It believes that knowledge sharing is critical for South African businesses aiming to compete successfully in the global marketplace, where increasingly complex supply chains, cost constraints and sustainability are among the challenges.
Lew Roberts, who is leading the initiative for GIBS, stresses that South African companies aiming to compete on the global stage face a barrage of challenges. "They need to learn to manage increasingly complex supply chains, formulating integrated supply chain strategies on both a local geographic and global basis.
"They also need to learn to manage costs in the face of the recent global recession, and understand, and adhere to, world-class standards of environmental management, health and safety."
As part of its drive to help South African companies navigate this minefield, GIBS will host a number of executive round table sessions each year. "The primary focus will be to provide a structured, facilitated forum for the dissemination of supply chain and logistics information and knowledge, including white papers and the latest research findings. These round tables will take place at GIBS or onsite at a member company."
In addition to facilitating knowledge sharing, a key focus of the round table project is also to collect data though surveys. "Members will have the opportunity to participate in the annual global State of Logistics Outsourcing survey and report and the annual South African State of Logistics survey. They will then have timely access to survey data collected, enabling them to address areas of weakness and improve their supply chain and logistics performance."
GIBS is aiming to put together a network of between 20 and 25 companies for the round table and Roberts says that the institute is looking for member companies with major regional and global supply chains, as well as those seeking to expand globally. "In addition to the members of the round table, leading local and international experts in the field will be invited to contribute to the round table discussions and meetings from time to time."
Imperial Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management, has announced its participation in the GIBS round table. Chief integration officer, Cobus Rossouw comments, "Stimulating debate between executives on supply chain and logistics topics is essential to drive improvement. We believe that the round table will provide invaluable opportunities for supply chain and other executives to engage with, and learn from, each other."
For further information, email Lew Roberts at az.oc.sbig@lstreboR.
