Speaker Bios and Abstracts

 Future transportation fuels: ‘Business as usual’ isn’t an option

The basis for globalisation is global transport and Australia’s future is dependent upon it. The aviation industry predicts a future of “business as usual” with five per cent growth per year. But what happens when business as usual is not an option? Shipping primarily uses bunker oil but refineries are now increasing production of diesel in response to other demands. What will happen to shipping without business as usual as an option? Since 2004, carbon emissions from oil have levelled off and peak oil means that these will soon decrease regardless of political decisions. What will happen with coal in the future? Kjell Aleklett will discuss the future of the climate without ‘business as usual’ as an option.

Kjell Aleklett is the Professor of Physics at Uppsala University in Sweden and leader of the Global Energy Systems Group. Kjell was appointed President of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas in 2003 and has written extensively on the future of global oil production.

 Olympics logistics technology – tracking and scheduling for Beijing

As the company responsible for providing logistics and transport solutions for the Beijing Olympic Games, Lexian Solutions had a unique experience in handling the challenges associated with large scale events. Will Arnott, Director of Lexian Solutions, Australia will share insights and what the company learned on key considerations such as domestic transport, warehousing, venue logistics management, logistics systems and international freight forwarding. Will’s presentation will focus on the logistical and technological requirements for major events, the complexities of working with a foreign culture and the ups and downs of a three year journey with the Beijing Organising Committee.

Clearing the blockages in Australia’s supply chains

The reliability, capacity and competitiveness of our domestic and international supply chains has a direct impact on the performance of everyday business. In tough times it is essential to get the best out of existing infrastructure and to ensure investment in new infrastructure is well targeted and timely. It is also important to step up investment levels in infrastructure so we are fit and ready to perform as the economy improves. In this presentation Michael Carter will report on the 23 supply chain blockages needing urgent attention, as identified by the Australian Logistics Council in late 2008.

Supply chain evolution – the SuperCheap Auto Group story

SuperCheap Auto Group grew from a 25 store, privately-held business to one of Australia’s market-leading retail trading groups, with three distinct retail brands: SuperCheap Auto (SCA), Boating Camping & Fishing (BCF) and Goldcross Cycles. Now generating annual revenues of $715 million, their story highlights the supply chain requirements, challenges and solutions associated with such organisational growth. The presentation will explore the evolution of SuperCheap Auto’s supply chain capabilities and outline how the organisation turned its supply chain competencies into a competitive advantage that delivered sustained service levels, cost efficiency and cash flow improvements.

 Bridging the trust gap between buyers and suppliers

You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. Yet research shows that relationships within the supply chain continue to function on an adversarial basis. In his informative presentation, Gaj Bagga, General Manager of Strategic Procurement and Logistics for United Group Australia will draw on his 15 years of international experience within the procurement sector to explore why this is happening, as well as outline steps for businesses in creating trust and bridging the gap between buyers and suppliers

Infrastructure strategy – evolution or revolution?

The Australian infrastructure sector has experienced extraordinary growth. However, commentators are pointing to a plethora of problems with current models for infrastructure provision such as poor long term planning, badly priced infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty and inappropriate contract structures. The creation of Infrastructure Australia and the Building Australia Fund are concrete steps with potential for causing significant change. What progress has Infrastructure Australia made and what is the outlook for major projects? The global financial crisis will limit the availability of public sector funds for infrastructure as well as access to private sector finance. Are further incremental changes likely to be sufficient or is something more radical required

Engaging people in continuous improvement

 How do you create a continuous improvement culture and achieve outstanding developments within an organisation without turning it upside down? Stephen Bellamy and Bernie Kelly will answer this question by outlining their business improvement program which engages people from all facets of business in quickly delivering improvements without disruption to daily productivity. The presentation will focus on rapid implementation of continuous improvement activity and present a demonstration case study introducing simple and effective standardised methodology and tools.

Developing stakeholder management maturity in a traditional business

Traditional multinational transport company, APM Terminals, has introduced effective stakeholder management into its terminal operations worldwide. The project introduces and supports a significant culture change and reports on the successful adaptation of project management methodology, the Stakeholder Circle, to general business use. With the potential for delivering significant commercial advantage in the operation and acquisition of terminals, Lynda’s presentation will describe the internal project of developing a Stakeholder Management Centre of Excellence to support the intended culture change. She will also address the larger issues of planning and delivering such change, including the required timeframe and importance of ongoing management support.

A new business model for the baking supply chain

 George Weston Foods (GWF) Baking is a billion dollar bakery business across Australia. Approximately two million loaves of bread are delivered every day by one of the country’s largest delivery fleets. The baking business has changed significantly over the last 20 years, influencing both the demands and capabilities of their customers. George Weston Foods has recently re-examined many of its long-standing business model assumptions and structures which impact the end-to-end supply chain with some surprising results. In his presentation, Alan Brooks will draw on the business model review and discuss its influence on both operations and support systems.

Improved supply chain performance with energy efficiency and eco-friendliness

For the first time in more than 15 years, the new Blackmores Campus at Warriewood has brought the company’s manufacturing and distribution operations under one roof. The design is environmentally friendly and incorporates a significantly streamlined materials handling and orderpicking system. Installation of the latest order picking technologies also ensures materials handling is optimised at all stages. This case-study presentation will illustrate how streamlining operations in a facility that is not only efficient, but environmentally sound, can result in direct supply chain savings in excess of $1 million per annum, and enhance productivity across the board without compromising the environment.

