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: “The Service vs. Cost Conundrum: Creating Supply Chain Value in a Tough Economic Environment.”

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development, University of Arkansas campus. This conference is co-hosted by the Ozark Roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Participants may register online at http://scmr.uark.edu/conference/ or by calling (479) 575-7334.

“Supply chain management constantly strives to improve, not merely maintain, customer service levels and reduce, not just control, costs,” said Jim Crowell, director, Supply Chain Management Research Center. “This conference is designed to help participants with these challenges. We will present insight and practical advice from leading supply chain professionals and academia, looking well beyond just the fundamentals of surviving a down cycle economy.”

Speakers and panelists include:

• Johnnie Dobbs, executive vice president, Logistics & Supply Chain, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

• Janet Kavinoky,  director, Transportation Infrastructure Congressional and Public Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• 2008 Walton College FedEx Freight International Graduate Logistics Case Team

• Wes Kemp, president and chief operating officer, ABF Freight System Inc.

• Pat Reed, executive vice president and chief operating officer, FedEx Freight

• Gary Whicker, senior vice president, Engineering Services, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. 

• J. Rod Franklin,  vice president, Product Development/Contract Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel

• Matthew Lindsey, director, customer service, Unilever

• John Ozment, professor of logistics and Oren Harris Chair, Walton College, University of Arkansas

• Lisa Lowie, director, customer service/logistics, Procter & Gamble

Participants can expect:

• Insights regarding both current and long term economic and government issues relevant to the supply chain

• Supply chain fundamentals necessary to create value for the customer 

• A focus on how to create supply chain value in a tough economic environment, including: cost-to-serve strategies; a case study demonstrating when lowest cost per unit marketplace leadership becomes a strategy for losing market share; amplifying cost savings with “green is lean” strategies; and “wonderment” — looking outside traditional supply chain fundamentals to create value.

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.