Supply Chain Matters has readership representing a broad range of supply chain functional and operational disciplines including planning, procurement and product management.  For those readers who are involved in conducting or participating in your organization’s Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), we would like to call attention to an upcoming conference you might want to consider attending.

The IE Group is conducting its S&OP Innovation Summit in Boston on September 15-16.  We had the opportunity to attend last year’s conference, and we found the conference to be jam packed with presentations addressing S&OP case studies from multiple industry settings, as well as ample opportunities for networking with other S&OP related professionals.  You are welcomed to read our summary impressions from last year’s Summit. This year, Supply Chain Matters is featured as one of the media sponsors of this year’s conference.

Thus far, the conference organizers have lined-up speakers representing Abercrombie & Fitch, ConAgra Foods, Dow Chemical, Elizabeth Arden, Mars, UPS, among others.  There is also a quality group of technology sponsors where you can have opportunities to “kick the tires” among software dedicated to supporting S&OP and related planning processes.  Supply Chain Matters will also be in attendance at this year’s conference and we look forward to networking among conference attendees and sponsors.  Look for our conference commentary shortly after the conference.

Further information and an invitation can be found at the following web site. Please note that an early registration discount is in effect until July 31. Last year’s conference was filled to capacity.

We continue with Supply Chain Matters commentary relative to the current announcements of Q1 related revenues and earnings by reflecting on the page one headline article in last Thursday’s published Wall Street Journal, World Revs Up U.S. Profits. (paid subscription required) It again reinforces how the sustaining growth in the emerging economies has fueled a new boom in U.S. manufacturing output, and consequent revenues and profits. In the article, the chief U.S. economist for Deutsche Bank noted: “Manufacturing has been growing gangbusters.”

This new boom is being fueled by stronger sales related to the building of new infrastructure in emerging markets, which includes heavy duty trucks, building, farming and mining equipment. Also noted is a quote from an economist at PNC Financial Services Inc. stating: “The economy would be limping along, at best, without the strong manufacturing sector…”   Large global manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Eaton Corp., Honeywell International and United Technologies are each cited as example companies that are benefitting from booming sales outside of the U.S.

However, as in all aspects of this ‘new-normal’ of business recovery, there are many caution signs that could derail the current boom. Growing unrest in the Middle East, the rapid rise in energy and other key commodity products, the growing threat of inflation will all test the resiliency of this U.S. manufacturing boom. The recent earthquake that occurred in Japan has driven home the critical aspects of product sourcing risks. The crisis itself could provide either positive or negative consequences for U.S. manufacturers.

On Thursday and Friday of this week, this author is pleased to be designated as the master of ceremonies for the 2011 OpsInsight Leadership Forum being held at the Hyatt Harborside in Boston.  The conference program features a great line-up of speakers including eight different keynote speakers addressing many operations leadership topics.  Fourteen other speakers will address various topics related to product innovation, lean methods, business process best practices, management and operational leadership.

In the conference opening address, I will be touching upon where we are as operations  and supply chain executives in this ‘new normal’ of ups and downs and how important a role operations management will play in innovation and future growth for manufacturers.

I’m looking forward to the program and hope to run into some of our readers.

If you desire more information on the conference, you can click on the conference icon located on the right-hand panel of this blog.

U.S. manufacturing is on the rise but uncertainty and risk remain for the coming months.

Is your organization prepared?

Bob Ferrari

We are pleased to announce that another new feature implemented on this site is the ability for our readers to be able to get information on what we believe are some interesting upcoming conferences directly related to supply chain, procurement and operations management.

The criteria for placement of these sponsored ads will be conferences with compelling agenda and speakers, conferences that Supply Chain Matters will be participating within, as well as conferences that have made a sponsoring arrangement with this blog.

Readers can view this Conference section on the right hand panel of this site, just below the About Our Sponsors section.

Currently included is the upcoming 2011 Supply Chain World North America conference sponsored by the Supply Chain Council, where this author will be leading a pundits and influencer panel discussion involving some interesting topics related to preparing supply chains for business recovery.  Look for this agenda item appearing on the last day. Also included is the upcoming 2011 OpsInsight Leadership Forum being held in late April in Boston, where Supply Chain Matters will be providing blog coverage. By April, the snow will have melted and spring will have arrived.  A great time to visit Boston.

Bob Ferrari

One of my multiple volunteer activities involves being a member of the Association of Operations Management (APICS) Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Examination Review Committee.

For those readers not familiar with the exam, candidates have the opportunity to be tested and certified on a broad range of supply chain management competencies.  Our committee meets about two to three times per year, to review feedback and results from previous exams, and to work on revised areas for testing.  I was nominated to this committee based on my previous background in supply chain information systems which I acquired both as a noted supply chain industry analyst, as well as working at a number of very large and smaller supply chain software providers including Oracle and SAP.

The October meeting also brings together all of the other APICS certification exam committees, including those involving inventory, operations and production scheduling exam areas. The APICS management team brings together all of these teams once a year to communicate strategic direction, and potential new initiatives.

One of the areas I’m especially interested in is the newly released Supply Chain Manager Competency Model that was published in August.  This is a rather detailed description or guideline of broad-based skills required in mastering supply chain management, and can be downloaded from the APICS web site.  I hope to get a better understanding of this model, and will pen a future posting on my impressions of this model.

While in Chicago, I’m also planning to have dinner with my fellow blogger Jason Bush, who is the primary author of the Spend Matters blog, which is noted on this site’s Blog Roll.  Jason and I have known each other for many years, and often run into each other at various supply chain events, and discuss various supply chain trends and developments.  Whereas Jason was the first to introduce serious blogging to the supply chain world by coining the “Matters” blog tag, he has been very gracious to allow me to foster Supply Chain “Matters” moniker, to which I am grateful.

Bob Ferrari

Perhaps your company or organization is currently attempting to deal with the challenges of addressing an overall supply chain risk management plan.  You may also be seeking an opportunity to understand how other organizations or how of your peer professionals are addressing supply chain risk management.

At the upcoming Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago, which is supply chain’s premier event, I will be facilitating the session in the Ask the Expert Track, Successfully Dealing with Supply Chain Risk. This session will be held on Monday September 21, from 1:45pm to 3;15pm in Room W-186a .  My goal for this session is to have an overall discussion for managing and planning for uncertainties and supply chain risk. I will share how industry leaders are identifying and addressing these areas, how quickly risk events can escalate, and what steps can be taken to address a risk management plan.  If you are planning on attending this year’s conference, please sign-up for this session since space will be limited to insure an interactive discussion.  Please let me know if you do sign-up so I can insure that I have some content material pertinent to your industry.  You can email me at bferrari at blog1 dot com.

I’m also planning on taking the opportunity for meeting and catching-up with friends, colleagues, and industry professionals at the conference, so if you are planning on attending, do let me know, or seek me out.

 Bob Ferrari