The emerging role of the Chief Supply Chain Officer

The global Chief Supply Chain Officer Study focuses on the globally integrated supply chain and has five topical ‘deep dives’. These include leveraging global assets to develop integrated SC strategies; achieving global sourcing and global operational excellence; synchronising supply and demand through visibility and collaboration; managing risks and sustainability with global partners and the emerging role of the chief supply chain officer. Karen’s presentation will provide an opportunity to hear about the challenges and successes of the integrated supply chain from the perspective of chief supply chain officers around the world. As Global Supply Chain Management Leader for the IBM Institute for Business Value, Karen Butner is responsible for researching and developing IBM’s thought leadership strategies, perspectives and global supply chain management trends.

A call to action – beyond the dramatic change, how far have we really come?

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is integral to almost every activity within an organisation and goes beyond company boundaries to link both customers and suppliers. The rise of SCM has spawned an array of conferences, seminars and tertiary programs aimed at educating and creating supply chain leaders of the future to drive further innovation. Why then have we not seen a dramatic improvement in the effectiveness of our supply chains? In her presentation, Alison Buxton will discuss the achievements as well as shortcomings of our supply chains and what can be learned from the success of certain industries. Alison Buxton is Logistics, Planning and Procurement Director for Campbell Arnott’s Asia Pacific Division. Her career has spanned a number of senior marketing and supply chain positions within the consumer packaged goods, telecommunications and third party logistics environments both in Australia and across Asia Pacific.

Financial sustainability and global supply chains: first oil, then money, now?

Since 2004, global markets have coped with challenges created by rising oil prices, price inflation and shifting world demand and supply. The recent emergence of more complex circumstances, however, will have a long term impact on global supply chains. The US sub-prime mortgage market failure, rising oil prices, continuing high expenditure on security and failure of interest rate policy to change behaviour have added to future supply chain complexity. Drawing on his international research, Guy Callender will outline the opportunities and challenges facing supply chain managers in years to come as they seek to support both the financial and broader sustainability goals of their organisation and maintain supply chain continuity.

 Advanced improvement methodologies: horses for courses

Are you looking to improve your business and don’t know where to start? Did you know that a successful lean implementation may actually make your balance sheet look worse? With a multitude of approaches, tools, Japanese buzz words and so many stories of success and failure, it is important to understand the spectrum of methodologies and then decide if any of them will deliver the results you want for your business. In his presentation, Peter Campbell will introduce the underlying philosophies of more common approaches including Lean, Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints. He will critically examine their utility, expected impact and applicability to various business scenarios.

Panel Debate: On the road to sustainable distribution – how can Australia learn from or adopt European practices?

In this special panel debate, four senior supply chain leaders and innovators will engage in a lively discussion with James Tupper from IGD and the audience on sustainable distribution and European FMCG industry achievements, exploring how supply chain operatives in Australia can learn from or adapt these practices.

The gap between the supply and demand for procurement talent

With extensive experience managing and implementing supplier development programs with major subcontractors within the industry, Tim Chalmers, Head of Procurement for BAE Systems, Australia will discuss a range of topical issues and concerns within the procurement sector today. Discussion items include recruiting procurement professionals, professional development and training for business success and building world-class standards into your procurement team.

Intermodalism in the North West (WA)

Companies traditionally providing logistical services incorporating road transport can no longer sit on their hands regarding their product offerings. With oil prices continuing to soar and the transport sector providing 14% of Australia’s total greenhouse gases, road transport providers must diversify and incorporate rail and sea within their supply chains to minimise cost, environmental and social impact, while also stimulating these two sectors back into prominence. In his presentation, Zoran Cucukovic will discuss these issues and draw on a current Intercon Logistics project which aims to introduce a sea freight service as part of its product offering, heading up Western Australia’s north west coast..

National supply chain pilot studies

Australia requires a safe, efficient, reliable and integrated national transport system that supports its economic development and social wellbeing. Globally, freight operations have shifted from a modal to supply chain approach. For businesses to remain competitive, it is crucial that the route from paddock to plate is both cost effective and reliable. The National Transport Commission (NTC) manages the Capacity Constraints and Supply Chain Performance, a working group looking at impediments in national supply chains. NTC intends to identify constraints which discourage collaboration within industries and determine the appropriate response for government and industry to optimise supply chain efficiency.

Leaning out the pharmaceutical source change process

The ability to rapidly change the source of supply for a product is cornerstone for the success of the Merck Manufacturing Strategy. Source changes allow capacity to be made available for new products, to have a second source of supply for growing products, and to secure lower cost suppliers for mature products. In his presentation, Brett Burton will draw on the Merck Manufacturing Strategy as a case study, highlighting the key objective, including the use of lean principles to significantly reduce the time it takes for pharmaceutical source changes, create the capacity for an increase in the number of source changes and do so in a way that made team members productive and satisfied. Burton will also look at how a methodology was developed for applying lean to an end-to-end business process.

Theory of Constraints and Lean manufacturing

Jason Furness will discuss the approach to and results of the last two years of the Electrolux project in a ‘warts and all’ fashion. The project has touched almost all areas of the business, including raw materials supply, production, scheduling, distribution, new model development and cost reduction projects. Jason will outline what worked, what didn’t and how audience members can learn from the experiences that Electrolux has had throughout the project so far. See how TOC and Lean manufacturing are highly complementary technologies that can help businesses cope and succeed despite the current climate of economic pressures.

