BVL Carolinas Chapter is Launched: More than 100 participants at Volvo in Greensboro.

The first inaugural meeting of the BVL International Carolinas Chapter was held on August 12, 2013 at the Volvo facility in Greensboro, NC.  The meeting was a great success, with well over 100 individuals participating.  The meeting was kicked off by a business meeting, and I had the distinction of being elected as the Chairman of the newly formed Carolinas chapter, with Larry Basil (VP from APS Logistics, far left) serving as the Vice Chairman.  The meeting was also attended by Stefan Wolff, 4Flow Logistics and Board member (center) and Thomas Wimmer, Chairman of BVL International (far right).  The meeting was hosted by Volvo, represented by Jan Lundegard, (second from right below).

The move by BVL to create the chapter in the Carolinas is not only a recognition of the area as a supply chain hub but also a move to expand the organization’s footprint into North America. The organization will showcase the innovations of private sector companies such as Volvo but also highlight local assets such as the N.C. Center for Global Logistics and the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative at NC State University.

BVL’s Carolinas chapter is specifically designed to create a membership base across the Carolinas and bring together supply chain logistics professionals, educators, businesses and students to share best practices and network.  It is envisioned that the chapter will have meetings held across the Carolinas, including RTP, Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Greenville, SC.

I presented an overview of the Global Logistic Trends and Strategies report.  In my presentation, I emphasized how the world is becoming a much more complex place, with volatility, risk, product complexity, and infrastructural challenges occurring all across the global logistics network.  No sooner did I mention this in my speech, but I picked up my Wall Street Journal today and found a great example.  Computer snags are leaving goods stranded in a New York port, as real-time interactions between the system components in the container yard are causing problems.  The software was intended to improve routing of cargo from ships to trucks to trains, a process known as “intermodal integration”.  Unfortunately, the system is failing miserably, delaying the delivery of consumer goods needed for all the kiddies going back to school and the associated retail sales.  The technology is used in 244 terminals, and the National Retail Federation has issued an appeal for help….this is yet another example of how a single blip in the system can ripple and cause unexpected disruptions throughout a supply chain network.  It also demonstrates another principle, that of having people on the ground who know how to deal with these situations, using their sound judgement, analytical and problem solving abilities, and solid teamwork to address what is a potentially disastrous situation.

At the BVL meeting, we also heard from Jan Lundegard, who provided a living example of how global complexity is at work in Volvo’s supply chains.  The focus in this case was on the aftermarket, and the need to be able to deal with complex logistics issues, and the ability to supply millions of different part numbers to support the massive fleet of Volvo and Mack trucks on the road today, all within 24 hours.  The challenges of doing so are not small, and the Volvo organization operates in countries all around the world.  The discussion provided even more fodder to the study’s results, with Jan emphasizing that “our people are what enables us to meet out customer’s needs”.

All in all, a great meeting.  We look forward to more meetings of BVL Carolinas in the near future!