14:00 

• Facilitator: Thomas Cullen, Senior Analyst, Ti

Subject: How are global demand side supply chain trends impacting on distribution strategies in Asia Pacific? 

Logistics thought leader, Thomas Cullen, will drive a 3 hour workshop designed to provide insight into how changes in global production strategies are influencing the way manufacturers and retailers approach sourcing and distribution in the Asia Pacific.

Within the workshop Thomas will compare and contrast a variety of supply chains including automotive, chemical and consumer goods. He will demonstrate how each supply chain's attributes lead to the development of a unique set of distribution requirements. 

This workshop will prove essential to logistics managers of manufacturers and retailers looking to benchmark their own distribution networks against other sectors or trying to understand the impact of trends and developments in their industries.

It will also prove essential for managers of logistics companies and consultants wanting to better align their own services with the needs of their customers or to get a better grounding in the fundamental logistics concepts which drive their businesses.

The training session will answer the following questions: 

• What are the macro-economic drivers which influence the structure of global supply chains?
• How do these relate to the Asia Pacific region?
• How is the economic landscape in the region influencing distribution networks?
• Will rising input costs change the market for good?
• What are the prospects for China compared with other markets such as Vietnam?
• How do global and Asia Pacific supply chains in the automotive, chemical and consumer goods sectors compare?
• What is the role of logistics service providers in meeting the distribution needs of their clients in these sectors?
• How could they improve? 

Throughout a highly interactive session, participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences. Thomas Cullen is a highly experience presenter and trainer, most recently lecturing on the Executive Masters in International Logistics Course of Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, United States.

Chairman welcome and introduction

The Asia Pacific logistics industry within a global context

The speakers in this keynote session talk about how changing patterns of demand have influenced the architecture of physical distribution requirements in Asia Pacific. They look at the impact of evolving economic, political, social, technological and environmental drivers and how the supply side is changing to meet these needs.

A cross section of the sector's leaders, the speakers in this keynote session talk about how changing patterns of demand have influenced the architecture of their physical distribution requirements in Asia Pacific.They look at the impact of evolving economic, political, social, technological and environmental drivers and how the supply side is changing to meet these needs.

• Exclusive! Where are the best distribution markets in Asia Pacific?

The Global Enabling Trade Report 2008 is a brand new index initiated by the World Economic Forum casting light on how easy or difficult it is to conduct logistics in countries throughout the world. The speakers discuss the results which put several Asia Pacific markets at the top of the list, but show the weakness of others, such as China.

Sean Doherty, Head of Transport & Logistics, World Economic Forum 

• Distribution strategies in Asia Pacific

Distributing consumer goods throughout the Asia Pacific region presents challenges not faced in Europe or North America. The speaker provides an in-sight into how this is managed in order to maintain high levels of customer service.

Sundarrajan Bhyravan, Regional Logistics Manager, Asia AMET Logistics Excellence Team, Unilever 

Emerging markets in Asia: Issues for distribution networks

The Asia Pacific market has a mix of recently developed and rapidly emerging markets. What issues are being faced by the distribution networks in these emerging markets and how can these issues be overcome? How do the topics of infrastructure, asset investment, outsourcing, innovation and economic dependency differ in these markets?

Christopher Logan, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Agility

11.15 Session 2: Aligning logistics infrastructure with supply chains

Investment in transport infrastructure is critical for the Asia Pacific region if it is to maintain pace with demand. This session examines the major developments in the various modes looking at airports, ports, rail and road freight.

Has the 'third way' finally arrived?

Talk about establishing a reliable, secure and fast rail link between China and Europe has been going on for years. However, in what could be a seismic shift for the logistics industry, the Eurasian Landbridge has finally become reality. The presentation addresses the issues and challenges involved in establishing the link and its great potential for the future.

Jürgen Rogner, VP Business Development China, DB Mobility Networks Logistics

The Multimodal Machine

As financial and economic turmoil continue to bite, logistics providers have an opportunity to champion multimodalism as a proactive means of reducing costs and carbon footprint, while increasing efficiency and optimizing supply chain fulfillment. APL Logistics will examine global modal and infrastructure alignment, with particular reference to the US and India.

Peter Knapp, Vice President for Contract Logistics, APL Logistics 

Jürgen Rogner, VP Business Development China, DB Mobility Networks Logistics

Peter Knapp, Vice President for Contract Logistics,APL Logistics

Chairman: Mark Millar, Director, Transport Intelligence - Asia Pacific

Comparative analysis of supply chains in Asia Pacific. Senior logisticians discuss how inventory is managed in a variety of supply chains and their requirements for logistics infrastructure. The session will highlight the differences and similarities between supply chains with varying product attributes.

• Automotive and other industries  

Penske Logistics manages logistics operations for Continental Tires in Shanghai. This presentation examines how the two companies went about building a distribution network in China and the challenges faced. Also, Penske compares this business case with other industry segments, highlighting the differences in approach and value propositions experienced by western-based multinational companies doing business in China. 