Procurement in supply chain context during turbulent times

During turbulent economic times, what is the true role of professional procurement in driving supply chain effectiveness? In his presentation, Dave Gardiner will attempt to answer this question, defining the critically important role procurement has in delivering supply chain effectiveness. He will outline strategies for identifying and removing waste from the supply chain through supplier engagement, how to build procurement solutions to support lean and agile supply chains and the importance of engaging broader business functions in delivering an effective supply chain.

Procurement’s role in the supply chain

For too long, procurement has operated as a free-standing entity, disconnected from other elements of the supply chain. Today, and in the future, procurement must take its lead from the demand-side supply chain and execute appropriately aligned strategies on the supply-side. Strategic sourcing exercises that don’t reinforce what the enterprise is doing with its customers will simply bring short-term gains. A substantial change in organisational design is needed to ensure all elements of the supply chain, including procurement, are working together to minimise cost-to-serve and achieve required levels of service satisfaction. The time for full integration has arrived. We have the technology; we just need the willpower to make the change.

Increasing your leadership effectiveness

In 2002, the Victorian Government funded two High Performance Consortia (HPC) in recognition of their value in other parts of the world. One HPC was formed by Carla Geddes and Hugh O’Donnell and is still achieving great results for the member companies involved. In 2007, Carla Geddes formed a second consortium based on the HPC model in Sydney, called the Performance Drivers Consortium (PDC). The opportunity to start a second consortium led to a discussion of what works and does not work in bringing people from very different companies together to learn from each other to improve business results. Carla’s presentation will cover what has been learnt from the HPC over the last six years and focus on how to jump start improvements in companies through leveraged learning networks.

The collaborative supply chain: roadmap for success

Intense competition in the increasingly global market place has forced companies to respond more quickly to customer needs through faster product development and shorter delivery time. To better match demand with supply, manufacturers and distributors need to collaborate in the supply chain. While the concept of Supply Chain Collaboration has been widely discussed, there has not yet been the widespread adoption that was originally hoped for. Why? Building a flexible business operation that supports supply chain collaboration is tough. Join David Goad as he draws upon case studies from both successful and less successful implementations to illustrate keys to fully benefit from effective supply chain collaboration.

DHL delivers service excellence to Reader’s Digest

DHL Global Forwarding Australia and Reader’s Digest commenced working together in 2005 when Reader’s Digest first outsourced to China the printing and packing of its promotional direct mail. Going offshore required a significant change to the company’s supply chain. The lead times in planning were extended and greater complexities came about due to the increased number of players that the company dealt with. In response, DHL designed a new offshore, direct mail supply chain solution for Reader’s Digest that increased its ‘mail on time’ percentage from 87 to 99 per cent. The model has been so successful that it has been adopted for shipments to USA and Europe. In his presentation, Phil Lumsden will provide an overview of this model and how it significantly enhanced the company’s supply chain.

Evaluating supply chain exposure from new carbon trading schemes

Climate change legislation will soon create a carbon price in Australia. Embodied energy calculations are not new, but their role in understanding how to evaluate the risk within supply chains is about to become a critical issue. Many of the products we take for granted – aluminium, paint, carpet, glass, steel – will be affected by increased energy costs through carbon pricing. For many businesses downstream of heavy industry and mining, this will mean contract review, substitution of materials, cost reduction, divestment of assets and new partnering options. This presentation will cover the associated analytical and practical elements. It will include case studies on how businesses are responding to the challenge in Australia and lessons learned from clients in Europe.

The potential for Dubai as a global logistics hub

Geographic location, infrastructure availability, development potential and well established air and ocean transport services make United Arab Emirates and, in particular, Dubai an ideal location to do business. Coupled with favourable labour laws, attracting people to live and work in the environment is relatively simple, further reinforcing the strength of Dubai as a distribution hub. With experience as both a logistics service provider and now charged with the responsibility of growing the logistics sector on behalf of the Dubai government, David Harris will present insights into the value of United Arab Emirates as an ideal location for supply chain nodes linking Asia and Europe, as well as a regional distribution centre for the Middle East and North Africa. The realisation of its potential as a hub will cause a paradigm shift in supply chains linking east and west. David will outline the range of areas in which supply chain organisations can seek government support and demonstrate the success that the Government of Dubai has had in supporting such initiatives.

Sustainable procurement and the gap between theory and practice

Tony Hawthorne’s presentation will outline the origins of sustainability and the importance of ensuring integration of the economic, environmental and social spheres in any sustainable procurement program. Tony will explore Foster’s Group’s broader approach to sustainability and how sustainability has been embedded into the Foster’s global procurement function. The current status of the procurement sustainability program and the difficulty of implementing sustainability theory into an existing procurement function will also be covered.

Establishing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct

In this presentation, John Hearsch, Rachel Trindade and Jody O’Kane will present a case study outlining the efforts involved in bringing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct (GLP) to fruition. Speakers will explore important topics including the local government’s pursuit of the project, the necessity of a long term, strategic approach including land use planning, the importance of a coordinated approach from all players and the very supportive and open nature of the industry. The GLP example will illustrate the business case development, common problems, key ingredients for success and the rail/ terminal interface.

Leadership Café – “All improvement is change, but not all change is improvement!”

This session will be conducted as a “World Café” which is a conversational process; an innovative yet simple methodology for hosting conversations which link and build on each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas, and discover new insights. As a process, the World Café can evoke and make visible the collective intelligence of any group, thus increasing capacity for effective action in pursuit of common aims. The very word improvement implies that changing for the future will provide better solutions than today. All improvement is change but not all change is improvement. Can we manage change, or do we have to lead it? What is the difference between management and leadership? In his café format, David Hodes will lead exploration of answers to these and other powerful questions. Through engaging in conversations that matter, David will tap into the collective wisdom in the room to discover what is required in the way of leadership and management, to deliver all that is possible when implementing proven improvement methodologies such as TOC, Lean and Six Sigma.

