Program 2019

October 21-22; Houston, TX

7:35 AM - 8:40 AM

Registration & Refreshments

8:50 AM - 9:25 AM - Keynote

IoT & Technology

Estée Lauder's Digital Supply Chain Strategy and Transformation

Uwe Bräsecke, Vice President Strategy and Transformation, Chief of Staff, Estée Lauder Companies

Estee Lauder’s journey into Digital Transformation, began with the typical challenges of many organizations - Given all the acronyms being thrown about (AI, MI, RPA, Robotics, E2E Visibility, Control Towers, Sense & Respond, etc.)
  • Where do we start?
  • Where do we go?
  • What do we mean by Digital?
  • How do we create the vision?
  • Hear about how Estee Lauder determined their landscape (scope & scale); defined key capabilities, and established Key Enablers for a coordinated strategic view of the future.

9:25 AM - 10:00 AM - Keynote

Collaboration & Transparency

Collaboration and Transparency: “Changing Tires on a Bus Moving 70 Miles Per Hour”

Keith Woods, Director of Supply Chain – Coca Cola North America, The Coca Cola Company

  • Over the past couple of years, Coca Cola (one of the most recognizable brands on the planet) went through a historic re-franchising of their bottling network. This seismic change reverberated throughout all aspects of the business particularly in the area of the supply chain. My presentation will discuss how the company was able to do this and for the most part keep it transparent to an everchanging and demanding customer

10:00 AM - 10:35 AM - Solution Spotlights

Logistics & Inventory Management

Carrier Compliance: How Multi-Carrier Shipping Solutions Connect You to your Carriers

Ken Fleming, President & CSO, Logistyx Technologies

To meet same-day/next-day delivery demands worldwide, shippers often contract with several different carriers - each with their own technical capabilities.  In this webinar, Logistyx President Ken Fleming will:
  • Review the common challenges associated with carrier compliance, including cross-border and hazmat documentation
  • Provide insight into how shippers can leverage technology to achieve carrier compliance in a global, multi-carrier shipping environment
  • Share best practices for the role of the carrier, the role of the software provider, and the role of the shipper in carrier compliance
  • Build a business case for multi-carrier shipping technology based on the benefits of seamless carrier compliance

10:35 AM - 11:25 AM

iSolve & Networking Refreshments

11:25 AM - 12:00 PM - Case Studies

Logistics & Inventory Management

Building Blocks of Global Operations Transformation

Marc Rands, Vice President, Global Operations, Materion Corporation

  • Design the Organization to create an environment of trust and accountability:  Alignment & Change Management
  • Understand the importance strategic goals play in a Global Manufacturing Organization with clear methods to drive, measure, and sustain best-in-class performance
  • Implementation and alignment of performance indicators – internal and customer facing – as expectations evolve and change
  • Utilizing a Management Operating System to tell the complete story of operational goals, values, performance today and ensuring achievement of future strategies and plans

Leadership & Workforce Development

When Cultures Collide: Implications on the Supply Chain Strategy After a Corporate Merger, Acquisition or Fusion.

Marco Padilla-Ordonez, Global Director, Supply Chain Management, GST Autoleather

Nowadays, business environment is full of constant changes. One of these changes has to do with mergers, acquisitions, fusions, buy outs, etc, where one company acquires, or it is absorbed by another organization. As expected, this brings an important number of effects into the brand-new organization, because now, it is not Company A or Company B, but a new organization, “C”, which has elements of both companies and new ones that will be just emerging.  

This session intends to talk about what are the main challenges experienced in such business transactions, focused on the supply chain side of the business. Examples will be given, and also ideas on how these challenges can be overcome or alleviated, aiming to achieve the emergence of a successful new corporate culture.

12:05 PM - 12:40 PM - Case Studies

Logistics & Inventory Management

Global Efficiency Transformation – Strategic Sourcing

Axel Bjornsson, Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement, Össur Americas

  • Support profitable growth and leverage size through strategic sourcing. How does the Strategic Sourcing Initiative support and play a key role in an aggressive growth strategy at Ossur? 
  • Successful sourcing initiative must be built on solid foundation where processes, systems and people across all functions must align. What have we learned? What would we do differently?

Collaboration & Transparency

Indirect Spend Strategies

Kate Pison, Director of Global Transport, Interstate Batteries

  • What is Indirect Spend and How to Find It in the Organization
  • Common ways Indirect Items “hide” extra costs
  • Vendor Management and Negotiation Strategies to reduce spend
  • Tracking and Benchmarking Indirect Spend

12:40 PM - 1:40 PM

Networking Lunch



Roundtable led by BCI Global

Manufacturing Footprint and Supply Chain Optimization in Uncertain Times

Moderator: René Buck, CEO, BCI Global


Roundtable led by Competitive Solutions

Process Based Leadership®: Deploying a Robust Tier Management System that Guarantees Clarity, Connectivity, and Consistency

Moderator: Shane Yount, President, Competitive Solutions, Inc.



