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.

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.

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.

Announcement: Krista Collinson Joins LQ's Board

LQ is pleased to announce that Krista Collinson has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board


Krista Collinson serves as Vice President, Logistics, Ecommerce and Business Development, for Toysrus Canada. In this role, she works with the Canadian executive team on the development of short- and long-term logistics, supply chain and Omni-channel strategy for the business. She is recognized globally in the Toysrus family as being a key global leader in Omni channel, supply chain, technology and logistics, successfully leading the way for many countries, in new strategic initiatives within the company.

Krista is an accomplished professional, with over 20 years of retail experience.  She has proven track record of increasing revenues, profits and market share through savvy business and infrastructure initiatives.  Her deliberate approach to building businesses and managing infrastructure to support growth has been a key deliverable to EBITDA contribution over the years.

She has proven track record in Canada in the Omni channel space, building for the future and integrating within the retail business to delivering a best in class experience for customers.  She recognizes the impact of inefficiencies in the business as it impacts the most important part of the value chain, the customer. She has successfully started up an ecommerce business in Canada that continues to see double digit growth annually.  She has superior leadership skills, practiced in developing and managing cross-functional teams in complex businesses to meet customer needs.

Her most recent work included, opening a new Distribution Centre in Delta, Vancouver with a 3PL partner, supporting the growth of business, implemented strategic sourcing changes and overall changes to the replenishment model for retail stores in 2011 with a 3 month start-up of 180,000 square foot facility with full automation and WMS support.  The Omni channel growth in 2012 was supported with the opening of 55 store fulfillment operations across Canada building on to the network of the 3PL fulfillment centre for Ecommerce.

In the same year, Krista successfully led the transformation of supply chain automation and merchandise operations, moving the organization to demand driven supply chain methods in inventory management, forecasting and replenishment.   This included a full organizational change to a sales and operations planning model, with a customer centric approach to merchandise operations in the organization.  With the main deliverable of improving availability on shelf to consumers, changing order cycle times, while driving inventory investment out of the company and improving turns.
Krista is an avid fundraiser, supporter of giving back to communities and supporter of corporate sponsorship of social responsibility.  Krista is the Chair for Toysrus Golf Classic for the past five years, supporting the growth of charity event annually.  Krista has served on the Board of Directors for Starlight (Ont) from Feb 2012 to July 2013, also served as co-chair of their Gala Fundraising committee.

Krista is a Certified Management Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Brock University.

About Toys“R”Us, Canada

Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys "R" Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Toys "R" Us, Canada operates nearly 70 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping, visit www.toysrus.ca and www.babiesrus.ca

About Toys“R”Us, Inc. 

Toys "R" Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 868 Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores in the United States, and in more than 520 international stores and over 200 licensed stores in 33 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com, FAO.com and babyuniverse.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys "R" Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need.


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.

Announcement: David Guernsey Joins LQ's Board

LQ is pleased to announce that David Guernsey has accepted LQ’s invitation to join its Advisory Board

David Guernsey, Principal, GlobalEdge Solutions, is the former Senior Sustainability Program Manager and the acknowledged “father of sustainability” at UPS. In 1992, David became the International Environmental Manager where he developed UPS’s global environmental compliance programs. During this time, David led the effort, from tactical details to top-level strategic platforms, to create an industry first Sustainability and Reporting program in 2003. David went on to guide UPS through nine sustainability reports before he retired in April 2012.

David was deeply entrenched in every aspect of UPS’s Sustainability program. His responsibilities included corporate sustainability management, climate & energy strategy and all “beyond compliance” activities; to include; external technical working groups, projects with Non-Governmental Organizations, support for environmental public relations, and corporate response and strategy related to global environmental issues. As Managing Principal of Experiential Sustainability Consulting, David helps companies build, manage and enhance their sustainability programs from tactical to strategic. Dave received his Masters in environmental biology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

About Consultancy Practices

David now works in multiple consultancy practices to leverage his experience and help other companies play a visible role in developing and managing the complex framework necessary to do business in our changing world.

* Managing Principal – Experiential Sustainability Consulting
* Principal – GlobalEdge Solutions
* Executive in Residence – Homrich Partners LLC

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.

Announcement: Learning Opportunities From CITT:

Harvard Business Review Blog reports 75% companies are “blind-sided” by unexpected disruptions to their globalized supply chain logistics operations, 1 yet CITT calls these disruptions “predictable”, the risks “manageable” and corporate suffering “avoidable”

TORONTO, ON August 28, 2013 - “Having depth and breadth of specialized logistics knowledge is the key to predicting and manoeuvring the Great Disruptions that strike our global and domestic supply chain logistics ecosystems,” says CITT’s President Catherine Viglas, who wants to alert the business community that CITT’s fall semester of specialized, online logistics courses are open for registration only until September 2nd at midnight and observes that there’s never been more urgency for businesses to invest in professional development in logistics than there is right now.

