Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Michigan State University Opens New Value Chain Research Institute


October 28, 2013, EAST LANSING, Mich. — At its Board of Trustees meeting, Michigan State University announced plans to open a new research institute in Midland, Mich., focusing on value chain creation and management and tackling many of today’s grand challenges in business, said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon.

“Whether you’re talking about simply delivering safe water locally or fostering international competitiveness, effective value chain creation is key,” she said. “By developing more effective, sustainable value chains through this initiative, we hope to provide both an advantage for American manufacturing and pathways for the world to respond more successfully to human needs. In addition, we will cooperate with the Midland community in creating new knowledge and training opportunities, to help the region prosper in the new global economy.”

Value chain refers to the effective management of processes related to product innovation, design, sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, inventory management, warehousing, marketing, customer services, and returns and repairs.

Through its institute, MSU will conduct research as well as offer graduate studies in value chain management. The institute also will offer non-degree courses and certificate programs on-site and online.

Initially, an executive director and six tenure-track MSU researchers will staff the institute; the location will be announced soon. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, MSU faculty from the Broad College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science will be involved in the research.

David Closs, chairperson of MSU’s supply chain management department, will serve as interim director during the executive director search. MSU’s supply chain management undergraduate program is ranked as the best in the nation, while the graduate program holds the No. 2 ranking, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Institute researchers will work with undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and corporate collaborators to develop and apply new knowledge, with the aim of improving all types of public and private value chains.

The institute, launched with a total of $15.5-million in philanthropic and corporate support pledges, will focus on three research areas:
* Novel, evidence-based tools for value chain management
* Quantitative assessment, monitoring, and management of integrated supply chain solutions
* Food- and water-focused research projects, including humanitarian efforts

Simon cited Midland’s and the Great Lakes Bay Region’s, existing corporate value chain talent pool and MSU’s robust, century-old relationship with the  region  as reasons for establishing the facility in the central Michigan area.

The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning Corporation, The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation will be the initial donors to the institute, with others recruited over time.

“Having the MSU Midland Institute in the region will facilitate advancements in sustainable value chain management including packaging technology, as well as provide valuable professional educational opportunities,” said Dave Kepler, executive vice president, Business Services and Chief Sustainability Officer, Chief Information Officer. “We see the institute as having wide-ranging benefits for businesses and their employees across the region, in terms of economic development, career development, attracting and retaining top talent and positively impacting the overall quality of life in the region. Dow is committed to helping MSU succeed in this endeavor.”

“The creation of a strategic, world-renowned supply chain research facility in Midland will help strengthen the United States’ competitive advantage in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace,” said Bob Hansen, president and CEO, Dow Corning Corporation. “Additionally, the institute will contribute to the economic vitality of the Midland community, which Dow Corning has called home for the last 70 years.”

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

LQ Advisory Board Announcement: Dick Metzler has Joined LQ's Board



LQ is pleased to announce that Dick Metzler has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board

Dick Metzler, President/Chairman of the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA) and the former Senior Vice President, Acquisitions, XPO Logistics, Inc. Mr. Metzler has over 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles within the transportation and logistics industry. He is presently the Chairman of the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA), is on the board of Flash Global Logistics and M33 Integrated. Mr. Metzler was the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions at XPO Logistics, where he led multiple acquisitions that generate nearly $100 million in revenue.

He was also the Chief Commercial Officer of Greatwide Logistics Services. Dick's duties and responsibilities include Sales, Marketing, M&A and Strategy. He has also served as the interim business leader for three different businesses and led the centralization of the company's key business functions.

Prior to joining Greatwide, Mr. Metzler was EVP of Marketing for DHL, where he launched the DHL brand in the USA and throughout The Americas. He was responsible for a $150 million marketing and communications budget and also had P&L responsibility for DHL Same Day ($50 million), DHL Logistics ($125 million) and DHL Canada ($300 million).