Roundtable led by Logistyx

Leverage Business Intelligence in Parcel Shipping to Improve Customer Satisfaction and Yield Cost Savings

Ken Fleming, President, Logistyx

1:40 PM - 2:15 PM - Keynote

Leadership & Workforce Development

Integrated Business Planning

Todd Stillwell, Vice President, Supply Chain, Chamberlain Group

  • Per Oliver Wight, “Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is a holistic business planning process that extends the principles of S&OP throughout the supply chain, product and customer portfolios, customer demand and strategic planning, to deliver one seamless management process”.  Powerful stuff, indeed.
  • But, not all organizations are created equally.  How do you assess your organizational culture and readiness for change for a successful implementation of Integrated Business Planning?  Do you go for the Big Bang approach of a full implementation?  Or, do you introduce the concepts through a grass roots approach?
  • This session will explore the benefits of Integrated Business Planning and how to create the most impactful implementation process for your organization.  Change management, data and analytics and behaviors are just as critical to an IBP implementation as process and content are.  While focusing on moving your organization from S&OP to IBP, the discussions and lessons learned will provide participants with an approach that is applicable to many organizational transformation opportunities. 

2:15 PM - 2:50 PM - Solution Spotlights

Leadership & Workforce Development

Total Cost of Ownership and the Benefits of Going Digital

Rick Diefenderfer, Partner, CGN Global

Full session abstract tbc

2:55 PM - 3:30 PM - Case Studies

Leadership & Workforce Development

The Development of Bombardier's Procurement Academy

Shauna Gamble, Vice President, Procurement and Supply Chain Bombardier Aviation, SCMP, MBA, Bombardier

  • Shauna Gamble – VP of Aviation Procurement and Supply Chain has developed a learning academy for Bombardier Aviation Procurement.
  • During her session, Shauna will provide context on scope, scale and structure of this innovative 3-year program and provide information to assist you in improving your own internal recruitment and retention policies. 
  • Shauna will share some of the challenges faced in initiating this program, and results to date. 
  • Shauna will also discuss the strategy and steps behind the selection of training partners.

Logistics & Inventory Management

Lead Time as a Competitive Weapon

Geoffrey Fry, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Cree Lighting

One company’s journey to transform from a forecast and build-to-stock process of fulfilling customer demand to a rapid make-to-order process, integrating both the supplier-facing supply chain and the customer-facing supply chain, resulting in an improved customer experience.

3:30 PM - 4:20 PM

iSolve & Networking Refreshments

4:20 PM - 4:55 PM - Keynote

Leadership & Workforce Development

Steps Needed to Create a Sustainable Supply Chain: Focusing on Decarbonizing the Supply Chain to Create More Sustainable Value Chains

Virginia Covo, Global Director, Sustainability Supply Chain, Anheuser- Busch InBev

  • Full Session Abstract TBC

4:55 PM - 5:40 PM - Panel Discussion

Security & Risk Management

How can Developing a Robust Supply Chain Help You to Overcome these Ever-Changing Risks and Demands?

Keith Woods, Director of Supply Chain – Coca Cola North America, The Coca Cola Company

Axel Bjornsson, Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement, Össur Americas

Marco Padilla-Ordonez, Global Director, Supply Chain Management, GST Autoleather

  • How to improve internal processes and continuity in order to create, and adapt, a robust supply chain to the evolving corporate strategy
  • The market needs are constantly shifting, and leveraging the IBP business process to embrace uncertainty and anticipate decision making is increasingly a competitive advantage
  • Ensuring optimal costs whilst meeting demands in quality, quantity and delivery is becoming more challenging

5:45 PM - 6:50 PM

3rd Annual American Manufacturing & Supply Chain Awards 2019



Join us for the 3rd Annual American Manufacturing & Supply Chain Awards Ceremony. All attendees are invited to enjoy a complimentary drinks reception during the Awards presentation.

Nominations for the following awards are NOW CLOSED:
  • American Supply Chain Leadership Award 2019
  • American Manufacturing Leadership Award 2019              

We are happy to announce the Award Winner for the American Supply Chain Leadership Award 2019,

To see, please click here

8:00 AM - 8:55 AM

Registration & Refreshments

9:00 AM - 9:35 AM - Keynote

Leadership & Workforce Development

Turning Passion Into Profit: The Transformation Journey That Can Save Your Business

Ed Magee, EVP Operations, Fender

  • Establishing a vision of change that drives innovation and allows breakthrough performance
  • Creating a culture of Continuous Improvement that generates cost savings and boosts productivity
  • Embracing Continuous Learning as the only real competitive advantage

9:35 AM - 10:10 AM - Keynote

Collaboration & Transparency

Optimizing Your Supply Chain Through Organizational Structure, Communication, and Process Discipline

Eric Boen, Vice President, Planning, Allocation and Replenishment, The Exchange

Jeremy Boyd, Vice President, Supply Chain Optimization, The Exchange

  • Change your organizational structure to positively impact the supply chain operations and build trust
  • Re-ignite traditional communication methods to flow information across the aisle and break down information silos
  • Build and deploy tactical teams to target supply chain problem areas
  • Develop a governance model to identify and highlight gaps in process, inconsistency in decisions, and unnecessary supply chain costs