The Unexpected Can Be Expected

“The lack of predictability is actually predictable,” says CITT’s Viglas. “Modern, global logistics is more complicated than many executives appreciate. Major disruptions happen all the time. Able logistics pros handle them. And they make it look easy. They quietly solve these kinds of big problems with their teams all the time. They’re unsung corporate heroes.”

“The key to manoeuvring the Great Disruptions reported by the companies in this research—the kinds of political upheaval, extreme weather phenomena and natural disasters that tend to happen more commonly in the far-flung regions from which many companies now source their products, components or raw materials—is in the planning, preparation and practice. And these are based on a deep understanding of the inter-connectivity of the systems and processes and range of alternatives in logistics and how they work and interrelate in the real world and as part of a complex and dynamic ecosystem,” adds Viglas.

She points out that with preparation, deep expertise and corporate support, the significant corporate suffering inflicted to the companies in this study could have been largely avoided. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive, specialized logistics education to help people develop their knowledge and abilities and enhance their on-the-job learning.

Viglas also highlights the value of the practice-oriented, case-based learning and interactive group-work that CITT’s courses and annual professional development conference use to help professionals role-play risk scenarios.

CITT integrates a wide range of scenarios to hone the skills of its professional students. CITT’s designation holders have worked through many cases by the time they’re fully certified since CITT views ‘The Case’ to be one of the best ways to sharpen real-world skills without exposing companies to the actual risks of real-world learning curves.

Respected as a leading industry authority, CITT was asked to write and adjudicate the Strategy Case used in the 2013 MBA Games, where top teams from every Canadian business school vied to bring the smartest answers to the table.

“Business schools really understand the idea that we can’t start to get proficient at contingency and risk management unless we have practice. Many companies and professionals come to CITT with that in mind as well,” says Viglas.

CITT’s Education & Certification Mission Has Never Been More Relevant Than It Is Today

“The good news is…[half of the companies in the study reported by the HBR blog said] that their firms are now adding rigor to the process of assessing supply chain resiliency,” wrote study and blog author and APQC Senior Research Fellow, Mary Driscoll.

“We’ve never had such a tough and complex business climate and had to be this good professionally. Considering the stiff competition, a crazy cyclical economy, major supply chain disruptions and our sector’s looming exodus of experienced professionals, the founding post-WW2 mission of CITT to build strong logistics expertise rapidly hasn’t been this relevant in over 50 years,” observed CITT President, Catherine Viglas.

People who work in any aspect of business that touches on supply chain logistics—shippers, carriers and 3PLs and all the ancillary logistics services—can look to CITT to help them develop the ability to master more logistics preparedness, manoeuvrability and resiliency.

CITT announces the Last Call for its fall semester of specialized logistics courses offered online across Canada to all proactive professionals who want to develop, demonstrate and deepen their mastery of the business of logistics. And reminds executives that investing in professional development of this nature can help minimize surprises and reduce corporate suffering caused by inevitable Big Disruptions to companies’ complex supply chains and logistics operations.

Learning opportunities from CITT:

UPCOMING COURSES: fall logistics courses start September 3rd
Registration options:
* Online at www.citt.ca/register (available 24/7 ‘til midnight September 2nd)
* By phone: 416.363.5696. Phone lines will be opened until Friday, August 30th at 5:00 pm EST. Registrations received by fax, email and telephone over the long weekend will be processed first thing on the morning of September 3rd

UPCOMING Professional Development Conference (Nov 3-5, 2013):
Why a fully integrated, cross-functional risk management strategy is a new imperative for companies is one of the pivotal topics of this year’s CITT’s National Conference on Supply Chain & Logistics which is being held in Toronto November 3-5 and welcomes any supply chain or logistics professional or interested management professional. Please call CITT at 416.363.5696 or visit www.citt.ca

Background on CITT
CITT is a non-profit organization created by industry to rapidly build post WW2 logistics expertise in 1958. Today CITT is industry’s most experienced and valued source of supply chain logistics courses, certification and expertise. With accessible, flexible, and affordable online learning, industry experienced course facilitators and supportive program staff, CITT has helped thousands of successful working professionals develop, demonstrate and deepen their mastery of the business of logistics and attain industry’s most valued logistics designation from CITT.

CITT’s Specialized Logistics Courses & Professional Designation (Certification)
Created for industry, by industry, CITT compresses decades of real-world experience and innumerate hours of logistics experience into professional courses that are developed, updated and facilitated by successful, proven logistics practitioners.

CITT offers industry’s most comprehensive and practical coverage of logistics topics that supply chain logistics professionals need to survive and thrive, including: courses, webinars and a premier conferences. All address the Canadian and global perspectives of supply chain logistics.

