Spring 2008 Symposium
Supply Chain Optimization for Speed, Agility and Efficiency
May 13-14, 2008
Rauch Business Center
Perella Auditorium (Room 184)
Lehigh University
621 Taylor Street, Bethlehem, PA
Co-Sponsored by:
Featuring Speakers from:
Registration and Directions
On-line registration is now closed.
Please click here to download driving directions to the symposium venues.
Tentative Agenda
Tuesday, May 13
Time |
Event |
| 6:30 – 8:30 pm | Networking and Student Recruiting Dinner, Bethlehem Brew Works (www.thebrewworks.com) |
Wednesday, May 14
Time |
Event |
| 8:00 – 8:30 am | Registration & Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 9:00 am | Welcome, Introductions and Update on CVCR Activities Paul Brown, Dean - College of Business and Economics Mike Santoro & Larry Snyder, Co-Directors - CVCR Joel Sutherland, Managing Director - CVCR |
| 9:00 – 10:00 am | Session 1: New Tools for Strategic Supply Chain Planning and Optimization New tools in strategic supply chain planning and optimization are enabling firms to achieve supply chain improvements that were not possible a few short years ago. Studies show that early adaptors of these tools are running much more efficient and effective supply chains. This presentation will cover such areas as network design, strategic multi-site production sourcing, risk management, inventory optimization, and green logistics. The concepts will be highlighted by case studies and will address practical issues such as how to best achieve the desired benefits and which potential pitfalls to avoid. Mike Watson, Director—Supply Chain Applications for U.S., LogicTools, a division of ILOG |
| 10:00 – 10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15 - 11:15 am | Session 2: Peeps and Kisses: Two Candy Supply Chains, Two Network Optimization Strategies The candy makers Just Born and Hershey’s have recently undertaken network optimization projects to evaluate and redesign their supply chain networks. One company used ready-to-use supply chain optimization software, while the other commissioned a custom-designed model and algorithm from Lehigh researchers. In this presentation, we will discuss the two network optimization projects, focusing on each project’s key questions, deliverables, and expected outcomes. We will then compare the two projects and discuss why one project was suited for ready-to-use software while the other required a more customized approach. Audience members will gain a better sense of how and why network optimization is used, and how firms might begin to undertake such a project. Stacy Orwan, Supply Chain Modeler, The Hershey Company Alan Sargent, Supply Chain/Logistics Manager, Just Born, Inc. Matt Schlosser, Senior Manager, Supply Chain Strategy, The Hershey Co. Larry Snyder, Assistant Prof of Ind’l & Systems Engineering, Lehigh University |
| 11:15 - 12:15 pm | Session 3: Material Handling—The Critical Link in Supply Chain Optimization Designing the material handling operation is a major challenge faced by operations management. Customers are demanding faster turnaround times; orders are getting smaller; more value-add is being required; qualified staffs in warehouse operations are getting harder to find and retain; and information system integration with supply chain partners is becoming more complex. In this session, the audience will learn how to use projected criteria and requirements to develop operations designs that can effectively meet these challenges. Case studies of recent implementations including the use of computer simulation to refine and validate designs will be reviewed. Donald Derewecki, President, Gross & Associates |
| 12:15 – 1:15 pm | Lunch |
| 1:15 - 2:15 pm | Session 4: Transportation Management Principles and Techniques for Optimizing a Global Supply Chain Today's Global Supply Chains require transportation solutions which are flexible and able to meet the challenges of inter-regional shipping. Fuel prices, port and lift capacity, environmental pressures, and driver issues present hurdles which increase these challenges for transportation managers at all companies. In this session, Johnson & Johnson's Sales & Logistics Company will share its approaches to these challenges by focusing on strong supplier management, increased use of technology, and utilizing strategic 3PL support. George Harry, Director of the Global Transportation Organization, Johnson & Johnson Sales and Logistics Company |
| 2:15 - 3:15 pm | Session 5: Creating Agile Supply Chains in the Chemical Industry In today's business environment, it is important that a business be agile as well as efficient. Supply chains can help achieve this through the ability to respond quickly to customer demand and by reducing operating costs. Heightened customer expectations and shorter channel response times will be difficult to achieve for some companies, but for those that can deliver the right product in a timely fashion, increased market share and profitability will be the reward. The Performance Polymers business at Air Products has successfully transformed its' supply chain to become more agile and responsive to effectively deal with the increased volatility in the chemical industry. You will learn what key strategies and approaches this business utilized to create a more agile supply chain. Steve Crane, Director Supply Chain, Air Products |
| 3:15– 3:30 pm | Break |
| 3:30 - 4:30 pm | Session 6: Finance—Integrating the Last Internal Silo for Effective Management of Global Supply Chains Supply chains have historically been designed to lower costs and fulfill demand. Today, global supply chains require an evolutionary new form of metrics to align organizations with these overarching goals. The metrics needed to support the objectives of increased speed, agility and efficiency require organizations to understand that global supply chains are impacted by variability, currency, trade rules, time and the corresponding costs of time of money. In this session you will learn what financial metrics need to be considered when managing global supply chains in order to optimize balance sheet performance, COGS and cash requirements. Bob Belshaw, Senior Vice President of Trade Services—GE Commercial Financial Services |
| 4:30– 5:00 pm | Closing comments and Wrap-Up Joel Sutherland, Managing Director - CVCR |
| 5:00 – 6:00 pm | Cocktail reception: Zoellner Arts Gallery (Lehigh University) |
Accommodations
The Hotel Bethlehem (www.hotelbethlehem.com) is located in historic Bethlehem, PA, just across the river from Lehigh University. If your require a room for the night, please contact the hotel directly and let them know you're attending the CVCR spring symposium.