Home » UK taking nominations for 2018 ‘Top Innovator’ supply chain award

UK taking nominations for 2018 ‘Top Innovator’ supply chain award

FRAMED 16-02-11 Award Logo-Commonwealth Supply Chain-SASLEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2017) — Submissions are now being accepted for the 2018 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 2017 winner of what is fast becoming a coveted honor was Lexmark International. The award is administered by the advisory committee of the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics’ Supply Chain Forum. It will be presented at the eighth annual Supply Chain Forum, “Transformation in Supply Chain,” on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, in the Woodford Reserve Club at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field.

The forum features keynote speaker Pat Murzyn, director of supply excellence in the Global Supply Network Division of Caterpillar Inc., who has transformed Caterpillar’s procurement and supply processes into world class operations.

“Technology, markets and the world are changing faster and faster and it takes a new kind of leader to survive,” Murzyn said. “It demands a transformer to thrive.”

A transformational project is exactly what this year’s award competition seeks to honor. The nomination process is simple. Candidates must submit a 250-300 word description of their projects. Finalists chosen from the initial round will be notified, and will then present more extensive project descriptions. The deadline for the initial submission is Jan. 15, 2018. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit http://gatton.uky.edu/supply-chain-award.

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

“With evolving technology and changing customer expectations, the supply chain industry is more critical, and more challenging, than ever,” said David W. Blackwell, dean of the Gatton College. “It’s important to honor our companies for their innovative work, and the inventive ways they are enhancing their supply chain processes to not only improve customer service, but return on investment.”

The forum is hosted by the Don and Cathy Jacobs Executive Education Center within the Gatton College. For questions regarding the upcoming Supply Chain Forum or the 2018 Commonwealth Supply Chain Innovation Award, contact Lucy Tepper, conference coordinator, at 859-257-8746 or via email to [email protected].