Notebook

Pienaar receives Distinguished Service Award

South African consultant Dr. Abré Pienaar has been honored with CSCMP's 2013 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) for his contributions to the discipline and profession of supply chain and logistics management.

You could think of him as a supply chain "missionary." From the very beginning of his career, South African consultant Dr. Abré Pienaar has been dedicated to spreading knowledge of supply chain management across the globe. These efforts earned him CSCMP's 2013 Distinguished Service Award (DSA), presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the discipline and profession of supply chain and logistics management.

Pienaar's career spans practical business experience implementing engineering, manufacturing, and business systems, as well as roles as a university lecturer, executive director of a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company, and author.

In 2002 he founded iPlan, a South Africa-based consulting firm with a global reach that focuses on supply chain management. More than 10 years later, his company has expanded to become that country's preeminent supply chain consulting organization.

Pienaar is widely recognized by industry leaders not just for his innovative ideas but also for his ability to apply innovations to solve real-world problems. "Abré Pienaar represents the very spirit of CSCMP's Distinguished Service Award," said Rick Blasgen, CSCMP's president and chief executive officer. "He is a champion of innovation and creativity, converting ideas into actions, and helping others to do the same. His vast and significant contributions have left an indelible mark on our industry."

It is this challenge of helping others apply innovative solutions to practical problems that draws Pienaar to supply chain management. "The core of supply chain management is getting people to collaborate on objectives that transcend their own narrow, short-term interests," he said. "This is what makes our profession so challenging—and yet so satisfying when we succeed."

Pienaar's contributions to the industry also include serving on CSCMP's board of directors as well as other committees for the organization. He has helped CSCMP increase its international exposure, including providing guidance for the organization's Dubai and South Africa conferences.

Pienaar will be the 48th person to receive the DSA since it was inaugurated in 1965 as a tribute to John Drury Sheahan, a logistics pioneer.

CSCMP to host Singapore, Mumbai conferences

Educational programs will focus on managing supply chain risk, efficiency, and strategy

CSCMP's global reach will be much in evidence in 2014, when it will host two comprehensive conferences on the other side of the world from its home office near Chicago.

The council will kick off the year with a two-day conference on supply chain risk in Singapore. "Effective Strategies for Managing Supply Chain Risk: Assuring the Viability of Your Supply Chain" on January 22-24 will feature a keynote address by Stephen Lovejoy, senior vice president, Asia, global channels and global store development supply chain for Starbucks. Lovejoy will take an in-depth look at the challenges of managing an end-to-end supply chain across Asia. For more information, click here.

In April, CSCMP's India 2013 conference will draw thought leaders from across the world to discuss such topics as supply chain efficiency, cost management, strategic planning, and technology. Sessions will also address sustainability and challenges in retail logistics. Additionally, John Phillips, senior vice president of supply chain for PepsiCo, will present the results of a survey of executives on the future of supply chain management through 2020. The conference runs from April 4 through 5 in Mumbai. For more information, click here.