Top of mind for supply chain executives: Lean, green and seen

Quartz Events recently asked 50 supply chain executives what concerned them most. Three topics were top of mind: Lean, green and visibility.

The informal survey, taken in September to help Quartz determine topics for the supply chain and materials handling trade shows it organizes, verifies what the organization has been hearing for sometime now.

“These are three areas I see consistently challenging supply chain executives as they focus on profitability, efficiency, and conscientiousness of our impact on the environment,” says Toby Harris, event director for Quartz.

Hardly a month passes now without something like Quartz’s survey to confirm that lean, green and visibility are increasingly important strategic thrusts for the electronics industry. Technology Forecasters has been consulting in these areas for years, and many of you know I wrote a book entitled, “Lean and Green.”

Electronics industry executives have a lot on their plates, but I hope they have room (even with Thanksgiving dinner coming) for these three main courses in their strategic thinking: Lean, green, and visibility.

Here’s an offer to our OEM and EMS clients: In March, I will speak at the Supply Chain Operations Private Exposition (SCOPE) East in Philadelphia on the topic of “‘Reduce to Grow’ is the New Imperative: For Profitability and Environmental Gain.” Other presentations will address lean and visibility.

If you already have lean, green, and visibility on your plate or if you think you should, I recommend you attend. SCOPE is by invitation only for senior executives in supply chain management, logistics and operations. As a speaker, I have 10 complimentary passes for our clients and contacts. Go to the SCOPE East site, click on Attendee Registration, and insert this invitation number: SCE1920

You can find out more about the event there, too. The pass includes access to all sessions and the exposition, and complimentary overnight accommodations at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, plus lunches and a banquet.

How important are lean, green and visibility in your supply chains? Let us know.

Posted by Pamela Gordon, November 16th, 2007