Most companies today recognise that managing logistics is a vital element of implementing business strategies and plans – with logistical planning now needing a holistic approach if future growth opportunities are to be fully grasped. But only a third of South African companies are positive that they are ready for these opportunities.
 
According to SAPICS president Mungo Park, last year’s Barloworld Logistics’ supplychainforesight report revealed that 65% of the respondents to the survey were only ‘partially prepared’ or were in fact unprepared.
 
“This suggests that our supply chain professionals still have a great deal of work ahead of them,” said Park. “However, we have plenty of skilled practitioners sharing their knowledge and valuable case studies to learn from – and these will be showcased at the upcoming SAPICS conference and exhibition.”
 
The annual SAPICS event – a ‘must-attend’ on every supply chain professional’s calendar – will this year be held in Cape Town from 4-7 June; and logistics will once again be high on the agenda with a number of speakers, workshops and site visits focused on this field.
 
Among the presentations will be the updated, 2017 report of supplychainforesight, which will be given by Barloworld Logistics’ managing executive: business development and marketing, Kate Stubbs. This vital report tracks the emerging, unexpected and dramatic trends in South Africa’s fast-changing business environment. It also highlights the uncertainty pervading today’s environment, raising the urgency of developing the skills to implement, manage and successfully bring to fruition the necessary changes identified in the opportunities ahead.
 
Imperial Logistics’ chief business development and strategy officer, Cobus Rossouw, will facilitate a panel discussion on how to achieve a competitive advantage in the supply chain environment.
 
Customs administration will fall under the spotlight in a presentation by DSV South Africa’s customs manager, Graeme Lennie – who is often surprised that few people in the logistics profession really know enough about this field. He questions whether supply chain professionals are ready for the new customs legislation that will be implemented in 2017, and will unpack ‘customs self-compliance’ in an interactive session.
 
Lennie will also host a three-hour workshop on day two of the conference, open to delegates at no extra cost.
 
Logistics specialists will appreciate the interesting site visits available for delegates, like the one to Woolworths’ impressive consolidated Foods Supply Chain Distribution Centre in Montague Gardens, Cape Town. A visit to Durbanville Hills wine estate will give insights into their Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) concept, including harvesting and transportation of grapes, while a trip to SAB’s Newlands Brewery will come with an overview of its supply chain operations.
 
An informative exhibition of the latest supply chain products and services takes place alongside the conference. Short workshops on the first and second days of the conference provide valuable capacity-building opportunities to delegates at no extra charge. There will also be longer, in-depth workshops on day three, included in the conference registration fee.
 
Visit www.conference.sapics.org for more information on SAPICS 2017 and to view packages available.