Logistics Manager Magazine

The Supply Chain Council has had a significant impact on supply chain thinking globally as a result of the development of SCOR – the Supply Chain Operations Reference model.

So the news that it is merging with the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) will have a wider impact than just the United States.

The Supply Chain Council was created in 1996 by PRTM (now part of PwC) and AMR Research (now part of Gartner). The SCOR model, is based on five key management processes Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Return. It has been taken up by many major organisations as the basis of their supply chain strategies.

APICS is a professional association with more than 37,000 members and 250 international partners. Member designations include: APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), and APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

So what will be the impact of the merger. APICS intends to integrate Supply Chain Council with its existing operations. Abe Eshkenazi will remain the chief executive officer of APICS with Joseph Francis, executive director of Supply Chain Council, serving as executive director of the APICS Foundation.

Eshkenazi said: “APICS will continue to provide membership, certification, and training for companies and individuals. The APICS Foundation, as the APICS Supply Chain Council, will continue as part of the APICS corporate structure, but as a separate entity. The APICS Supply Chain Council will focus on advancing supply chain and operations management innovation through research, educational programs, and workforce development. It is the research arm of the organisation, and SCC products line up nicely with the objectives of the foundation’s activities.”

One of the key reasons for the merger, according to the two organisations, is that it strengthens their global competitive position.

“The unified entity offers greater resources and creates more opportunities to distinctively serve members, customers, corporations and partners in over 100 countries around the world.

“The combined product portfolio offers significant cross-sell and global expansion opportunities.”

And that sounds like we are about to see the new organisation become much more active globally.

Malory Davies