Experiences in improving and sustaining customer service from Nigeria to Australia

Delivery of customer service at acceptable levels poses many challenges in implementation across Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. In his presentation Mark Holloway will outline what customer service means to Unilever and why the company regards it as a business priority. Mark will also provide practical reflections on implementation experiences in the changing markets of the region. Mark Holloway is responsible for improving the planning, delivery and CSE capabilities of Unilever, focusing specifically in areas such as sourcing, marketing and sales.

Pro-poor supply chains

Business for Millenium Development supports business engagement with the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) - eight targets agreed to by nations committed to reducing poverty, improving health, promoting peace, human rights, gender equality, and sustainability. The MDGs provide the private sector with new business opportunities which contribute to commercial success and poverty alleviation. Economic growth and innovative supply chains can provide long term solutions to poverty. In his presentation, Bill Hurditch will highlight a number of case studies, including the development of BHP Billiton’s Mozal aluminium plant in Mozambique and demonstrate how aligning with the MDGs and poverty alleviation can contribute positively to businesses, financially and socially.

See you tomorrow, GSKA’s cold chain innovation

GlaxoSmithKline Australia (GSKA), a leading provider of pharmaceuticals, has implemented a new cold chain distribution concept for temperature-sensitive vaccine products, as the existing supply chain was not 100% reliable in delivering vaccines within a specified temperature range. To solve this problem, GSKA implemented a new cold chain system which has resulted in all vaccines being delivered successfully within temperature limitations, the introduction of reusable delivery containers reducing waste and a reduction in the overall supply chain cost. Bradley James will share this experience at Smart 2009 and provide insight into cold chain innovation that improves delivery, environmental and financial bottom lines.

Electronic Product Code (EPC) RFID tracks mobile phones

Tracking individual mobile phone units has always been an issue for Telstra retail. In a joint initiative, Telstra is working with RFID specialist technology partner NEC and Brightstar Logistics to track the movement of mobile telephones from dispatch to sale to end consumer and all points in between. By placing readers at key points in the logistics process, Telstra has visibility at all times through the data being fed to it from the readers. In this presentation, representatives from GS1 Australia, Telstra, NEC and Brightstar will present the piece each of them brings to the puzzle that delivers true visibility and traceability to this high-tech supply chain.

European advances in order fulfilment

In business, the only future certainty is change. New products, new customers, tighter deadlines, different order profiles, labour shortages, higher labour costs and growth are just some of the factors challenging logistics professionals. Modern logistics systems need to be capable of optimising performance today and sufficiently flexible, modular and adaptable to deal with tomorrow’s changing demands. Europe has been at the forefront of responding to these changing demands, where the necessity to search out and develop new solutions in many aspects of warehousing and distribution has become a priority. Using the latest European case studies, Volker Jungbluth will explore the most significant advances in order fulfilment. From 1994 to 2004, Volker was Head of Department Machines and Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics. Since 2004, he has been Head of System and Supply Chain Consulting at Dematic GmbH, Offenbach..

Tackling the skills crisis in the supply chain

As a result of the skills shortage, Australian supply chain executives are under more pressure than ever to find and retain high calibre staff. In this environment, it is critical that the organisational design of the supply chain supports both business objectives and employees’ requirements for recognition and satisfaction at work. Based on a casestudy from a global organisation, Ganesh Kashyap and Erling Sorensen will present a framework for structuring an organisation to overcome this conflict and achieve service excellence in the supply chain. They will highlight an approach to better measuring, structuring and communicating the supply chain organisation as an internal service provider, a business partner and a lever to build shareholder value.

Engaging people in continuous improvement

How do you create a continuous improvement culture and achieve outstanding developments within an organisation without turning it upside down? Stephen Bellamy and Bernie Kelly will answer this question by outlining their business improvement program which engages people from all facets of business in quickly delivering improvements without disruption to daily productivity. The presentation will focus on rapid implementation of continuous improvement activity and present a demonstration case study introducing simple and effective standardised methodology and tools.

How to make Lean and TOC a way of life in your supply chain

This workshop will provide participants with the information they need to successfully implement Lean management thinking and the principles of the Theory of Constraints, to ensure supply chains are optimised, waste is reduced and profits are maximised. Lean thinking is a philosophy that focuses on the reduction of non-value adding activities or waste. The principles of Lean thinking are transferable and can be applied to all kinds of

activities including order processing, product development, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. As the founder of Lean Australia and the Lean Network, Brian is well placed to lead this workshop which will provide participants with solutions in the context of their own businesses. Brian will also explore TOC, a theory that provides the means to optimise organisational performance through:

• Appreciation of systems

• Understanding the nature of uncertainty and managing it effectively

• Understanding systemic cause and effect relationships to focus management attention

• Recognising real leverage points in value creation, whether they are physical or behavioural

 Sustainable Distribution: UK and Europe FMCG Industry Achievements

Following the Food Industry Sustainability Strategy for the UK grocery industry to reduce the social and environmental costs of domestic food transport by 20% by 2012, leading food suppliers have been working together to save millions of litres of fuel per year. Company improvements are being inspired by the industry-led Sustainable Distribution Workgroup of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR UK). An ECR Europe Sustainable Transport Workgroup is now encouraging hundreds of companies to deliver fewer and friendlier miles across the continent. James Tupper will reveal the latest on how European industries are challenging assumptions, driving change, demonstrating achievements and influencing the framework in which it operates.