Joe Gallick, Senior Vice President for Global Sales, Penske Logistics

•  Case study: Distribution strategies

The current buoyant growth in the intra-Asian trade is fuelled by multinational companies with both manufacturing and distribution operations in the Asia Pacific region. One such organisation is Newell Rubbermaid, whose many brands include Parker, Paper Mate, Waterman and DYMO, among others. The speaker explains the challenges and opportunities encountered by Newell Rubbermaid in its extensive Asia Pacific operation.

Tony Wong, Director of Asia Supply Chain, Global Sourcing and Office Products, APAC, Newell Rubbermaid, Inc

•  Cool Chain Challenges in Asia Pacific

Wastage in the perishable food supply chain runs into billions of dollars and getting the cold chain right across the Asia Pacific region and specifically in China is one of the biggest challenges the industry faces.

Michael Yee, Greater China SCM Managing Partner, Accenture

  Session 4: Geographic trends in developing markets

Chairman: Mark Millar, Director, Transport Intelligence - Asia Pacific

• Vietnam: China + 1?

The developing market of Vietnam. The alternative to a crowded and expensive China? Although an important new location for global manufacturing, Vietnam suffers from many transport infrastructure challenges which will slow development.

Antonio Sequeros, Vietnam Country Manager, Tractus Asia

• Philippines

Jollibee Foods Corporation is the biggest Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain in the Philippines, and the company also has restaurants in China, the Middle East and North America. As the speaker explains, the complex multimodal QSR supply chain to ensure that food is delivered to these countries and regions in perfect condition at the right time provides the company with some operational challenges.

Salvador Recto, Manufacturing Services Director, Jollibee Foods Corporation 

 The developing markets discussion panel

The Asia Pacific region is not all about China, Japan and Korea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and a range of other smaller economies are attracting increasing attention through their prospects for growth. Senior industry commentators look at the opportunities and challenges for the logistics industry in the region. 

Antonio Sequeros, Tractus Asia

Sunny Ho, The Hong Kong Shippers' Council 

Salvador Recto, Manufacturing Services Director, Jollibee Foods Corporation 

•   Special briefing: The Asian logistics industry in the wake of US meltdown

 Quick survey of Asia markets in wake of the US meltdown: In 2007, US property price declines sparked  domino effect write-downs among large global banks that in 2008 drove global deleveraging to levels some think will take global growth down to levels not seen since the 1920s, or at least mid-70s or early 80s. One thing is for certain. We are switching from inflation to deflation, with both price and volumes at risk. 

Charles de Trenck, Transport Trackers

 9.15 Session 5: Supply Chain Technology innovations in Asia Pacific

What are the major challenges for implementing technology solutions? What are the needs of manufacturers and retailers throughout the region? In this keynote session a range of different technologies are discussed and debated from Supply Chain Execution applications (Transport Management Systems and Warehouse Managements Systems), Supply Chain Management solutions to RFID.

•  Technology innovations in global supply chains

Major shippers benefit from a number of IT solution providers, including GT Nexus, automating many manual processes, by offering trade facilitation software. This includes automating such processes as cross-border regulatory compliance, carrier bookings, supply chain visibility and even financial management.

John Urban, President, GT Nexus

•  Supply Chain Visibility for distribution systems

With developments in GPS and RFID technology, shippers and their logistics providers can now benefit from real time comprehensive visibility of a marine container's contents throughout the supply chain. This is thanks to companies such as Savi Networks, a joint venture between Savi Technology and Hutchinson Port Holdings (HPH). 

Larry Trebesch, General Manager, China, Savi Networks

Discussion Panel: Are software applications meeting the specific needs of Logistics providers and users in China?

John Urban, President, GT Nexus

Larry Trebesch, General Manager for Asia, Savi Networks

Darren Plested, VP Business Development Asia, DHL Exel Supply Chain

Session 6: Trends in distribution strategies

Presentations on demand, provision and growth in the distribution markets of Asia Pacific are provided by speakers with a unique overview of the industry.

• Exclusive! Results of the '2008 Third-Party Logistics' Study

The '2008 Third-Party Logistics Study', is the thirteenth in a series of surveys looking at usage and perception of 3PLs by their customers. The presentation gives an in-sight into the state of logistics outsourcing, comparing and contrasting the Asia Pacific region with the rest of the world.

A number of major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are underway, to benefit shippers moving goods to/from and within the Asia Pacific region. This presentation summarises current and planned FTA developments.
Beng Ti Tan, Tax Advisor, Tax Practice Group, Baker and McKenzie

Chairman: Greg Knowler, Publisher, CargoNews Asia

To round off the conference, a board of senior executives from all sectors of the industry discuss some of the major issues in the region including supply chain risks; bureaucracy; corruption; economic downturn and congestion. What is the future for the industry and how will it overcome these challenges?n:

Closing remarks: John Manners-Bell, CEO, Ti