Dynamic Supply Chain Management and Logistics Leading the Recovery

Logistics Ireland 2010 which took place last week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. This year’s event was based around the theme ‘Dynamic Supply Chain Management and Logistics Leading the Recovery’ and was organised by the NITL in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
 

Delegates at Logistics Ireland 2010 

The conference focused on the achievement of competitiveness through the effective alignment of supply chain activities. The recent economic volatility has provided a fresh impetus in terms of building the necessary supply chain strategic capability in a proactive and focused manner. It is particularly important in an Irish context because of the open nature of our economy, the challenges posed by relative geographical peripherality and the potential benefits in terms of cost and customer service. Recent months have shown some modest signs of economic recovery and a return of business confidence.  However, after the serious contraction of recent years there is still a long way to go before sustainable economic growth becomes a reality. Stabilising the exchequer finances and the creation of a functioning banking sector are important in this regard.  However, it is only through a return to successful export-driven growth that the situation can really be turned around.  SCM has a central role to play in achieving this.
 

     Joe Reynolds (Reynolds Logistics), Edward Sweeney (NITL), Ingrid Miley (RTE) and Maurice Mullen (Department of Transport) 

Logistics Ireland 2010 explored these issues in some detail with a particular focus on:

• The critical role of supply chain alignment in addressing the challenges presented by the current economic environment
• How to implement practical supply chain and logistics solutions with a view to cutting costs and improving service
• How to manage the supply chain change process

The conference comprised a series of innovative presentations showcasing the perspectives of leading SCM academics and industry practitioners with a strong focus on the need for change. Possible practical approaches to simultaneously reducing cost in the supply chain and improving customer service were presented.

Logistics Ireland 2010 was opened by Maurice Mullen of the Department of Transport, deputising for Minister Noel Dempsey, T.D.

The core of the event was based around five keynote speakers:

• John Gattorna, internationally recognised supply chain thought leader.
  
  See Dr. Gattorna interview at Logistics Ireland 2010 at www.youtube.com/watch
  
   
• Paul Condon, Supply Chain Director at Genzyme Corporation, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies with a major operation in Waterford.
• Gerrit-Jan Steenbergen, Vice President 3i Innovation Centre at Zetes, the leading pan-European company in the value-added solutions and services industry for automatic identification of goods and people.
• Joe Reynolds, Chairman of Reynolds Tankers Group.  Award winning Reynolds Logistics provides a specialised transport and distribution service for the oil industry in Ireland.
• John Mangan, Professor of Marine Transport and Logistics at Newcastle University, one of the UK and Ireland’s foremost logistics academics.

In addition, there was a lively Expert Panel Q&A Session chaired by Ingrid Miley, Industry and Employment Correspondent, RTE.

    Edward Sweeney officially closes Logistics Ireland 2010

At the conference closing ceremony Edward Sweeney thanked all speakers, conference partners and sponsors. He also thanked his colleagues in NITL, in particular event manager Pamela O’Brien, for their hard work in making the event such a success.

Conference presentations are available to view or download at http://www.nitl.ie/Logistics_Ireland_Conference_2010_Presentations/Default.359.html