Supply Chain Conference Offers Insights at the Right Time

Energizing Your Supply Chain Transformations Conference Banner

While supply chains continue to be disrupted, knowledge about supply chains was flowing freely at the Energizing Your Supply Chain Transformations conference hosted this fall by the Supply Chain Management Institute at the Lubar School of Business and UWM’s Connected Systems Institute.

The conference featured keynote addresses by Rajiv Malik, Senior Vice President of Global Product Services at Kohl’s Corporation, and Bill Stewart, Vice President of Supply Chain at Kohler Kitchen and Bath. Breakout sessions related to streamlining and digitizing the supply chain offered additional insights for attendees.

Here are brief descriptions of the presentations and links to the session videos, if available.

Evolving the Transformation in Merchandise Sourcing (Video)
Rajiv Malik, Kohl’s Corporation
Rajiv opened the conference by describing the exciting and complex world of retail merchandise sourcing and discussing the multi-faceted transformation and challenges in that sector. He described Kohl’s strategic and agile sourcing approach that is giving the Wisconsin-based retailer an advantage in the marketplace.

Using Agile Methods to Accelerate Digital Supply Chain Transformation
Bill Stewart, Kohler Kitchen & Bath
Bill described how Kohler Kitchen & Bath’s use of agile software methods as applied to their supply chain improvement projects is not only driving faster supply chain improvements in areas such as order management, but is reinforcing their servant-leadership culture.

Fostering Collaboration: Engaging Physicians in Product Selection (Video)
Chuck Jensen, Froedtert Health
Chuck discussed a recent initiative at Froedtert Health to involve surgeons in the sourcing process. The early involvement of surgeons dramatically reduced the number of one-time requests for items. Early involvement has also reduced Froedtert’s costs to source and procure the items.

Supply Unchained: How We Got into This Mess and How We Will Get Out of It (Video)
Thomas Derry, Institute for Supply Management
Thomas presented many macro-economic trends that the supply chains around the country are experiencing. He connected these trends with how countries’ approach to trade has changed over the past 20 years. Thomas then discussed some supply chain predictions for 2022 based on research that was conducted at the Institute for Supply Management. 

Best Practices for Warehouse Automation Readiness (Video)
Peter Zalinski, Barcoding, Inc.
Peter shared some best practices for those working to implement automated workflows in their warehouse operations and described ways to avoid costly errors and omissions that could lengthen or derail project savings.

Improved Operational Metrics through Digital Supply Chain (Video)
Victor Baez, Regal-Rexnord
Victor shared Regal-Rexnord’s continuous improvement focus and tools applied to “digitizing” their operations. He also described the results and benefits resulting from integrating with a larger, global supply chain.

Cyber Risk in the Supply Chain: Manufacturing, Suppliers and Partners (Video)
Charlene Deaver-Vasquez, FISMACS.com
Charlene shared a presentation focused on supply chain cybersecurity, and described trends and statistics on cybersecurity incidents. In her talk, she also covered essential cybersecurity best practices and ways to quantify supply chain cybersecurity risks.