Reverse Logistics - Logistics Quarterly

TEAMWORK
At the beginning of this year I began to meet with members of
LQ’s Advisory Board to talk about what was required to make
an important move - to plan a promising transborder publishing
venture. The result was an LQ business plan and this inaugural
International Edition of LQ, comprised of an equal mix of
editorial written by U.S. and Canadian logistics practitioners.
This International edition LQ continues to build on its tradition
of professionals writing for professionals, but with an
enhanced transborder and interdisciplinary focus to reflect our
Board’s perspective and direction.
LQ’s Board, comprised of professionals from different sectors,
organizations and regions, have worked together and
helped us to strike out in new directions to reap tremendous
gains that are, ultimately, for our readership. I would like to take
this opportunity to extend my appreciation to LQ’s Board members
who have helped us to grow. In addition, this year we are
honored to have several new members join LQ’s Board. (Page 11).
Clearly, there are unparalleled opportunities for business
leadership in today’s transborder and international trade environment.
Global sourcing, procurement and manufacturing,
the expansion of brands from country to regions, to honing
global logistics practices, are only a few of these many opportunities.
LQ’s publishing and editorial strategies are designed to
mirror these realities and provide you with the information you
require, prepared by your peers in this exciting field.
The importance of such an international perspective was
also evidenced and emphasized during the Council of Logistics
Management’s (CLM) Annual Conference held in 2003 in
Chicago in several sessions that I attended. In particular, the
importance and call for the highest caliber of global logistics
was highlighted by Phillip Diniz, director of Export Business
Support and Demand Planning, Kraft Foods International.
After all, Kraft has international sales to 150 countries, and
global councils involving logistics and manufacturing executives
play vital roles at the boardroom tables in the quest to continue
to build brand equity, globally.
We begin this special edition with a cover feature that should
be of particular interest to logistics practitioners and CFOs
alike, irrespective of their place of domicile this holiday season,
entitled: “Creating Value Through Reverse Logistics, written by
Associate Proffessor Diane Mollenkopf of Michigan State
University and Howard Weathersby, Senior Vice President,
Logistics Services for TrenStar, Inc.
We are pleased to have other senior level American contributors,
such as Mike Bernos, senior manager of corporate communications,
TNT Logistics North America, whose article
“Supply Chain Analyses Versus Synthesis,” offers an insightful
perspective and approach that is distinguishing practitioners
LogisticsQuarterly.com
and companies in our global village. Rebecca Jasper, president
of JASPERsolutions LLC, writes about a hypothetical dilemma
involving an automotive company based in the United States.
“What Every CFO Should Know,” reflects the interdisciplinary
character coloring the practice of supply chain management
and shows how conventional approaches to logistics can imperil
a company’s global position. We also welcome Dr. Matthew
Myers, University of Tennessee, who takes stock of how
Logistics Service Quality components can reduce costs and bolster
revenues in a global logistics practice.
On the cusp of a new year of transborder trade, it’s timely
and helpful that Tom Nightingale, vice president, Schneider
National, shows us the pros and cons of new hours of service
legislation likely to be impactful to transportation practices on
both sides of the 49th parallel.
LQ has an equally impressive roster of Canadian executives
contributing to this edition. Heather Cartwright, CEO of
Logixsource Consulting Ltd., writes on behalf of the Logistics
Institute, providing a personalized account of leadership in
logistics. Jim Davidson, president, iWheels Dedicated Logistics,
has written an insightful review of online auctions in the automotive
sector, with his aptly entitled article: “What Doesn’t Kill
You Makes You Stronger.” Jim Ellis, practice director, Supply
Chain Management, BearingPoint LP, takes stock of an industry
that has often been in the media spotlight across North
America and, in this case, is exemplary in its focus on a problem
that’s prevalent in other economic sectors. Jim’s article, entitled,
“How Can You Reduce Costs and Grow Revenue in North
America’s Utility Sector?,” is the first of a five-part series. Dale
Ross, vice president Logistics for Effem Inc., the Canadian division
of Mars Inc., has written an editorial that focuses on the
underlying rationale for an exciting new initiative to develop a
Canadian Ph.D. program in supply chain management.
In the future you can look forward to finding more stimulating
ideas in LQ, more often; LQ will be published with an
increased frequency in 2004 and, in tandem with this, LQ has
dramatically increased its transborder subscribers and readership.
In conclusion, I am particularly appreciative of the direction
and comments provided by Nicholas Seiersen, to ensure
the editorial quality of this special transborder edition, and
Martin White for his insights and direction. Promoting innovation
and growth also involves presentation and in this edition
you can see our new Creative Director, Allan Craig, has afforded
our editorial environment with a richer and more sophisticated
presentation.
Peace and Prosperity,
Fred Moody, Editor and Co-Publisher
EDITORIAL
LQ winter 2003/2004
7