Supply Chain Days – November 1 & 2 2016 – Tilburg University
On November 1 & 2, the Supply Chain Days were organized by Asset | Strategy & Logistics. This event has a long history within this study association. However, this year there was a change in the concept. Due to popular demand from companies, the previously named Supply Chain Day was transformed in the Supply Chain Days, a multiple day event where business meets student life.
November 1, Slimstock, Fabory & Bol.com
On November 1 the program started with a lunch and the participating companies. Students were invited for this lunch based on their CV that they sent prior to the event. The participating companies had made a difficult selection and they ended up with only the best, and most wanted students at their table. This lunch gives students as well as companies the change to talk to one another prior to the cases, which has a large advantage to both parties involved. The three participating companies on this first day were no other than big names Bol.com, Fabory and Slimstock. After an interesting and delicious lunch it was time for students to dust off their basic supply chain knowledge, and start working on the cases.
However, before working on the cases it was time for the official opening to the Supply Chain Days. The opening included a small speech by the chairman of our association and coordinator of the organizing committee, introductions of the companies, and an opening symposium about ‘Big Data’ presented by academic director of the Master Supply Chain Management, dr. ir. W. van der Valk, with help of dr. H. Weigand, academic director of the Master Information Management.
With this food for thought, students went to their appointed company of choice. All participating companies had and interesting look on supply-chain related cases. Where Slimstock chose to show people the bullwhip effect with the ‘Beer Game’, Bol.com chose to explain a real-life supply chain problem. Bol.com suffers from a lot of damaged returns, which are too damaged to sell again. Students were asked to come up with different solutions to prevent this problem and how to deal with all these damaged returns. Fabory also provided students with a real-life and practical case. Fabory wanted to know, with an eye on the future, how they could best design and adapt their current supply chain strategy to be on the same level, or better, in the coming years. The students at every company all got at least a full hour to come up with solutions. This way is a productive and educational day for both students as the participating companies.
November 2, FrieslandCampina & PostNL
With the first day setting an amazing example for the second day, it was time to start the second day successfully as well. This day had the same set-up as the first day, with the exception that there was not another symposium. FrieslandCampina and PostNL traveled to Tilburg University on November 2 to meet future potential supply chain talents. This day a CV based selection was included as well. This gave students, and recruiters, the chance to ask questions and solve pressing issues.
Despite the fact that the symposium did not take place on that day, the companies did get the opportunity during the official opening of the day, to introduce themselves, the company and possible traineeships. FrieslandCampina kept the subject of the case close-to-home with the question: ‘What do we, as FrieslandCampina, need to do with the extra produced milk that is leftover due to the abolishment of the milk quotum?’ FrieslandCampina, as they told us, is required to take all the produced milk from the farmers. A very fascinating, and present-day issue.
PostNL had chosen for a different approach to the case. They provided the students with a very practical case that is more focused on the cost side of the business. PostNL wondered if they should say yes to a very attractive deal during their busiest mail period. The deal should bring a lot extra cash flow but is also a strain on the already tight capacity in the December month. The participating students got data and multiple scenarios provided to them by PostNL, and it was up to them to come up with the best solution and the best fit with the vision of PostNL. The solutions ranged from a warehouse in China to strict supplier terms.
Every case round, on November 1 as well as on November 2, had a winning group of students. The winners were chosen by the company itself and they were rewarded with eternal glory. The efforts of the students of both days were also rewarded with an informal network drink where both recruiters and students were present. This was the perfect way to ask any remaining questions in an informal setting.
All in all it can be concluded that the Supply Chain Days were once again a success!
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