TODAY’S supply chains are more complex and volatile than ever before. Despite this, however, many organisations are using material requirements planning (MRP) systems that still plan the same way that they did 50 years ago.
That’s according to Kea Mpane, president of SAPICS, the professional body for supply chain management in Southern Africa, who said that to enable African businesses to benefit from the latest research and cutting-edge ideas in Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP), SAPICS would host the first ever Demand Driven World Africa Conference in Cape Town this year.
“This event is an exciting addition to the annual SAPICS Conference, Africa’s leading event for supply chain professionals. We are delighted to have joined forces with the Demand Driven Institute (DDI), a United States based global organisation that is changing the way that businesses plan, operate, think and evolve,” Mpane expands.
She says that Demand Driven World Africa 2020 would be a showcase for the emerging Demand Driven methodology and will feature case study implementations from Africa, including powerful success stories from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Protea Chemicals.
“It will also include ‘Demand Driven Alley’ in the exhibition, featuring DDMRP compliant software and service providers. There will be educators on hand to discuss the vast array of education options, from Demand Driven Sales and Operations Planning to DDBrix, the hands-on simulation workshop and training solution.”
Founded in 2011, the DDI’s mission is to advance and proliferate Demand Driven strategies and practices in the global industrial community. Co-founders Chad Smith and Carol Ptak literally wrote the books on the Demand Driven method. Together and individually, they have written and co-authored numerous articles and books on Demand Driven principles, finance and information and planning systems.
“Demand Driven essentially means sensing changing customer demand, then adapting planning and production while pulling from suppliers – all in real time,” Smith said. His co-founder, Ptak will be speaking at the event.
“This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for African supply chain professionals to learn from a leading authority in the use of ERP and Supply Chain tools to drive improved bottom line performance,” Mpane said. “Carol’s expertise is well grounded in four decades of practical experience as a successful practitioner, consultant and educator in manufacturing operations. Her pragmatic approach to complex issues and dynamic presentation style has her in high demand at events worldwide.”
Now in its 42nd successful year, the annual SAPICS Conference is Africa’s leading knowledge sharing and networking event for supply chain professionals. It takes place in Cape Town from 21 to 24 June 2020.
