Sustainability Key Topic at Supply Chain Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is sponsoring a one-day conference for the supply chain/logistics industry, in conjunction with the Ozark Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

The event will be held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5. Participants may register online at http://scmr.uark.edu/conference or call (479) 575-7334.

The agenda includes:

• In Search of Sustainability - Gene Kahn, vice president for Sustainable Development, General Mills

• 2016: The Future Value Chain - Chrys Tarvin, vice president of Global Supply Chain, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

• Sustainability as Strategy - Jon Johnson, associate professor of management, Sam. M Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas

• Carbon Markets and the Triple Bottom Line - Greg Spencer, Blue Source LLC;

• Sustainability Brings Vitality to Life - Fred M. Berkheimer, vice president for Logistics, Unilever USA

• Supply Chain Sustainability Integration of Forward and Reverse Value Chains - Steven South, president of Reverse Logistics for GENCO

• A Long Term View of Energy and Sustainability - Mark Kerstens, director of Strategic Cooperation, BP-Alternative Energy Group

• Drive to Zero - Chuck Thomas, Global Supply Chain leader, Dow Chemical Co.

“As we developed the conference, we wanted to share the importance of environmental sustainability to strategic supply chain thinking,” said Jim Crowell, director of the Supply Chain Management Research Center. “The speakers will discuss how their companies have done exactly that. Cost savings and innovation, the key elements of traditional supply chain thinking, are important tenants of environmentally sustainable strategies as well.”

 Sustainability has progressed from just a "socially responsible environmental idea" to an important strategy to access new customer markets, supply chain cost savings and productivity enhancements.  The conference speakers will provide examples and insights into the future of environmentally and economically sustainable supply chains.  

The Supply Chain Management Research Center is a direct link between the private sector and the University of Arkansas supply chain resources. It sponsors activities that promote both the academic and general body of knowledge encompassing supply chain management. It also supports student-focused activities centered on recruitment, retention and graduation.