Manufacturing and Supply Chain is slowly starting to become my new favourite sector, and in my opinion it’s definitely the sector to watch out for in 2012. With the massive complex problems the world faces in terms of the economy, employment and environmental and social sustainability, solving the key problems within the sector seems to be where a lot of the solutions to these problems can be adressed.

Supply Chain management incorporates a complex web of factors from transforming and utilizing natural resources, the interaction of products, materials, equipment, labour, cash and consumer behaviour across the world. While Manufacturing is a constant battle between sourcing reliable, cost effective suppliers, in time, while keeping your staff sweet.

In this blog I’ll highlight our top 5 Webinars, which will hopefully shed some light on the hot topics that were popular within in the industry in 2011.

5. Caterpillar Logistics: The Impact of Globalisation on Inventory Management Strategy and Design

Our fifth most popular Webinar of the year was Cat Logistics future strategy on how companies can improve inventory performance, service levels, while boosting the bottom line. They showed us new smart technologies that focused squarely on customer demand to plan and auto replenish warehouse inventory. The benefits of the system included reduced transportation costs, improved customer satisfaction, reduced inventory and improved services levels. To watch the Webinar absolutely free go here.

4. CSM: A real time MES/MOM…to effectively improve manufacturing performance

This Webinar looked at the benefits of integrating a real time Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) software into your plant. The perks of the software allow you to permanently visualize all the manufacturing activities across the plant meaning any losses or business critical bottle necks are easily identified, prompting immediate action. The result reduces your costs, while transforming your engineers into heroes, allowing them to effortlessly deliver on the strategic goals set by their executives. To watch the Webinar absolutely free go here.

3. Oliver Wight: Benchmark your supply chain and discover what it takes to be best-in-class

Why benchmark your Supply Chain? The benefits of benchmarking includes: Improved customer service, reduced supply chain costs, identification of performance gaps, shorter cash cycles and tracking your improvements over time. To watch the Webinar absolutely free go here.

2. AGI: Creating a Strategic Alignment to Achieve: DEMAND-DRIVEN PERFORMANCE

This Webinar put the science into Supply Chain demand, focusing on the 4 elements that encompass supply chain management including 1) planning its operations, 2) reaching decisions on sourcing materials and services, determining processes, methods, 3) procedures for “Make” decisions and finally 4) developing appropriate logistical systems to deliver to their marketplace. To watch the Webinar absolutely free go here.

1. Celsis: How Proctor and Gamble delivers operational savings through lean quality

Our number one Webinar in the Manufacturing and Supply Chain sector was all about driving lean quality initiatives across global operations. The benefits included reducing the cost and time of manufacturing, reducing inventories and safety stock and faster detection of contamination. To watch the Webinar absolutely free go here.