The fast-evolving supply chain sector, where hi-tech innovations were constantly driving customer expectations and immediate guaranteed deliverables, had put paid to the era of lip service, said Karl Thorington, chief business development officer of Eazi Access.
“The race is on to demonstrate and deliver on promises that have historically been pitched by consultants and are now being pitched by regular rental and service provider companies.”
Speaking ahead of the Sapics (Professional Body for Supply Chain Management) Conference & Exhibition at Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town from June 9 to 12, which he will attend, Thorington said: “Customers expect greater uptime, lower running costs, greater reliability through service and maintenance from the solutions they procure, so that they can focus on their core businesses.
“They want proof that you have delivered on what you have promised you would do, or you risk losing the contract. Our innovation in product investment and solutions aims to deliver on this.”
Aptly titled ‘Supply Chain Metamorphosis’, the 46th annual Sapics Conference will be looking at ever-evolving supply-chain trends giving rise to new technologies for the market.
According to Eazi Access, the conference will see hundreds of delegates and exhibitors from around the world gather to network, learn and share knowledge through panel discussions, presentations, exhibitions, workshops, and case studies presented by local and international experts and industry leaders, with the purpose of advancing world-class supply-chain practices in South Africa.
Thorington has over thirty years of operational and strategic experience in logistics, manufacturing and supply chain from blue chip and renowned US multinational companies.
In his senior leadership role, he has looked after end-to-end supply chain design and solutions in the FMCG, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care and cosmetics industry and cold chain frozen foods.
Previously, he was chief operations officer of the work-at-height and material handling enterprise.
Talking about the upcoming conference, Thorington said: “I have attended it over a period spanning nearly twenty years and have watched it evolve in content and format, from the early days where the primary exhibitors ranged from truck-rental companies, warehouse design solutions companies, material handling equipment rental and sales, and consultant services, to technological enhancements that are data-driven to improve productivity, efficiencies and enhance the customer experience while understanding their operational effectiveness.”
Thorington explained that customers had become more savvy through different digital platforms such as LinkedIn and numerous other technological sites that provided insight for their businesses, however there was also a great opportunity to show them how they could improve and enhance their operations and, in tandem, benefit their customers.