Supply Chain Frontiers issue #9. Read all articles in this issue.
The first class to graduate from the Zaragoza Masters of Engineering in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (ZLOG) degree program received a warm welcome to the profession from John Allan, CEO of global supply chain management company Exel. "You are entering one of the most exciting fields of endeavor," said Allan, guest speaker at the inaugural graduation ceremony in Zaragoza, Spain, June 1, 2005. The industry is growing by five to six percent annually "so the prospects for you all should be good," he said.
Supply chains are becoming longer, leaner, and more complex said Allan, "and we have to replace inventory with information." That poses some difficult managerial challenges, but the rewards are great as well. According to Allan the supply chain management profession is a driver and enabler of economic growth that plays a key role in delivering high-quality product to the world's consumers. The profession also has an important social role to play, he believes. "Think about how efficient supply chains are lifting world poverty," by promoting worldwide growth, said Allan. "Globalization is helping to drain the swamp of global poverty," even though some regions, notably Sub-Saharan Africa, have yet to benefit from a stronger world economy, he pointed out.
Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, congratulated the class and pointed to some well known companies such as Cisco and Dell as evidence of the importance of supply chain management. "The greatness of these companies comes from being able to manage their supply chains better," Sheffi said.
For more information on the ZLOG program go to: http://www.zaragozalogistics.com