James joined the supply chain team at IGD in 2002 and manages Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) workgroups, sessions and learning programs. He has 20 years experience developing people and business performance in the food and grocery industry across Europe, Asia and Africa. 

Panel Debate: On the road to sustainable distribution – how can Australia learn from or adopt European practices?

In this special panel debate, four senior supply chain leaders and innovators will engage in a lively discussion with James Tupper from IGD and the audience on sustainable distribution and European FMCG industry achievements, exploring how supply chain operatives in Australia can learn from or adapt these practices.

DHL delivers service excellence to Reader’s Digest

DHL Global Forwarding Australia and Reader’s Digest commenced working together in 2005 when Reader’s Digest first outsourced to China the printing and packing of its promotional direct mail. Going offshore required a significant change to the company’s supply chain. The lead times in planning were extended and greater complexities came about due to the increased number of players that the company dealt with. In response, DHL designed a new offshore, direct mail supply chain solution for Reader’s Digest that increased its ‘mail on time’ percentage from 87 to 99 per cent. The model has been so successful that it has been adopted for shipments to USA and Europe. In his presentation, Phil Lumsden will provide an overview of this model and how it significantly enhanced the company’s supply chain

Time to rethink off shoring

Moving the production of goods or services offshore can maintain a company’s competitiveness, and also helps keep inflation at an acceptable level in most developed countries. Volatile oil prices, a falling Australian dollar and higher wages in developed economies are challenging existing reasons to move offshore. While the labour cost difference between countries such as Australia and China is still favourable, companies offshoring in the future will need to consider additional factors when rethinking their supply chain. Speed and proximity to end consumer, availability of skilled talent and safety regulations will all impact future offshoring decisions, and the success of the companies that make them.

Gloria Jeans Coffees International Global Supply Chain

Following the rapid expansion of Australian stores between 1998 and 2004, the owners of the Gloria Jeans Coffees Master Franchise in Australia purchased the Global Master Franchisor rights and global trademarks from its US owners in 2005. This purchase formed the basis of a new business hub for the Sydney-based Gloria Jeans Coffees International. In 2006, the need for developing and implementing a global supply chain strategy, which supports growth expectations of the current and new global master franchise partner, became evident. In his presentation Chris Muir will summarise the strategy development carried out with the support of Logiworx and outline how it transformed a Sydney export based business into a global supply chain.

Rail – Moving to the digital age and preparing for a new paradigm in environmentally friendly transport

The Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) is the cornerstone technology of the ARTC in delivering its objectives of improving rail network capacity, operational flexibility, train service availability, transit times, rail safety and system reliability, in a cost efficient and safe manner. Rail is an excellent option for reducing carbon footprints – it produces fewer emissions and is on average four times more fuel efficient than trucks for freight and twice as efficient for passenger travel. In this presentation, Simon Ormsby will provide an overview of the ATMS, the Australian Government’s National Building Package for rail, likely transport market future scenarios and the important part that rail will play in Australia’s freight transport challenge.

Supply chain evolution – the SuperCheap Auto Group story

SuperCheap Auto Group grew from a 25 store, privately-held business to one of Australia’s market-leading retail trading groups, with three distinct retail brands: SuperCheap Auto (SCA), Boating Camping & Fishing (BCF) and Goldcross Cycles. Now generating annual revenues of $715 million, their story highlights the supply chain requirements, challenges and solutions associated with such organisational growth. The presentation will explore the evolution of SuperCheap Auto’s supply chain capabilities and outline how the organisation turned its supply chain competencies into a competitive advantage that delivered sustained service levels, cost efficiency and cash flow improvements.

The art and science of category management

Is “category management” the next big thing sweeping the buyer’s office? In his presentation, Peter McNamara, General Manager of Supply Chain Excellence at Rio Tinto Procurement will attempt to provide a working definition, as well as discuss the secrets to successfully implementing this discipline in the workplace. Peter will also draw on a case study of the Rio Tinto Procurement approach to category management to help illustrate his discussion.

Making My-Myer supply chain sexy

In 2006, one of the world’s leading private equity firms purchased Myer from the Coles Myer Group. Myer’s new owners faced two strategic imperatives – to achieve adequate service through the interim support period and to design a supply chain capability tailored to Myer’s future operating strategy, maximising competitive advantage and business performance. Prakash Menon was appointed to lead the new Myer Supply Chain, starting with formulating an end state vision and a transition plan to implement an independent supply chain. Prakash will describe how the Myer team delivered a world class supply chain from strategy development through planning and execution.

Forum: Three perspectives on growth in out-of-home consumption – the supply chain challenge

There is a growing trend for consumers to eat more away from home. In this presentation, speakers will explore this trend from the point of view of the marketplace at large; a retailer whose strategy is to exploit the trend; and a major Australian manufacturing supplier who is actively pursuing growth in this area. Discussion will cover how away from home consumption is trending, impacts on the current retailer formats and their supply chain strategies and how manufacturers are accommodating this change in their ‘go to market’ models.

Ensemble Leadership: a repertoire of leadership practices for uncertain times

The Ensemble Leadership Repertoire is based on original research involving senior leadership from a number of Australian companies. It offers innovative solutions which capture the Zeitgeist of leadership while retaining the best aspects of traditional approaches. New and previously unacknowledged challenges of sustainability, bottom of pyramid engagement and the management of risk in a globalised world, redefine strategic performance. This has in turn presented a challenge for organisational leadership that increasingly finds leadership practices that worked well in more benign and less turbulent times are insufficient for managing contemporary uncertainty.

