SAPICS 2014 is focussing on ‘resilient supply chains’ and according to one of the speakers at this year’s conference the answer lies in collaboration across the extended supply chain.

Lloyd Snowden, an associate at Oliver Wight in his presentation ‘The role of collaboration to establish resilient supply chains’ will look at the elements required to effectively manage unforeseen events as they impact the supply chain.

“The past couple of years have brought the complexity of global supply chains and the difficulties of controlling them into the spotlight and developing collaborative relationships can bring many benefits, including lower supply chain cost, increased sales, reduced lead times, and greater resilience.”

Snowden will also lead a thought-provoking workshop on day one of the event, along with fellow Oliver Wight Associate, Monte Maritz. The interactive workshop will illustrate why supply chain collaboration is essential in today’s consumer-driven economy, and the benefits it can bring in terms of delivering shared goals.

“We’ll be looking at how relative maturities between supply chain partners provide different challenges, and giving practical advice on how organisations can overcome these to establish successful and sustainable partnerships throughout the extended supply chain,” explains Maritz.

SAPICS is a professional knowledge-based association, creating a network for industry professionals in South Africa. This is the organisation’s 36th annual conference. For more information or to register for the event visit: http://www.sapics.org/index.php/conference/sapics-2014