Author: Business Enquirer
Procurement has come a long way. Once thought of as a back-office cost center, it’s now at the strategic heart of companies confronting intense volatility, supply chain disruption, and sustainability expectations. As risk layers deepen, procurement teams are evolving fast — pivoting from reactive responders to forward-looking stewards of resilience and value. Seeing Through the Fog: Visibility First The foundation of effective response is visibility. Many organizations struggle with fragmented data, legacy systems, and siloed purchasing. Procurement leaders now insist on unified platforms that bring spend, supplier, and contract data together under one lens. This clarity enables them to spot…
Coupa, a leader in spend management technology, has unleashed a major update: more than 100 AI-powered features across its procurement, finance, and supply chain suite. The platform’s goal? To shift organizations from reactive spending practices to a smarter, more autonomous future. The Vision: AI as the New System Core At the heart of Coupa’s update is Coupa Navi, a portfolio of AI agents designed to transform how procurement teams work. Rather than replacing workflows, these agents work within existing systems—enabling users to talk, query, and act through AI-enhanced interaction instead of clicks and menu navigation. Salvatore Lombardo, Coupa’s Chief Product…
In a twist of elegant simplicity, some architects and engineers are embracing ice batteries as a key tool to cut energy use and carbon emissions in large buildings. The concept sounds cold — literally — but it’s gaining traction as a clever way to shift the electricity burden of air conditioning into off-peak hours, lightening the load when demand is highest. What Is an Ice Battery? An ice battery works by freezing water during off-peak hours (often at night), storing “cooling energy” that can then be used during the heat of the day to chill air or water loops in…
In its recent trading update, energy major Shell signaled a renewed strength in its gas and energy trading business—a development that could prove to be a key profit lever as the company navigates headwinds elsewhere. The Trading Turnaround Shell’s update highlighted that its integrated gas division—which includes gas trading and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations—is expected to deliver “significantly higher” trading results in the third quarter compared to prior periods. That’s a marked shift from recent quarters, when volatility and margin pressure weighed on its trading and optimization segments. At the same time, Shell adjusted its refining margin outlook upward,…
In a move aligned with its ongoing portfolio reshaping, Barrick Mining has announced its intention to sell its interests in the Tongon gold mine and associated exploration assets in Côte d’Ivoire, in a transaction valued at up to US$305 million. What’s in the Deal Why Barrick Is Divesting This sale is part of Barrick’s broader strategy to exit non-core assets, freeing up capital and focus for its portfolio of high-margin, long-life operations. Tongon, having exceeded its originally anticipated life through exploration success, is now being monetized at a stage when its production and reserve outlook are maturing. The company is…
Eli Lilly has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion to strengthen its contract manufacturing presence in India, signalling one of the company’s largest regional expansions to date. The move underscores Lilly’s long-term strategy to build a more resilient and globally distributed pharmaceutical supply chain amid surging demand for its key therapies. Expanding Through Partnership Rather than constructing wholly owned facilities, Lilly will channel funding into contract manufacturing agreements with leading Indian pharmaceutical producers. The strategy allows the company to scale quickly while leveraging India’s mature infrastructure, technical expertise, and highly skilled workforce. Part of the investment will also…
In what many are calling a pivotal breakthrough for solar technology, researchers at the University of Sydney have achieved 27.06 % efficiency in a triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell — the highest ever reported for that architecture. Through clever chemistry and interface engineering, they also improved the material’s durability, pushing the technology closer to real-world deployment. “It is an exciting time for solar research,” said Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, who led the work. “Perovskites are already showing us that we can push efficiencies beyond the limits of silicon alone. These advances mean we are moving closer to cheaper, more sustainable solar…
Aberdeen may soon see one of its most ambitious development projects yet: a multi-sports, community stadium on the beachfront with potential to generate £1.6 billion in economic uplift and support over 600 local construction jobs. The bold proposal comes from a new independent review commissioned by Aberdeen Football Club, and its findings make a compelling case for renewing enthusiasm around urban regeneration and civic ambition. What the Report Reveals The independent analysis, conducted by BiGGAR Economics, outlines how the construction and operation of a modern stadium could reshape Aberdeen’s economic landscape: As Andrea Carlo Magnaghi (BiGGAR) observes, “a stadium at…
In a major step for Zimbabwe’s aviation sector, nascent airline FlyCristal has officially secured regulatory approval to operate both domestic and regional routes. The decision marks the first major authorisation for the carrier and lays the groundwork for expanding air connectivity across the region. Taking Flight: Permits and Route Rights Granted FlyCristal has received approval from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Transport to launch a portfolio of flight services — including domestic, regional, and international destinations. The green light covers key route rights that will allow the carrier to compete across borders, strengthening Zimbabwe’s aviation footprint in Southern Africa. With the permits…
A new era is unfolding on the world’s roads — one defined by silent power, intelligent design, and uncompromising craftsmanship. From futuristic grand tourers to reimagined city icons, leading manufacturers are shaping the future of luxury mobility. This curated selection of standout models captures the essence of that transformation: where technology meets timeless style. Audi AG Concept C Audi’s upcoming Concept C, expected in 2027, embodies the next evolution of electric elegance. A sculpted roadster that bridges heritage and minimalism, it features vertical grille architecture, sleek aerodynamic surfaces, and a retractable hardtop that seamlessly merges form and function. More than…