Evaluating supply chain exposure from new carbon trading schemes

Climate change legislation will soon create a carbon price in Australia. Embodied energy calculations are not new, but their role in understanding how to evaluate the risk within supply chains is about to become a critical issue. Many of the products we take for granted – aluminium, paint, carpet, glass, steel – will be affected by increased energy costs through carbon pricing. For many businesses downstream of heavy industry and mining, this will mean contract review, substitution of materials, cost reduction, divestment of assets and new partnering options. This presentation will cover the associated analytical and practical elements. It will include case studies on how businesses are responding to the challenge in Australia and lessons learned from clients in Europe.

Supply chain efficiencies and patient safety in the Australian healthcare sector

The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), in association with GS1 Australia, is rolling out the National Product Catalogue (NPC). Endorsed by all state, territory and federal health departments, the NPC is the ‘single source’ of item master data for public health institutions seeking to purchase necessary healthcare items. The NPC is hosted by GS1 Australia on GS1net, its data synchronisation platform which enables the secure sharing of item master information such as product identifiers and descriptions, units of measure, package contents, product classification, pricing and related healthcare information. Health departments now require suppliers to populate the NPC with item master data for the purposes of tenders and contracts and to ensure this information is maintained up to date.

Is your supply chain killing your business?

A short 3 Act Play based on LB Foods, a $4 billion public company which has grown rapidly over the last 10 years. In the last 12 months however, its share price has fallen. There is a lack of appreciation for the complex inter-dependencies that exist in the supply chain, and many senior business managers have failed to appreciate the key drivers of supply chain health and performance. Drawing on real life case studies and experiences, this entertaining theatrical play will illustrate the often unforeseen issues that can occur within the supply chain, and how these can impact on the health of the business. Some of the early warning signs and interventions that can be made to avoid disaster will also be highlighted.

Establishing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct

In this presentation, John Hearsch, Rachel Trindade and Geoff Hill will present a case study outlining the efforts involved in bringing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct (GLP) to fruition. Speakers will explore important topics including the local government’s pursuit of the project, the necessity of a long term, strategic approach including land use planning, the importance of a coordinated approach from all players and the very supportive and open nature of the industry. The GLP example will illustrate the business case development, common problems, key ingredients for success and the rail/ terminal interface.

How supply chain innovation drives customer value

Only in recent years has the supply chain industry begun to understand what customers want when they seek value in their supply chain. This has changed the nature of the industry to now offer integrated supply chain solutions, often globally. In his presentation, John Pattullo will share the benefits of focusing on the delivery of customer value in day to day business. John will explore best practice case studies from Europe, United States and Asia and the lessons that can be applied here in Australia. John will also present CEVA’s approach to innovation in the operations excellence process and the structure in which new solutions are developed.

Driving innovation in strategic supply chains in NSW

The NSW Government’s Innovation Strategy has identified freight logistics as a sector of major importance to the state’s economy. Working with NSW freight councils, the Government commissioned Portland Group to benchmark four significant supply chains, with the objective of identifying measures to reduce logistics costs in the steel, food and beverage, construction, materials and grain supply chains. The study made a number of recommendations relating to opportunities for better asset utilisation, more productive truck networks, optimal use of rail freight, improved fuel efficiency and strategic actions. This presentation will provide an update on actions initiated and results achieved since the commencement of the project.

Trends that will outlast tough times

Times today are tough, with margins and business models across many Australian supply chains and manufacturing operations beginning to feel the pinch. Management teams are asking whether their reaction to these times should drive their business strategy. Where and when do businesses focus their strategy on the recovery cycle? In his address, Chris Richardson will raise these questions and explore two major long term trends that should guide business strategy. Chris will also discuss other areas impacting business strategy, including oil and fuel prices, the potential carbon trading schemes and carbon taxes, investments in infrastructure, the skills shortage and trends in employment. Chris Richardson is a Director of Access Economics and is one of Australia’s best known economists. Prior to joining Access Economics in 1988, Chris worked at the Federal Treasury and at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) where he was responsible for advising countries in the former Soviet Union and South America.

Cultural change initiated through software process improvement

Traditionally, software introduction is viewed with suspicion. Management makes the investment decision and workers are expected to deliver. So it’s not surprising that new software brings apprehension and fear of change. With NHP, change of software and process improvement provides the catalyst to drive cultural change. Greg Roberts’ presentation will identify the poorly recognised inventory planning environment prior to the software implementation program. He will explain how the implementation and training schedule has provided the opportunity to emphasise the relevance of the inventory planning roles. He will also identify how the development of confidence can have

Creating new efficiencies using off-shore hub warehousing

Described as ‘the new logic to shipping merchandise’ by leading industry media, the practice of creating Export Distribution Centres (EDC) is eliminating unnecessary steps in the supply chain, resulting in cost-savings through the fine-tuning of the warehouse and distribution process. In his presentation, Rhyan Stephens will demonstrate Maersk Logistics’ knowledge-based logistics leadership in explaining and sharing its expertise on the advantages of off-shore hub warehousing and why it makes dollars and sense in an industry hounded by shrinking margins.

Rhyan will be co-presenting with Michael  Toy, General Manager Supply Chain, Whirlpool, Australia.

