At the recently held annual meeting of the Bearing Specialists Association, there was a lot of talk about online sales channels and how Internet retailers are changing the way industrial products are researched, sourced and purchased.

Seems simple enough doesn't it? It is most decidedly not. Indeed, one can make the case that--aside from uppermost management (or ownership)-- no one else in a heavy/high-tech manufacturing concern has more ownership of the company's everyday needs and necessities than the purchasing department.

The challenge facing OEM procurement organizations is that the organizations themselves need improving before they can be proficient in a cost reduction program.

Nowadays, you can find scientists and engineers creating micro-robotic creatures for a slew of fascinating research projects.