growth and operational excellence globally.
Read the full announcement here.
Supply Management News
Manufacturing PMI Registers 48.5% — With Contraction Throughout the Sector
TEMPE, Ariz. — In the coming months, the full impact of tariffs on production does not bode well when inventories are depleted and there is nothing to produce, said Susan Spence, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.
The latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®, issued by Spence, revealed continued economic contraction in May for the third consecutive month.
According to Spence, “The Manufacturing PMI® registered 48.5 percent in May, 0.2 percentage point lower compared to the 48.7 percent recorded in April. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 61st month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.)
“The New Orders Index contracted for the fourth month in a row following a three-month period of expansion; the figure of 47.6 percent is 0.4 percentage point higher than the 47.2 percent recorded in April. The May reading of the Production Index (45.4 percent) is 1.4 percentage points higher than April’s figure of 44 percent. The index continued in contraction in March for the third straight month after two months of expansion preceded by eight months of contraction.
“The Prices Index remained in expansion (or ‘increasing’) territory, registering 69.4 percent, down 0.4 percentage point compared to the reading of 69.8 percent in April. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 47.1 percent, up 3.4 percentage points compared to the 43.7 percent recorded in April. The Employment Index registered 46.8 percent, up 0.3 percentage point from April’s figure of 46.5 percent.”
Clarios Plans U.S. Investment of Up to $1B to Build and Equip a Critical Mineral Processing & Recovery Plant
GLENDALE, Wis. — Clarios, the world’s largest manufacturer and recycler of low-voltage batteries, revealed its plans, enabled by recent executive orders and using federal advanced manufacturing tax credits, to select a site for an anticipated investment of up to $1B in a state of the art critical minerals processing and recovery plant in the United States. This initiative marks a significant step in Clarios’ strategy to enhance the domestic supply of critical minerals, which are essential for national security.
The company stated that critical minerals, such as antimony, play a pivotal role in various defense and military applications. Antimony is crucial to the production of ammunition, night vision goggles, infrared sensors and precision optics. The extraction and processing of these minerals are vital to reducing the United States’ reliance on foreign sources and ensuring a stable and secure supply chain. This is particularly important given the current geopolitical landscape and the increasing demand for advanced defense technologies.
According to Mark Wallace, CEO of Clarios, “We’re excited to announce the next step in our strategy to increase our investment in the United States,” he said. “This initiative reflects our deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and building resilient supply chains. By advancing our recycling capabilities and deploying cutting-edge technologies, we’re not only strengthening the domestic supply of critical minerals — we’re also supporting national security and a more sustainable future.”
Read the full announcement here.