Establishing and managing global supply chains – How to avoid the pitfalls

Many Australian companies have off-shored (parts of) their manufacturing capabilities to Low Cost Countries or are importing goods for resale or are considering this. Decision criteria are usually primarily centred on cost reduction and rarely take into account the real costs of sourcing components or entire products from far away countries. Research has proven that decisions are most often made on total landed cost comparison basis. The workshop will exploit relevant decision criteria and provide input to a comprehensive total cost of ownership model for establishing extended supply chains.

Improved supply chain performance with energy efficiency and eco friendliness

For the first time in more than 15 years, the new Blackmores Campus at Warriewood has brought the company’s manufacturing and distribution operations under one roof. The design is environmentally friendly and incorporates a significantly streamlined materials handling and orderpicking system. Installation of the latest order picking technologies also ensures materials handling is optimised at all stages. This case-study presentation will illustrate how streamlining operations in a facility that is not only efficient, but environmentally sound, can result in direct supply chain savings in excess of $1 million per annum, and enhance productivity across the board without compromising the environment.

An update on developments impacting supply chain management in China

A major trading partner for Australia, China continues to play a substantial role in global supply chains.  In his presentation, Mark Millar will explore some of the latest supply chain developments in China, including highlights of the logistics and transportation market, recent developments in infrastructure and customs regulations, and a case study on nationwide domestic distribution in the retail sector.

Supply chain efficiencies and patient safety in the Australian healthcare sector

The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA), in association with GS1 Australia, is rolling out the National Product Catalogue (NPC). Endorsed by all state, territory and federal health departments, the NPC is the ‘single source’ of item master data for public health institutions seeking to purchase necessary healthcare items. The NPC is hosted by GS1 Australia on GS1net, its data synchronisation platform which enables the secure sharing of item master information such as product identifiers and descriptions, units of measure, package contents, product classification, pricing and related healthcare information. Health departments now require suppliers to populate the NPC with item master data for the purposes of tenders and contracts and to ensure this information is maintained up to date.

Tackling the skills crisis in the supply chain

As a result of the skills shortage, Australian supply chain executives are under more pressure than ever to find and retain high calibre staff. In this environment, it is critical that the organisational design of the supply chain supports both business objectives and employees’ requirements for recognition and satisfaction at work. Based on a casestudy from a global organisation, Kashyap Ganesh and Erling Sorensen will present a framework for structuring an organisation to overcome this conflict and achieve service excellence in the supply chain. They will highlight an approach to better measuring, structuring and communicating the supply chain organisation as an internal service provider, a business partner and a lever to build shareholder value.

Lean supply chains in global automotive aftermarket

Companies are increasingly looking for new solutions where flexibility, agility and responsiveness enable a focus on customer needs and the removal of waste in all aspects of the supply chain. Unipart is a pioneer of ‘lean thinking’, a philosophy of continuous improvement. The company has developed a range of tools and techniques to create continuous improvements within the organisation – from creative problem solving processes and standard work and visual management techniques, to policy deployment techniques which ensure activity within the company is aligned with strategy and objectives. Participants will hear how Unipart has applied lean thinking tools to a global automotive aftermarket supply chain, resulting in performance, efficiency and productivity benefits.

Establishing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct

In this presentation, John Hearsch, Rachel Trindade and Jody O’Kane will present a case study outlining the efforts involved in bringing the Gippsland Logistics Precinct (GLP) to fruition. Speakers will explore important topics including the local government’s pursuit of the project, the necessity of a long term, strategic approach including land use planning, the importance of a coordinated approach from all players and the very supportive and open nature of the industry. The GLP example will illustrate the business case development, common problems, key ingredients for success and the rail/ terminal interface.

Breakthrough approach to sustainable distribution – Adapting best practice tools from Europe

At the coal face – ensuring the performance of the Australian coal export supply chain

Spread over 350km, the Hunter Valley coal chain is driven by the need to export large coal volumes from a highly concentrated network. The Hunter Valley Coal Chain Logistics Team (HVCCLT) was established to improve the capacity of the coal chain through a centralised planning process. Given the importance of the coal export chain to the Australian economy, HVCCLT recognised that accurate network planning and train scheduling capabilities were absolutely essential, and began a project aimed to maximise capacity and asset utilisation. This presentation will focus on how this project was conducted from the people, processes and systems perspective and what the expected outcomes are.

Supply chain leadership – or lack thereof

Clients of 3PLs and transport providers have looked to logisticians for proactive leadership and upon finding disappointing shortfalls, have moved into the infrastructure of their supply chains. Forcing 3PLs to adopt a passive, reactive stance by their own inaction, these clients are invading the territory traditionally held by 3PLs. This move is bringing new challenges to companies as they strive to vertically integrate, taking in-house what has traditionally been outsourced, with little or no expertise to guide them. This presentation will look at the contributing factors moving many 3PLs into a passive position and will discuss three specific cases in Australia where these 3PL role changes are taking place today.

Competitive supply chain resilience: gaining competitive advantage through innovation and collaboration

Professor Richard Wilding will discuss innovative methods for improving supply chain processes, systems and structures, using time, transparency and trust. Collaboration, both within the company and external to it, can both improve the risk profile of a supply chain and enhance innovation. This provides a foundation for “competitive supply chain resilience”, an approach that views supply chain risk management as a way to gain competitive advantage rather than increase cost to the business. Richard will discuss the new skill set required to operate within global supply chains, where the technical, traditional skill set of managers, becomes a “qualifier” and the relational skill set becomes the “winner”.