Mr. Metzler served as Chief Executive Officer for APL Logistics, a global 3rd party global logistics company where his team grew revenues from just over $400 million to over $800 million. He has also held senior management positions with GE Capital/TIP and TNT Express in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Dick started his career at FedEx where he held several senior positions in sales and marketing leadership within the USA, Europe and was the Vice President and General Manager of FedEx Logistics ($500 million P&L).

About TMSA:
For nearly a century, the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA) has provided North American transportation and logistics marketing, sales and communications professionals with the knowledge, connections, recognition and solutions you need to power ROI and competitive edge. TMSA is your leading resource for the professional development, networking, business intelligence and best practices that you need to succeed.

LQ's Board:
As a resource for logisticians, academics and executives in other disciplines in the United States and Canada, LQ offers ideas for leadership in logistics, supply chain management and transportation, and provides a unique bridge between business, academia and practitioners. LQ’s Advisory Board and contributors afford authoritative thinking on the complex and fast-changing work of the logistics and supply chain management business - with a unique focus on best practices in the United States and Canada. LQ's Board plays a pivotal role in providing direction for LQ Magazine and LQ’s bi-annual Symposiums.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

C.H. Robinson Strengthens Anti-Cargo Theft Strategy

Eden Prairie, MN (October 2, 2013) — C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., one of the world’s largest logistics companies, bolsters its anti-cargo theft strategy by joining CargoNet® to provide customers with a proactive approach to strengthening security around sensitive and high value product freight.

CargoNet is a division of Verisk Crime Analytics, a Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK) company. CargoNet is centered on a national database and information-sharing system managed by crime analysts and subject matter experts. By providing coordinated incident communications, recovery support, and deterrence measures, CargoNet helps its members prevent cargo theft and improve chances of recovery.

CargoNet members benefit from an extensive law enforcement network of more than 120,000 officers and agents spanning more than 9,000 agencies in the United States and Canada. Organized groups rather than opportunistic individuals typically commit cargo theft. Through proactive utilization of theft data, trends and hotspots, C.H. Robinson will leverage and incorporate data from CargoNet and internal sources to provide supply chain decision making intelligence on areas to avoid and how to better manage supply chains.

“Shippers can mitigate the risk of cargo theft by understanding what makes commodities easier to steal and taking steps to reduce theft,” said Chris McLoughlin, cargo risk manager at C.H. Robinson. “Working with CargoNet allows C.H. Robinson to add another layer to our risk management security plan, which adds value to our customers and contract carriers through business intelligence.”

Through CargoNet’s information-sharing network, cargo theft event information is passed on to statewide law enforcement systems and several non-law enforcement channels almost immediately after a theft is reported. CargoNet ensures law enforcement can efficiently find critical information to help solve complex investigations, identify perpetrators, and recover stolen product. ”We are excited that C.H. Robinson has committed to the CargoNet platform,” said Anthony Canale, general manager of CargoNet. “Protecting cargo and people is crucial in today’s market, where cargo theft remains a significant threat. C.H. Robinson’s encouragement for its contract carriers to also join CargoNet will have a positive impact on supply chain security and the cost of risk in North America.”

About C.H. Robinson:

Founded in 1905, C.H. Robinson is a global provider of multimodal logistics services, fresh produce sourcing, and information services to 42,000 customers through a network of more than 275 offices and over 11,000 employees around the world. The company works with 56,000 transportation providers worldwide. C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500 company and has annual revenues of over $11 billion. Through the company and its Foundation, C.H. Robinson and its employees contribute millions of dollars annually to a variety of organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Community Health Charities, American Red Cross, Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, and Global Impact. The company is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has been publicly traded on the NASDAQ since 1997. For more information about C.H. Robinson, visit http://www.chrobinson.com.

About Verisk Crime Analytics:

Verisk Crime Analytics is a leading provider of crime prevention services for retailers, manufacturers, logistics companies, equipment owners, and insurance companies and offers data and analytical support to law enforcement. Verisk Crime Analytics provides a comprehensive suite of data management, analytic, and theft prevention services that include prediction, mitigation, response, and recovery. Verisk Crime Analytics is a Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK) company. For more information, visit www.verisk.com/crimeanalytics.