Procurement is the term given to the series of operations concerned with purchasing, expediting, inspecting and shipping equipment or other goods for use by the purchaser. The type of procurement department described in this book is one which would be found in a large engineering contracting organization, but the basic principles, functions and procedures are applicable to a variety of businesses. The authors analyze the organization of a procurement department and then discuss in detail the procurement stages, from vendor assessment to settlement of the final account. Topics include purchasing, organization, tender preparation, documentation, sub-contracting and shipping, as well as the often neglected areas of expediting and inspection. Although primarily intended for professional buyers with commercial companies and public authorities, the text has also been designed to assist courses in purchasing management and supply.