Managing the MRO Supply Chain

Description

Having the right spare parts in inventory at the right time is a crucial factor in keeping the entire supply chain running smoothly. Too often, though, purchasing and inventory management decisions are being made at the last minute, on an “as needed” basis, denying manufacturers the opportunities to include MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) procurement in their strategic supply chain planning. It can also result in overspending on MRO parts and higher-than-necessary inventory carrying costs.

One option that manufacturers are opting for is to work with a third-party MRO supplier that specializes in the procurement and management of individual parts. Such a strategy can allow a manufacturer to do what it does best -- develop and make products -- while the MRO specialist can offer significant savings in cost and time to manufacturers.

Attend this IndustryWeek-hosted webinar featuring an expert from MSC Industrial Supply Co., and Dave Blanchard, senior editor of IndustryWeek and author of the book Supply Chain Management Best Practices (published by John Wiley & Sons). These presenters will discuss the results of a recent IW/MSC Industrial survey of manufacturing executives that identifies the most pressing market pressures that manufacturers are facing, as well as the strategies these companies are taking to respond more quickly and effectively to MRO situations. You’ll learn how these executives prioritize their supply chain needs, how these decisions are being acted on, and an exclusive look at the missed opportunities of 2012 as well as the biggest opportunities for growth in 2013.

Speakers

Dave Blanchard
Senior Editor
IndustryWeek

Editor Dave Blanchard provides the IndustryWeek audience his expertise in lean supply chain, reporting on topics from logistics, procurement and inventory management to warehousing and distribution. He also specializes in business finance news and analysis, writing on such topics as corporate finance and tax, cost management, governance, risk and compliance, and budgeting and reporting.

Dave is also the chief editor of Penton Media’s Business Finance and editorial director of Material Handling & Logistics.

With over 25 years of experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2010), and is a frequent speaker at industry events. Dave is an award-winning journalist and has been twice named one of the nation’s top columnists by the American Society of Business Publications Editors.

Dave received his B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University, and was a high school teacher prior to his joining the publishing industry. He is married and has two daughters.

David Collier
Vice President, Supply Chain
MSC Industrial Supply Co.

David Collier is MSC Industrial Supply Co.’s Vice President of Supply Chain. David joined MSC in July 2011 and has responsibility for the company’s forecasting/demand planning, purchasing, replenishment, and inventory management of Customer Fulfillment Center and branch inventories. He also leads all activities associated with the strategic sourcing of indirect materials. Before joining MSC, David held similar executive-level responsibilities with General Parts, Inc. (CARQUEST), a privately held multi-billion dollar distributor of automotive aftermarket product with over 750,000 SKUs and 3300 retail locations. Prior to General Parts, David provided general management and supply chain strategy consulting services to organizations in a variety of industries at two separate management consulting firms, Capgemini and ScottMadden. His areas of specialization include demand and supply planning, strategic sourcing, sales and operations planning, operations management, and business process improvement. Prior to his consulting experience, David worked at McMaster-Carr Supply Company, a multi-billion dollar industrial supply firm. During his time at McMaster-Carr, David held various management positions in operations, corporate development, and project management. David earned a B.A. from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business.