Leading Companies to Present at Energy Conference

Supply Chain Frontiers issue #19. Read all articles in this issue. 

 

DHL, Fujitsu, Staples and Wal-Mart are among the organizations that will talk about how they are building energy efficiency into supply chains at the Achieving the Energy-Efficient Supply Chain conference, April 30, 2007, on the MIT Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts.     The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL), have joined forces to host the groundbreaking event. Topics to be covered include the use of direct-ship to cut shipment numbers, streamlining distribution networks, and innovations in load optimization and packaging. CTL director Professor Yossi Sheffi will explain the supply chain management implications of energy efficiency, and Professor Ernest Moniz, former Undersecretary of the US Department of Energy and director of the MIT Energy Initiative, will summarize critical trends in energy supply and demand.   "When companies make their supply chains more energy-efficient, this not only demonstrates corporate social responsibility and energy independence, but also helps their bottom line," said Sheffi. "Reducing dependence on fossil fuel cuts energy costs and reduces companies' exposure to the highly volatile prices of oil."    For most organizations, becoming more energy-efficient is a major challenge as the economics of energy consumption influence every facet of supply chain management, from sourcing to final delivery. "A number of leading companies are beginning to redefine their supply chains so they can operate in an energy-constrained business environment," said CSCMP president and CEO Rick Blasgen. "However, most are behind the curve. With this conference, we hope to help more companies start developing energy-efficient supply chains."   There will also be a mock presidential debate that will present the pros and cons of higher gas taxes.    For more information visit the conference web site.