Join Tom today as we dive into the origins of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing's meteoric and their roots at Texas Instruments. Tom discusses TSMC's impressive profit margins, its market dominance, and the geopolitical risks associated with its operations. The conversation highlights TSMC's technological advancements, particularly in AI and quantum computing, and offers insights into negotiating strategies with such a powerful supplier. Overall, this episode of Supplier Central on the Rebuild Procurement Podcast highlights the importance of partner positioning as your best bargaining chip when working with a behemoth supplier with nearly $900B in market cap like TSMC.

Join Tom and Alan on the latest episode of Rebuild Procurement as they discuss the evolving landscape of robotics and AI, exploring their applications in various industries, including agriculture and logistics. They highlight the importance of understanding the suitability of tasks for robots versus humans, the economic implications of robotics, and the impact of AI on procurement and interest rates. The discussion also touches on the challenges of measuring inflation and the need for clarity in economic data. Alan and Tom explore various themes surrounding economic predictions, transparency in data, the history of management consulting, and the evolution of procurement practices. They discuss the implications of a potential economic soft landing, the transparency of data in the U.S. compared to other countries, and the historical context of major consulting firms like McKinsey and Kearney. Learn how the 2x2 Kraljic Matrix delivers accurate supplier segmentation and helps procurement teams develop differentiated purchasing strategies.

Join Tom and Alan on the latest episode of Rebuild Procurement as they discuss space exploration and the latest advancements in technology; Insights and Alan's favorite highlights from the SIG conference; the recent launch of SpaceX's Starship, the future of space travel, and Elon Musk's innovations in robotics and AI. The conversation also highlights the significance of constructive feedback in personal growth and the dynamics of outsourcing in procurement. And finally, we wrap this episode up with a discussion on the procurement cycle and strategies for effective supplier management for category and contract managers.