UK to Award Top Innovator with 2016 Supply Chain Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 11, 2016) — Submissions are being accepted until March 1 for the 2016 Commonwealth Supply Chain Innovation Award competition, sponsored by SAS. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated operational excellence in supply chain management as evidenced in a recently completed supply chain improvement project.

The first winner of what is fast becoming a coveted salute was Lexmark International in 2015. The award is administered by the advisory committee of the Supply Chain Forum, which will be held March 31 and April 1 this year. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit http://gatton.uky.edu/eec/supplychain/scfaward/index.php.

An effective supply chain is a key component to business success, ensuring a product or service moves efficiently from supplier to customer.

"It’s an exciting time to be in the supply chain industry, and it’s especially exciting to honor one of our companies for their innovative work in the field with the 'Commonwealth Supply Chain Innovation Award',” said David W. Blackwell, dean of the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics. “It’s great to see the inventive ways companies are enhancing their supply chain processes to not only improve customer service, but return on investment. I look forward to seeing all the entries this year." 

The forum, which is hosted by the Don and Cathy Jacobs Executive Education Center within the Gatton College, is now in its sixth year. The theme for the upcoming forum is "Winning Supply Chains: Integrating People and Technology." Lora Cecere, the president and CEO of Supply Chain Insights, will offer the keynote address entitled "Making the Digital Pivot."

The regular registration fee for the conference is $225 per person. However, organizers are offering one-third off that price from now through Feb. 29, making the cost $150.

The Supply Chain Forum events kickoff with a networking reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in the new Gatton College building on campus. The forum itself goes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 1, at The Grand Reserve, located at 903 Manchester Street in downtown Lexington.

To register or for more information on the forum, go to http://gatton.uky.edu/eec/Index.php.

“We’re thrilled to announce we’ve secured more sponsors than we’ve ever had, including SAS Institute Inc., Brown Forman, Blue World Supply Chain Consulting, LLC and LBX,” said Joe Labianca, executive director of the Gatton College's Don and Cathy Jacobs Executive Education Center. “This will ensure the quality of the event with nationally-recognized speakers like our keynote, Lora Cecere.”

For any questions regarding the upcoming Supply Chain Forum or the 2016 Commonwealth Supply Chain Innovation Award, contact Lucy Tepper, conference coordinator, at 859-257-8746, or via email: lucy.tepper@uky.edu.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu; Ann Mary Quarandillo, 859-257-0750; annmary.q@uky.edu.