Online Assessment




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What is the annual dollar volume of your corrugated purchases?
Under $100K    $100K-$500K    $500K-$1Million   
$1-2Million    $2-5Million    Over $5 million    Don't know


What are your corrugated concerns at this time?   (Check all the boxes that are relevant?)
Get lower prices Find new supplier Fix problem with container(s) Other


To get lower prices which one of these approaches do you take?
Get lower prices from existing supplier
Find a less expensive supplier
Figure out which supplier is best


How do you currently determine your supplier?
Negotiate with existing supplier Competitive Bid Method Both bid and negotiate Other


Do you know how to calculate your supplier's cost to manufacture each of your containers?
Yes No Get all costs from suppliers Don't know


Putting service issues aside, do you feel all corrugated suppliers are equally able to manufacture the container(s) you need?
Yes No Not sure


What is the role of selling in determining your best supplier?
The prospective supplier must sell us (the buyer)
We (the buyer) must sell the supplier
Selling is not part of an optimum buying program
Don't know


If a prospective supplier offered you a lower price would you switch?
Yes
Would first try to negotiate a better price with my existing supplier(s)
It would depend upon an assessment of the prospective supplier's ability to provide satisfactory quality and service


Which factor(s) are necessary to determine the best available price for your corrugated containers?
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
Unit annual volume of each of your corrugated containers
USCA Official Wholesale Corrugated Sheet price
Existing prices charged by your supplier
Specifications for each container
$ Annual volume of your total corrugated purchases
Federal Minimum Hourly Wage
Geographical location of your facility
Prevailing 90 day future on a barrel of light crude oil
Official Board Markets Transacted 26# Medium price
Official Board Markets Transacted 42# Kraft Linerboard price
Lowest bid prices received in last 90 days
Producer Price Index SIC Code 2653


How critical are non-price elements in your purchase decision?
Very important. Reluctant to switch even if promise of lower prices
Can be factored into before getting a price
Not critical


Who should pay related costs such as for rubber printing dies for new or redesigned containers?
We (the buyer) should pay these costs
The supplier should pay these costs
It doesn't matter who pays; the cost is minor
Don't know


Do you feel that a tour of a prospective supplier's plant is necessary before getting prices?
Yes No Don't know


Do you sign a fixed price contract with your corrugated supplier?
Yes Yes, except allows for percentage increases related to linerboard prices No


What do you when your supplier notifies you of a price increase?
Tell supplier exact increase acceptable
Find another supplier immediately
Accept increases but try for lower bids later
Accept only percentage increase equal to cost of linerboard increases


How satisfied are you with your current corrugated purchasing program
Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Very dissatisfied


Your position in the company
CEO, President, or General Management
V.P. Manufacturing, V.P Materials
Senior Purchasing Executive
Corrugated Buyer
Other