A jubilant Martin White professed himself “gobsmacked” as he heard Primark’s name announced as the Overall Winner of the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2010.
Since taking over as supply chain director at the retailer, White and his team have built a lean supply chain that the judges felt had the potential to redefine performance for an industry. He said: “The retail side has been winning a lot of acclaim so it’s great that the supply chain side is now getting recognised too.
“I put it as much down to our partners DHL, Ceva and DSV.”
Primark made a strong showing in the Awards last year with a Highly Commended Award from the judges. Further development over the past year clearly pushed it ahead of the other finalists.
Gordon Colborn, chairman of the judging panel said: “Primark are setting the standards in the sector and are out to ‘out-Wal-mart’ Wal-mart in the supply chain.”
Colborn pointed out that Primark runs a £2bn supply chain with just eight people. “Their turnaround times are quite incredible – their supply chain is set up in such a way that products on the catwalk for London Fashion Week today will be in the store the following week.”
The Individual Contribution Award went to Professor Richard Wilding of Cranfield university.
I feel quite humbled and really thankful,” he said. This award is not just for me it’s for everyone in the industry and my colleagues at Cranfield. I have to thank the industry as without them this wouldn’t be possible.”
Professor Wilding is one of the most active academic promoters of the supply chain management field. At Cranfield he has helped develop the Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management into a leading centre of excellence. He also works with European and international companies on logistics and supply chain projects in all sectors.
The Awards were hosted by comedian Rufus Hound at a glittering dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel before an audience of more than 500 industry leaders.
The Awards, organised by Supply Chain Standard in partnership with consultancy PRTM, are the gold standard for supply chain operations in Europe, attracting entries from the world’s leading manufacturers, retailers and supply chain specialists.
What makes the Awards unique is a stringent judging process which focuses on performance against five core disciplines of supply chain.
Each shortlisted company is asked to make a presentation to the panel of judges. Some 60 companies made the shortlist this year reflecting the fact that yet again we had some outstanding entries.
The judging panels include some of our most eminent supply chain professionals:
- Richard Hunt, chairman of the London Ambulance Service.
- Jim Cleary, former vice president of the CILT and former chairman of TIP, Triangle Management Services and George Henderson.
- Chris Sturman, chief executive of the Food Distribution and Storage Federation.
- Dr Mick Jackson, chief executive of Skills for Logistics.
- Birgitte Olsen, head of logistics at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- Professor Martin Christopher of Cranfield University.
This is the fifth year running that the awards have been undertaken in partnership with PRTM, one of the world’s leading consultancy firms. Supporting this year’s Awards were our sponsors: Toyota Material Handling, Crimson &Co, BiS Henderson, Kuehne + Nagel, Unipart Technology Logistics, SupplyChain-Jobs.com, and The Awareness Group.
Quotes of the Night
I feel absolutely fantastic, not just for me but for the guys that pulled this off. It’s a great achievement.
Peter Ernsting, Unilever
It’s a testimony to the team who have put in five years of hard work and had a clear vision throughout.
Steve Wilson, Boots
It’s great to show what teams can do to help the environment.
Jason Keegan, Marks & Spencer
It’s fantastic that so many people are here representing the industry. It’s great to be recognised in this way.
Glyn Williams, British Gas
Shocked and overwhelmed. We never quite expected to win so it’s really great.
Alan March, BSkyB
It’s the first time we’ve entered so it’s great to come away a winner.
Dominic Vertuccio, Indesit
Tweets of the night
Masternaut: European Supply Chain Award 2010 – Winner Indesit Excellence in Application of IT. A valued customer of Masternaut.
1 day ago via web
Karjono: [SCB News] Top supply chain of 2010 revealed: Congratulations to the winners of the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards.
1 day ago via twitterfeed
warrendow: In London for the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel. Shortlisted for the Environmental Improvement Award
1 day ago via LinkedIn
Ruth999: RT @SoMResearch: Prof Richard Wilding awarded at European Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2010 for outstanding contribution to supply chain management.
1 day ago via web
HannahHumphreys: Am feeling very sleepy after attending last night’s European Supply Chain Excellence Awards. @RufusHound was hilarious as the host:-)
1 day ago via TweetDeck
