‘SA challenges echo global supply chain issues’

ALAN PEAT THE SA supply chain industry is keeping pace with global trends and practices, according to local delegates who attended the recent conference and exposition of the association for operations management in America (Apics) in Orlando, Florida in the US. According to Cobus Rossouw and Reuben Badana, directors of the SA sister body, Sapics, the most significant finding was that “we in SA are not lagging behind the rest of the world”. “It was also interesting to note that the American – and the global supply chain community represented at Apics – are facing similar challenges to the SA industry,” said Rossouw. These include cross-functional process integration; leveraging value from information technology; and continuing pressure to reduce supply chain costs.