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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Measuring Cross-Industry Purchasing Performance across 20 Common Metrics

CAPS Research provides benchmarking tools for supply management groups to measure their performance across different key performance indicators.

(TEMPE, Arizona) February 18, 2010 — CAPS Research updated its highly regarded Cross-Industry Report of Standard Benchmarks in 2009 to include several new key performance indicators. New metrics include the percent of supply management employees that are strategic or operational, employee retention rates, and purchase order cycle time for both direct goods and indirect goods.

The cross-industry report, published twice-yearly by CAPS Research, contains data on 20 commonly referenced benchmarks. The 2009 report includes data provided by more 300 different companies representing 20 different industry sectors.

A key metric measured year over year is operating expense per supply management employee. The 2009 benchmarking report shows the average operating expense is $115,822 per year. This is the fifth year that an increase in operating expense was reported. The report shows that supply management operating expenses are highest in the Diversified Beverages & Foods sector, which average $162,084. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Consumer Products Manufacturers which averages $86,130 per supply management employee.

The CAPS Research Cross Industry Report of Standard Benchmarks continues to be one of the most viewed reports on the CAPS Research website.

If you're a first-time visitor to the CAPS Research website you will be prompted to register when you access reports. Otherwise, just click here and enter your previously established login data to access the 2009 Cross-Industry Report.

CAPS Research is a nonprofit research organization founded in 1986 to provide leading research to our strategic-minded corporate sponsors and to the public. Our mission is to work in partnership with a global network of executives and academics for the discovery and dissemination of strategic supply management knowledge and best practices. CAPS Research is jointly sponsored by the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, the Institute for Supply Management™, and Global 1000/Fortune 500-size organizations.

Media Contact:
Debbie Maciejewski
Marketing Manager
CAPS Research
Voice: 800-888-6276 extension 3046
Email: dmaciejewski@capsresearch.org

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