IPSA the Institute

Past

The Institute of Purchasing was founded 35 years ago by a number of people from the profession, who recognised the need to develop standards in procurement practices as well as increase the number of trained and qualified personnel who were required in a rapidly developing country. They formulated structured training programmes and assisted the Technikons in designing courses for the National Diploma qualification.

Present

More recently there has been a progressive shift in focus from purchasing to supply management, and the Institute has recognised this by altering its title to include "Supply". In addition, an alliance has been formed with the Institute of Marketing Management which provides IPSA with secretarial and administrative services. This was considered to be a perfect integration of procurement and marketing philosophies which reflect similar trends occurring in the business environment. World-wide there is a growing awareness of the strategic importance of efficient and effective procurement objectives. Therefore the Institute is constantly aware and adapting to the changes occurring in the procurement and supply profession, both nationally and internationally.

Future

As global trading increases, and advances in technology occur, it will become essential for enterprises to adapt to the constant changes in the business environment. Those enterprises with the ability to take advantage of new opportunities, or increase procurement effectiveness and efficiency will maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. However, change cannot happen without the management skills of an enterprise, which can identify and implement changes for the benefit of the organisation. Therefore IPSA aims to actively facilitate the development of these skills and the establishment of supply management standards within the purchasing community.

Affiliations

IPSA is a full member of the lnternational Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM), an organisation whose member organisations represent our profession in almost fifty different countries.

IPSA is also a member of two of the most significant organisations within IFPSM the National Association of Purchasing Managers (Phoenix, Arizona) and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (United Kingdom).

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