SUPPLY CHAIN UPDATE

Materials site finds e-partner

A new Web-based materials supplier has teamed up with a developer of business-to-business exchanges to further streamline product purchasing for semiconductor industry customers. TheSupply.com and NexPrise have formed a strategic alliance that will offer suppliers a fast and direct link to buyers. The collaboration offers several benefits for users, according to the partners. These include the buying and selling of catalog and off-catalog products using an automated e-sourcing and procurement process; collaborating on-line with engineers, scientists, materials managers, and suppliers through a secure platform; and tracking orders with automatic electronic invoices. Information: http://www.TheSupply.com.

SEMI forms e-biz board

Noting the rapid proliferation of e-commerce sites, SEMI has formed an advisory board to develop guidelines and standard practices for buyers and sellers using the Web for semiconductor industry transactions. The trade association says members like the way that on-line commerce is streamlining the supply chain and reducing costs. "However," asserts Tom Reed, SEMI's vp of new business development, "so far there has been little guidance on how best to adopt a B2B strategy." SEMI is "well positioned" to establish an endorsement program for the association's 2400-plus member firms and their customers, he says. The new board will help develop educational programs and services for electronic commerce. The board will comprise executives from SEMI and its member companies as well as companies and organizations taking part in the trade association's e-commerce program. SEMI has signed a nonexclusive agreement with semiconbay.com giving the Web site a seat on the advisory board. SEMI and semiconbay.com will design an e-commerce catalog for SEMI members as part of the agreement. The pact also gives semiconbay.com certain promotional benefits. Information: http:// www.semi.org

Elastomer site established

Several suppliers of elastomers have agreed to create a Web-based market for their products. ElastomerSolutions. com will bring together rubber processors as well as suppliers of materials, ingredients, and equipment. Service providers will also be represented. Companies participating in the global market include Bayer, CK Witco, DSM Elastomers, DuPont Dow Elastomers, Flexsys, M.A. Hanna Rubber Compounding, and Zeon Chemicals. All seven firms have invested in the venture, which will be open to all industry suppliers and customers. The site is set for launch in the third quarter of 2000. For more information, go to http://www. ElastomerSolutions.com.

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