CITT’s deep-level specialized logistics courses are aimed at helping organizations build more invulnerable, sustainable and profitable supply chain logistics operations. Relevant for anyone who buys, sells or manages the flow of goods and product (or is impacted by transportation logistics), they are:

Transportation Systems
Logistics Processes
Logistics Decision Modelling
Integrated Logistics
Transportation Law
Transportation Economics

Complete FREE GUIDE

CITT’s courses lead to more sustainable, invulnerable supply chain and logistics operations.

CITT-certified professionals
Thousands of professionals have looked to CITT for professional certification and many maintain their professional designation voluntarily year-after-year. Before they can be certified, CITT’s designation holders have proven business and logistics knowledge, have amassed nearly 10,000 hours of industry experience, agree to uphold a code of conduct and make a commitment to regular professional development to ensure their abilities are up-to-date.

LQ's September 26th Symposium Facilitator Announcement

LQ is pleased to announce that David Guernsey, the former Senior Sustainability Program Manager and the acknowledged “father of sustainability” at UPS, will be helping to guide our discussions at LQ’s September 26th Symposium at the Toronto Board of Trade's Country Club during the program's roundtable Executive Exchange.

LQ’s September 26th Symposium will focus on the theme of Developing New Strategies to Create Supply Chain Engagement from two perspectives: Leveraging Sustainability to Create More Meaningful Customer Relationships as well as Engagement, and New Ways to Create Powerful Internal Collaboration - reaching your firm’s executive management team with a clear supply chain strategy to deliver results to all stakeholders and enhance profitability.
 
A few of the Supply Chain Engagement Topics LQ’s Symposium will cover include:
 
• Making chain sustainability a priority for senior level executives and middle management across your firm – through to procurement practices
 
• Working with your suppliers to build cost effective programs to spread your standards up and down your supply chain
 
• Communicating and reporting on your supply chain sustainability efforts: leverage your sustainability efforts and reports, and engaging consumers to better inform them on your work in this area

In addition to featuring luncheon speaker Dr. Yossi Sheffi, MIT, LQ’s Symposium will provide its delegates with a unique workshop learning environment – to learn from some of the finest supply chain educators and leading executives in North America – logisticians and 3PLs alike.
 
LQ’s workshop-format Executive Exchange at its Symposium will be coupled with outstanding presentations from executives representing the finalists and honorable mentions from LQ’s 3PL Sustainability Study and Awards Program 2013, which has been sponsored for a third consecutive year by C.H. Robinson.
 
You can register at www.LQsummit.com to benefit from LQ's Early Bird Symposium Registration Rate of $700 up until the end of August.

Early Bird registrations will also receive complimentary edition of Dr. Sheffi’s new book, Logistics Clusters. If you would like to download a one-page overview of LQ’s impressive roster of Speakers, or share it will colleagues who may like to attend, please visit: http://lqtoday.com/uploads/pdf/LQSpeakers.pdf

In addition, this year's 3PL and Logisticians’ Sustainability Symposium on September 26th will be followed by LQ's First Women in Supply Chain (WSCM) Breakfast Networ\k event on the next morning, September 27th. Delegates registered for September 26th are also invited to attend LQ’s WSCM Breakfast on September 27th as part of their registration package.
 
LQ’s WSCM Breakfast will feature thought leaders from Canada and the U.S. who will share their insights on mentoring, career sponsorship, and other professional development practices for women in supply chain management at the Toronto Board of Trade’s Country Club. LQ’s WSCM Breakfast facilitators and presenters include:

• Adriene Bailey, Vice President, Strategic Business Development, Yusen-Logistics (Americas) Inc.
• Robyn Brunscher, Vice President, Business Development, UPS
• Patricia Moser, President, i3advantage inc.
• Loray Mosher, PhD, Assistant Director at the Supply Chain Management Research Center (SCMRC), in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas
• Ellen Voie, President and CEO, Women In Trucking

Register today for LQ's Early Bird Breakfast Executive Exchange (September 27th exclusively) at www.WomenInSCM.com for $99. This discounted early bird registration price gives you a total of $30 off of the regular Breakfast Executive Exchange price of $130 until August 30th).

LQ’s events are a great way to learn from leading logisticians, 3PLs and academics about developing new career advancement opportunities and proven innovative business practices with well researched presentations, at a well put-together industry conference that’s attended by senior executives.

LQ's Sponsors, which have made this exciting day possible, include: (Gold Sponsors) C.H. Robinson, GENCO, Genpro Incorporated and Ryder. 

If you have any questions regarding LQ’s Symposium on September 26th, or the WSCM Breakfast on September 27th, please contact LQ's Editor & Publisher Fred Moody: moody@LogisticsQuarterly.com