The fall and rise of RFID

Corporations around the world are finally embracing the benefits of real-time information and the optimisation effects this can have for their supply chains. CHEP is working with customers to enable trading partners to connect their supply chains seamlessly and securely through the utilisation of RFID enabled CHEP platforms. This connection can be across large or small geographic areas, enabling real-time optimisation that targets key organisational concerns such as operational efficiency, cost reduction and automation. Gerry Wind will highlight insights into the real world benefits and changes from case studies gathered from customers in vertical chains as diverse as retail, beverage and automotive.

Establishing and managing global supply chains – How to avoid the pitfalls

Many Australian companies have off-shored (parts of) their manufacturing capabilities to Low Cost Countries or are importing goods for resale or are considering this. Decision criteria are usually primarily centred on cost reduction and rarely take into account the real costs of sourcing components or entire products from far away countries. Research has proven that decisions are most often made on total landed cost comparison basis. The workshop will exploit relevant decision criteria and provide input to a comprehensive total cost of ownership model for establishing extended supply chains.

Understanding supply chain interdependencies within BlueScopeSteel

BlueScopeSteel’s (BSL) supply chain has evolved into a complex arrangement of interconnected operating models, supporting different information systems and diverse operating rules. The overriding pressure to meet day-to-day targets however, rarely provides managers with the opportunity to evaluate the wider implications of their operational decisions. These two trends have come together to present significant challenges for supply chain performance at BSL. The purpose of this paper is to show how a simulation tool based on BSL’s supply chain is being used as the starting point to encourage staff to expand their thinking and accelerate their understanding of supply chain interdependencies. The paper will highlight the effectiveness of simulation tools in illuminating critical interdependencies associated with supply chain decision making, even in supply chains as complex as BSL’s.

An integrated approach to supply chain redesign: team, process and tools

Rapid and effective supply chain redesign requires a team representing all stakeholders; a process that identifies, quantifies and implements practical savings and tools that produce accurate estimates of the potential gains together with realistic plans. In this paper we present an approach distilled from many years of international consulting on major supply chain redesign projects. Keys to this approach are the wide number of roles represented in the project team and the appropriate application of well-chosen optimisation tools. A case study for a major British retailer will also be presented in which significant savings were produced very quickly.

Predicting and measuring supply chain relationships & trust

While it is important to have the right resources, processes and infrastructure in place to make the supply chain work, it is relationships that can really deliver success. There has been some research carried out into how existing supply chain relationships can be measured. Key amongst these was carried out by Andrew Humphries & Richard Wilding at Cranfield University, resulting in the development of the Supply Chain Collaboration Index.  This research aims to extend the existing work from a diagnostic tool to one that is predictive and forward looking and ascertain whether there are pre-cursors to a good business relationship that can be identified.

Investigating the drivers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Australian logistics firms

Following Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in March 2008, the Federal Government released a green paper on the reduction of carbon pollution, outlining Australian businesses as responsible for both the direct and indirect environmental impacts of their operations. Such a policy necessitates that businesses develop strategies to manage the impacts of their upstream and downstream supply chain partners. This presentation will provide valuable guidance to firms on managing corporate social responsibility (CSR) within their supply chains. Focusing on sustainable purchasing practices within the Australian logistics services context, the presentation will report the findings of a pilot study co-conducted with the Australian Logistics Council, to examine how TPL firms trade-off between economic, social and environmental drivers when making purchasing decisions.

An empirical investigation in the Australian Grocery Industry

Inter-organisational systems (IOS) are automated information systems shared by two or more companies. While there are some studies that shed light on how organisations can progress from a less sophisticated to a more sophisticated IOS based on relationships, it is difficult to base an empirical investigation on this work. We have developed a new theoretical IOS adoption model that is empirically testable which has been evaluated by investigating IOS adoption experienced by 21 pairs of major organisations in the Australian Grocery Industry. The findings of this study provide important implications for both research and practice and will be explored in this presentation.

Aid goods allocation - distribution integration planning for natural disaster relief with direct shipment

Aid distribution for natural disaster relief involves delivering aids from supply nodes to demand nodes. In this case, the supply nodes are the places where there is a surplus of aid goods, while demand nodes include disaster areas in need of aid goods. A well-planned and integrated allocation-distribution system is essential to support a prompt supply to disaster areas, minimise casualties and restore productivity in disaster areas where possible. This paper will discuss current research on the development of an allocation and distribution model of aid goods for natural disaster relief which aims to minimise unsatisfied demands for necessary supplies in all demand nodes.

Logistics and supply chain competencies required by supply chain managers  

Logistics and supply chain management is no longer just a discipline or area of management. In today’s competitive environment, it’s a way to run a business. The competencies required by supply chain managers to face up to new challenges are therefore no longer restricted purely to the understanding of the narrowly focused area of logistics. In his presentation, Shams Rahman will aim to identify the relevant skills and competencies required by logistics and supply chain managers, and investigate areas for further improvement. 

Using innovative information technology to support a global strategy in assessment and delivery of post graduate supply chain education

In 2008, the International Contract Management unit at Southern Cross University Graduate School of Management piloted an innovative approach, using online delivery software system. All students in the unit worked in geographically diverse teams to produce a WIKI on key issues in international contracting. The software allowed both group and individual contributions to the project to be assessed and recorded the process of resource creation as well as the final end product which becomes a permanent resource for future students. The purpose of this exercise was to model international collaboration in order to prepare students to use and practice similar techniques. This paper will draw on material developed using the model and feature a live demonstration of some of the relevant technology.