Here is an outline of a coherent programme to deter and manage price increases.  This is based upon the assumption that some costs will increase in time and some of those will be beyond the control of the supplier.  Other costs may be contraolled more successfully by the supplier.

1.  Communicate to the supplier's senior management your expectation that they will control their own costs and that you will work with them to target zero inflation going forward.

2.  Instead of inviting them to tell you why their prices should rise, develop and communicate to the supply base a series of messages explaining why you can't afford to accept any price rises.

3.  Request from the supplier what the key cost drivers are that they face together with details of their tactics to control their costs.

4.  If you receive a request for a price increase, ask the supplier for cost reductions elsewhere to offset any impact from the requested increase.

5.  Challenge the increase as constrcutively as you can, ensuring that you accept the minimum that is warranted.

Managing requests for price increases is a key means of preserving value so aim to become an active player in the process.