10:10 AM - 10:45 AM - Keynote

Collaboration & Transparency

Supply Chain Lean and Continuous Improvement

Lanny Million, Chief Supply Chain Officer, IEWC Global Solutions

  • Launch a Lean Continuous Improvement philosophy
  • Structure your organization and team for a successful implementation
  • Further your business strategies with a coordinated LCI effort
  • Introduce effective tools and concepts to your organization

10:45 AM - 11:35 AM

iSolve & Networking Refreshments

11:40 AM - 12:15 PM - Keynote

Logistics & Inventory Management

Inbound Freight Visibility and Carrier Performance Management; Options to Deliver Value to Your Organization

Greg Toornman, Global Vice-President Materials, Logistics, and Demand Planning, AGCO Corporation

  • Learn out how AGCO Corporation has created sustainable relationships with service providers and carriers in order to proactively identify potential late deliveries and maximize customer experiences.
  • The cost to implement and maintain the latest track and trace innovative approaches have a number of benefits as well as a set of challenges and risks, find out where track and trace makes the most sense for supply chain as well as other options to drive performance.
  • Learn how a risk management tool can provide real time insight to in transit shipments.

12:20 PM - 12:55 PM - Case Studies

Leadership & Workforce Development

Using Apprenticeship Programs: Solving Workforce Challenges of Finding and Attracting Talent

Miquela Craytor, Executive Director, Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Council, New York City Small Business Services

Manufacturing and Industrial companies are struggling to find and attract talent. To overcome these changes, the Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Council (MaiiC) of New York City launched ApprenticeNYC. In this session you will learn how MaiiC companies have worked with the city to address:
  • The lack of awareness to the opportunities of the Industrial and Manufacturing sectors
  • Ways to mitigate the pain points of training entry level talent
  • Adopting best practices to retain new talent for on the job training through the apprenticeship model

Security & Risk Management

Counterfeit Goods in the Supply Chain

Rosemary Coates, Executive Director, Reshoring Institute

  • The problem of counterfeiting is a multi-headed global monster—and it’s growing
  • The risk of a consumer purchasing counterfeit goods in the United States or the EU is roughly one in 20—and it gets bigger each year
  • About $2 trillion worth of counterfeit goods will be sold worldwide in 2020
  • Are there counterfeit goods in your supply chain? How can you tell and what can you do about it?

12:55 PM - 1:55 PM

Networking Lunch

1:55 PM - 2:30 PM - Keynote

Collaboration & Transparency

Managing Supply Chain Opportunities

Ananth Iyer, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, Purdue University

  • I will focus on managing short term opportunities for supply chains, that often come with high margins
  • These opportunities may arise from new products, competitor disruptions, weather related challenges, demand surges, technology based opportunities etc
  • Analysis of examples of successful execution with use cases where supply chain execution delivered superior performance over a very short time window will provide motivating contexts
  • I will then  provide a framework based on flexibility, agility and real options (FAR) to can ensure that supply chains can seize such opportunities
  • Given this framework, the implication for design choices for specific aspects across the supply chain will be discussed

2:30 PM - 3:05 PM - Keynote

Leadership & Workforce Development

A Transformation Story – Using a Strengths-Based Approach to Organizational Excellence

Kirsten Donisi, Program Manager of Operational Excellence - Global Procurement & Logistics, Johns Manville | A Berkshire Hathaway Company

Marcia Howes, Vice President of Global Procurement and Logistics, Johns Manville | A Berkshire Hathaway Company

  • Focusing on individual and team strengths to increase engagement and results
  • Recognizing and rewarding existing talent while strengthening core supply chain
  • Shifting from tactical fire-fighting to strategic thinking and operational excellence
  • Transitioning a siloed organization into a high-performing matrixed team

7:45 AM - 1:00 PM

NASA Johnson Space Center Tour

We have two exclusive guided tours, each taking two groups of 30 people.

The Private Tram Tour (Price: $95 per person)
This exclusive tour includes a 90 minute Private Tram Tour around the NASA Johnson Space Center and an all-day admission ticket to the Center. Be one of the first daily visitors to the Historic Mission Control. On the tour, you will be able see the Astronaut Training Facility and the Rocket Park, where you can see a life size Saturn V Rocket aircraft.

Exclusive Guided Tour of Space Center (Price: $150 per person)
As well as a 90 minute Private Tram Tour and an all-day admission ticket, this option also includes a 60 minute personal tour of the Space Center. This tour has been specifically designed for our summit, looking particularly at the Manufacturing and Supply Chain processes at the Center.

Also, get exclusive access to the Independence Plaza that has a full size 747 carrier and hear about the engineering processes that go into creating and running the shuttles.

Discover the intriguing details of flown spacecraft on display and learn more about the innovations NASA is making today to achieve the feats of tomorrow.

This option also includes a lunch at the Zero-G Diner. Fuel your space adventure by selecting from deli sandwiches, salads, vegetarian meals, pizza or hamburgers!


Please note: There are only 30 places on each of these tours and they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.