Dispatch 2.11 2.indd - Logistics Association of Australia

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Mentoring expands to Victoria President’s Message Following the success of the LAA/ APICS Supply Chain Mentoring Program in NSW over the past five years, the program is being expanded to Victoria in 2008. Expressions of Interest from experienced professional logisticians and less senior practitioners in Victoria and NSW, to participate as mentors or mentees, in the LAA/APICS 2008 Supply Chain Mentoring Programs are now being sought. Mentoring is a excellent way of ensuring that up and coming supply chain managers and logisticians develop the right skills. The value of the program lies in the fact that it is industry-based. Pairing mentees with mentors from different organisations provides an enhanced learning environment. Opportunities are also provided for participants to meet and discuss the issues and challenges they face. Mentors attend a full day training program facilitated by a professional mentoring trainer. Mentor training is free to participating mentors who volunteer their time and expertise – giving back to the supply chain industry by assisting less senior supply chain professionals. Mentees also attend a two hour induction session – ensuring that they understand the mentoring relationship and are able to establish realistic expectations and set clear goals. At the end of the program, a mentee's knowledge and experience of supply chain issues will have been accelerated by two to three years. ALC ANNUAL FORUM 2008 CANBERRA - 14 &15 FEBRUARY AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL & HOTEL REALM Register now www.austlogistics.com.au EARLY BIRD RATES APPLY Mentoring NSW The NSW Supply Chain Mentoring Program will commence in March 2008. The closing date for formal applications is 4th February, 2008, although expressions of interest would be appreciated at the earliest opportunity. If you would like to participate as a mentee, a mentor or a sponsor in this program in NSW please contact: Luke Holmick/Mike Owen – email Mentoring Victoria The Victorian Supply Chain Mentoring Program will commence in April 2008. The closing date for formal applications is 18th February, 2008, although expressions of interest would be appreciated at the earliest opportunity. Those wishing to participate as a mentee, a mentor or a sponsor, in this program in Victoria, please contact: Luke Holmick/Mike Owen – email mentorvic@laa.asn.au Further information: www.laa.asn/mentorprogram or call the LAA office on 02 9635 3422 The Supply Chain Mentoring Program is made possible by the kind support of Dexion (Australia). Hear from key industry and political figures who will address the Forum including Mark Rowsthorn, Managing Director, Asciano Limited Major General Grant Cavenagh AM, Commander Joint Logistics, Australian Defence Force Grant Fenn, Executive General Manager-Freight Enterprises, Qantas Airways Federal Transport Minister (invited) LINKING TO THE FUTURE Effective Global Supply Chains As we look back and reflect on the achievements of the LAA throughout the year I can only feel that we have added value for our Members and Friends. Brad Harrison Our membership growth demonstrates our relevance and the need for an independent source of professional development. The LAA has successfully delivered events in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane. Much of what the LAA provides is only possible with the support of our Friends and members and those speakers and site visit hosts who give their valuable time. On behalf of the committee and membership I thank you for your ongoing support. Next year several new programs will be launched to increase the value to members. Details of these appear elsewhere in this newsletter. The supply chain and logistics industry within Australia faces a challenge over the next few years, with the price of oil and labour scarcity impacting operating costs and the many issues surrounding environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Is it time for a significant change in the way we interpret input costs and what are our corporate outcomes in terms of short term profit improvement vs long profitability? The debate on infrastructure investment in roads, rail and ports and how best the sustainability goal can be influenced by these investment choices will continue. As individuals we can only influence these outcomes by the incremental gains and improvements we each deliver to our businesses. We hope that our 2008 LAA programs will assist your thought processes in this. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Brad Harrison President, LAA Ltd
NSW EVENT REPORT Road vs Rail The point was also made that rail is a more secure distribution method for hazardous materials or explosives that could be terrorist targets. The discussion brought to the fore some key drivers in the choice of road transport. Left to right: Zoran Cucukovic, Panel Moderator with panel members John Crosbie, Consultant; Peter O'Sullivan, Cement Australia; Wayne Klose, OneSteel; Greg Jones, SCT Logistics; Steven Thacker, Ingram Micro and LAA President, Brad Harrison. A joint LAA/APICS Dinner Meeting in Sydney on 21st November attracted almost 100 members and guests. The evening departed from the normal presentation with a panel discussion on the topical issue of Road vs. Rail. With freight activity in Australia projected to double by 2025, rail could appear to provide the most effective and economic opportunity to satisfy this growth. To date, however, government funding has favoured road over rail. Zoran Cucukovic, Panel Moderator, opened up the discussion with the panel members who all had some interesting thoughts on the matter. The following issues were raised during the session and in the question time that followed. Although rail is generally seen as the appropriate transport medium for industries that handle bulk goods, even within these types of industries, it can pose limitations. For instance, with grain volumes affected by climatic extremes and sites spread right across Australia, the freight task becomes uncertain and difficult to manage. Added to this are problems such as whether particular geographic locations have access to a rail network, an aging rail infrastructure, and the perception that as far as innovation and funding is concerned, rail is the 'poor cousin'. On the positive side, there are some substantial benefits to be gained from rail freight services. Rail is more energy efficient than road transport, it produces less air pollution and fewer greenhouse gases. It is also safer than road and helps to reduce traffic congestion. The size of consignments and customer demand are major factors. For companies that despatch consignments or parcels that number in the thousands every day of the week to disparate destinations, the only viable solution is road freight. Global sourcing and manufacturing off-shore have had a significant impact on the freight task and, a growing population and increased consumerism is causing the freight task to double every 15 years. This situation is compounded by JIT and a 'next day' delivery mentality, or shorttermism, that currently prevails. Social and environmental issues are linked. With rising fuel prices and heightened awareness of climate change, the thought was posed that maybe 'next day' will come to be seen as greedy and delivery in three days will be seen as responsible. Cost was not considered to be a significant factor, value was seen as a more important determinant. As the focus on reducing carbon emissions increases, the environmental impact of thousands of trucks on the road day and night will not be acceptable. Road fleets will be required to make better use of fossil fuels or adopt alternative technologies. What emerged clearly during question time was that, for the supply chain industry, the question is not whether to choose one mode of transport over another. Few supply chains can be exclusive in this. We have to look at our alternatives as supply chain people. It is more than likely that the most efficient and timely supply chain task will encompass both rail and road transport. We thank all panel members for generously contributing their time to take part in this discussion.
Page 1: Issue 2.11 DECEMBER 2007 Published
Page 5 and 6: NSW EVENT REPORT ACCO Australia Sit
Page 7 and 8: Friends of the LAA Annual Golf Day

Dispatch 2.11 2.indd - Logistics Association of Australia

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