In all sectors, making a product launch successful can have a significant impact on the bottom line. Those who get to market early stand to increase sales and improve margins. Decisions made during product introduction shape whole-life cost and profitability. The velocity of change is only likely to increase: MIT’s Supply Chain 2020 report on the future of the discipline highlighted 32 possible game-changing socio-economic, political and technological macro factors, 9 of which related directly to a higher pace of product innovation.
New product introduction is a complex business process that touches all parts of the organisation and supply chain partners. Traditionally businesses and consultants have concentrated on the engineering and marketing roles. While product development engineering is a mature discipline, it is becoming clear that supply chain planning and execution are also key elements in new product introduction. Product costs are ultimately supply chain costs, and all the material elements of a launch – from samples, to raw materials and components, to packaging – can become critical path processes.
This seminar combines theory and case studies from diverse industries to explore practical improvements to people, processes and systems in the supply chain that will reduce costs and increase profitability. The focus of the seminar is on benefit realisation, whether at the strategic level where a deep knowledge of your supply chain can leverage improvements in enterprise-wide product lifecycle management, or the operational level where we discuss waste reduction in launch processes, supercession and closing the loop at end of life. There will be time for discussion, and learning is consolidated with interactive simulation games.
The session will benefit managers from organisations at all points in the supply chain that have to cope with the disruptive effects of new product introductions – from manufacturers, to distributors to retailers. It will be of particular interest to those with product and portfolio responsibility, to senior planners, and to senior operational managers.
Draft Agenda
09:00 - Registration and coffee
09:30 - Welcome and introduction to Unipart
09:45 - Why NPI is important: how to advocate change in your organisation Supply chain
management in NPI
11:00 - Coffee
11:15 - Taking time out of the NPI process
“Sexy Feet” simulation game
12:45 - Lunch
13:30 - Maintaining a profitable portfolio Improving forecasting at product launch
15:00 - Wrap up
15:15 - Close
Fees: Members - £75; Non-members - £150
(Non-member rate includes one year's Associate Membership of IOM)
To book, complete and return the booking form here or contact Membership Services. Tel: 01536 740105. Email: members@iomnet.org.uk quoting Booking Code: IOM053.
