Another two companies, third-party logistics provider Transplace and leading fruit juice manufacturer Ocean Spray, have joined the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics’ (MIT CTL) Supply Chain Exchange program. The program has more than doubled its membership since MIT CTL embarked on an expansion effort some four years ago.
The fact that the Exchange continues to attract new partners underlines the fact that, even in an economic downturn, leading companies recognize the competitive value of research and new thinking, explained David Riquier, MIT CTL’s Director of Corporate Outreach. “The need for new competitive strategies is even greater in a recession, when conditions can represent both opportunities and threats. Companies that embrace new ideas are often the ones that surge ahead,” Riquier said.
Exchange members enjoy multiple benefits, including access to MIT’s thought leaders and the Center’s latest supply chain research. In 2009, the Center’s offerings include a series of innovative events and research projects in various areas such as supply chain carbon efficiency, risk management, and strategy development.
Transplace is a non-asset based third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering manufacturers and retailers a blend of logistics technology and transportation management services ranging from complete logistics management outsourcing to intelligent transportation management systems. The company is recognized among the elite 3PLs in North America by a customer base that includes many of the largest shippers in the world.
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey formed Ocean Spray over 75 years ago; Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. The company is North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2007 sales of $1.7 billion.
The addition of Ocean Spray and Transplace brings the number of companies in the Exchange to 45. Several more new members are in the pipeline for 2009, said Riquier. “There continues to be tremendous interest in the program from companies across a wide spectrum of industries,” he said.
Membership in the MIT CTL Supply Chain Exchange costs $ 25,000 per annum. For more information contact Bob Vaz. See the full list of Exchange members.