Page 7 - Logistics News August 2017

News

SA’s best take on the world in

global supply chain challenge

A team of four high-fl ying supply chain management professionals from South African aviation
industry supplier Aerosud Aviation will take the hopes of Africa to a global industry competition in
Lisbon, Portugal in September.

THE GROUP recently took the number one spot sophisticated software at the end of each round, to
in the ‘international’ pool of the Fresh Connection calculate the eff ects of each teams’ decisions and
Global Challenge, a unique supply chain to rank their positions.
management simulation game in which teams In Aerosud Aviation’s case, they were up against
compete online to save a virtual fruit juice company not only other South African companies but teams
from fi nancial ruin. Members of each team choose from other parts of the continent and elsewhere in
a particular discipline – supply chain, operations, the world. When they get to Lisbon, the team of
sales and purchasing – and together they make Andre Tustin, Lee-Anne Slabbert, Ofhani Magabe
strategic and tactical choices that aff ect their and Eugene Nel will face the winners from the US
success. pool, the Russian pool and the Dutch pool, among
Created and managed by Netherlands-based others.
supply chain learning specialists Inchainge, the Inchainge director Hans Kremer emphasised
simulation generates results that are analysed by that the Fresh Connection is really a hands-on
training tool, focused on aligning the diff erent
functional units of a business at the strategic and
tactical level.
“It is incredibly exciting for a South African team
to be in the fi nal, and we wish them all the best
of luck,” said Tonya Lamb, business development
executive at SAPICS – leading supply chain
association and the South African partners in this
global competition. •

Bearings International appoints new

Warehouse and Logistics Manager

LEADING distributor Bearings International he was charged with industrial engineering
(BI), a member of the Hudaco Group, has functions.
appointed John Grobbelaar as its new BI’s main industry focus is the
Warehouse and Logistics Manager. automotive, OEM, and aftermarket sectors in
Grobbelaar’s experience includes being South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and other
DC Manager of Takealot.com’s 30 000 m2 countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. “With
Johannesburg distribution centre, reporting our extensive network of more than 47
to the National Operations Manager in branches, we support clients in most major
Cape Town. Here he was responsible for full cities. However, where the Hudaco Group
warehouse and operations management together expands through acquisitions, we will be willing to
with strategic management of all warehousing look into those areas of opportunity,” BI CEO Burtie
functions and continuous improvement projects, in Roberts explains.
line with the company’s vision and objectives. “We are focused on transforming our
He oversaw receiving, putaway, picking, packing organisation through cost optimisation and
and dispatch functions, as well as inventory control increasing operational effi ciency. There also
upwards of 350 000 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), remain a number of opportunities to leverage our
comprising around 900 000 items. Prior to that, partnerships in adjacent industries and explore
Grobbelaar was Warehouse Team Leader for the value-accretive activities. We are very excited and
Logistics Department at PFG Building Glass, where positive about the future,” Roberts concludes. •

26 August 2017 | Logistics News