Overview

One of the ways in which companies can build market share and increase return on investment is through the use of logistics to add value. Logistics can, in fact, be used to differentiate products and effectively lower the cost of doing business. An interesting twist to this new emphasis on the value-adding role of logistics is that the focus is on the supply chain. Thus, there is recognition that companies are usually part of a ‘pipeline’ or supply chain that brings products to the ultimate user. In its simplest context, the supply chain involves a company’s vendors and direct customers. Logistics plays an integral role in the supply chain.

This course deals with the critical logistics supply chain issues and why companies find a supply chain perspective important to improving their competitive position in the marketplace. Participants will be shown key supply chain strategies and how these can be used to lower costs, add value for customers and increase the competitive standing of the firm.

Key Topics

Issues and Challenges in Supply Chain Management

This module describes the objectives, processes and functions of supply chain management. Focus topics include the role and dimensions of supply chain processes in determining competitive advantage regarding variability (quality), visibility (transaction status), velocity (cycle times), and vulnerability (risk) plus total costs. This module includes discussion of the three key supply chain cycles - product, information and cash flow. Critical issues in supply chain management are addressed. Review of ongoing research, new concepts and future supply chain challenges.

Leveraging Logistics Value into Marketing Strategy

This module will provide background on value and customer value creation. The creation of logistics customer value will be reviewed. Marketing strategy and its relevance to logistics will be examined and discussed. The use of strategic network design to create logistics customer value will be outlined

Supply Chain Relationships

The objectives of collaboration between supply chain partners and strategic alliances will be covered. The importance and types of supply chain relationships will be reviewed. A model for creating successful supply chain relationships will be presented.

Demand Management

Includes a review of demand management, forecasting, the order fulfilment cycle and the full range of customer service. The need for coordination of supply and demand and processes and cutting edge technologies for accomplishing this will be discussed. The growing need for effective demand management as part of a firm’s overall logistics and supply chain management expertise will be covered.

Distribution Management

Includes a review of the strategic role of the warehouse including attaining the logistics goals of shorter cycle times, lower inventories, lower costs, and improved customer service levels. The value-adding role of warehousing and forms of value added work are reviewed. The key strategies being used by firms in distribution to gain competitive advantage and the relative merits of each of these strategies in improving overall distribution management performance are reviewed

Transportation Management

Includes a review of how the transportation component of the supply chain, like the distribution center component, has taken on the strategic role of attaining the logistics goals of shorter cycle times, lower inventories, lower costs, and improved customer service levels. This Module is concerned with the transportation system in the logistics system/supply chain. The focus is on a strategic approach to transportation management, the transportation process and optimizing transportation decisions

Customer Satisfaction Through Third Party Logistics

This module will include understanding types of logistics relationships and a process model that facilitates the development and implementation of successful supply chain relationships. The objectives include definitions of third party logistics, types of third party services and collaborative relationships. Using outsourced logistics services as a key strategy to improve supply chains and create customer satisfaction. Included in this module will be a profile of the third party logistics industry

Sustainable Supply Chain Design

This module includes a review of those green building and operations practices which have provided operational, economic or social benefits to companies and their communities. The module also includes a review of those companies which are finding that sustainable design of their infrastructure can provide competitive advantage through energy savings, productivity increases, and operational efficiency as well as having benefits to the environment.

Registration and further information

Registration is now open for Melbourne in June 2010. See also our course brochure and registration form.

This course is being offered jointly by CSIRO and the Logistics Association of Australia.

For further information, please contact Dr Simon Dunstall at CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics .

Please note that, in the event of circumstances beyond CSIRO's control, the information provided above may be subject to change.

Who should attend?

Senior executives and managers involved in the overall management of the supply chain and/or of key elements of the supply chain. This includes managing directors, procurement managers/directors, logistics managers/directors, marketing managers directors, management consultants, and industrial engineering managers/directors.

About the presenters

Dr C. John Langley has been actively involved in supply chain management and business logistics for over 30 years. He is a former President of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and is a past recipient of the Council’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Langley is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer, and regularly attracts audiences of leading executives from the foremost companies. In 2004 he was honoured as one of the profession’s top five logistics executives at the Richmond Events Logistics and Supply Chain Forum. Dr. Langley has co-authored a number of books including The Management of Business Logistics: A Supply Chain Perspective, published in 2003.

Lew Roberts is President and founder of L. Roberts & Associates Inc., a USA based firm that provides a wide range of professional consulting and management development services, aimed at improving business performance, with an emphasis in the field of supply chain management. His consulting and management development career over the past 20 years has included working with Ryder, UPS, Menlo, Exel, Owens Corning, Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific, SAPPI, Baxter, De Beers, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, and many other major firms worldwide. Lew has been invited to speak at many conferences and universities, in his chosen field, including the Colorado School of Mines (at the invitation of Professor Gene Woolsey), Cleveland State University, the University of Toledo, the National University of Singapore and the University of Pretoria. In addition, Lew has written many articles on the subject of business performance improvement and supply chain management. He is also a speaker on the Executive Masters in International Logistics (EMIL) Program conducted by Georgia Tech University.