IMPERIAL Logistics brings/adds fast-moving, forward-thinking to SAPICS 2010

IMPERIAL Logistics will be showcasing not only how it moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight, but the tangible and sustainable supply chain optimisation results thereof.

The Group believes that Africa's time has come, and strives to ensure that the continent's supply chain professionals don't miss a beat in moving business and industry forward. "Both environmental and economic factors are critically important to achieve both sustainability and globally competitiveness. In other words, supply chains need to be cost effective and environmentally friendly," says Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics CEO.

"Furthering the existing and future talent pipeline through educational and networking forums such as the SAPICS annual event is a strategic imperative, especially post FIFA 2010 World Cup™, as Africa features highly on the world's business radar," he says.

Delegates can look forward to IMPERIAL Logistics' presentations on 'greening transportation in the supply chain' and 'supply chain network "what if?" scenarios made easy', as well as 'deploying technology to drive efficiency through standardisation of business processes across a diverse multi site and multi geography organisation'. The team will also be launching the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Global Supply Chain Risk survey at the event.

IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director, Abrie de Swardt will facilitate an ideas exchange session that interrogates how "key" global supply chain priorities really are. "This session will touch on questions around supply chain integration, collaborative planning, logistics and distribution, as well as focus on the role that IT plays in supply chain integration," explains de Swardt. "We will demystify how to steer a more agile, connected and cost effective supply chain, which remains a top priority for manufacturers in 2010 and beyond."

The SAPICS 2010 agenda will deliver critical logistics and supply chain management debate and knowledge sharing during a time that, due to the economic downturn continues to require that LSPs contend with factors such as unpredictable demand, volatility in fuel costs and currency valuation, and excess inventory.

"Notably," de Swardt adds, "LSPs have the opportunity to use the downturn to their advantage, as companies assess their supply chains' strengths and weaknesses and require changes designed to increase agility, heighten responsiveness and reduce costs."

Swanepoel continues, "We view the annual SAPICS conference, hosted in collaboration with the Supply-Chain Council as thé highlight in Africa's logistics and supply chain management calendar."

IMPERIAL Logistics goal is to enable its customers' brands to grow through delivery of process efficiency and effectiveness, people capability and alignment and technology enablement. "Through consistent collaboration with academics, professional associations, business partners and customers, we demonstrate our commitment to people development and excellence as we nurture our performance-driven culture," concludes Swanepoel.


About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics' service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer's business, building its customer's brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi branded business, categorised into four key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight and Integration Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.


About SAPICS
SAPICS - The Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa - comprises professional members from across the spectrum of South African industry. Since its foundation in 1966, SAPICS has become a leading provider of knowledge in supply chain management, production and operations in South Africa. The association is closely affiliated to APICS, The Association for Operations Management in the United States. SAPICS is the South African custodian of two internationally accredited certification programmes - Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). The association's education offerings are aimed at advancing industry's ability to succeed in a changing and increasingly competitive market place. For further information about SAPICS, please visit www.sapics.org.za.