The U.S.-based Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and Canada’s Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) announced a collaborative partnership that will bring expanded resources for companies looking to optimize their supply chains.
ASCM, based in Chicago, was formed in January with the aim of driving innovation in the industry with new products, services and partnerships that enable companies to enhance their supply chains. SCMA, headquartered in Toronto, represents Canada’s end-to-end supply chain profession.
The groups said the collaboration will enable distribution of each other’s product offerings, development of joint training programs for Global 2000 and Fortune 1000 companies, participation in and establishment of joint events, and combined thought leadership and publications.
“With global multi-tiered supply chains becoming increasingly complex, companies are more challenged than ever to keep up with the latest research and thought leadership available,” ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi said. “This partnership with SCMA recognizes their unique Canadian position and is exemplary of our commitment to build and grow a global network of alliances and collaborations that ultimately make it easier for organizations to find the resources they need to invest in their supply chains.”
When ASCM was launched, Eshkenazi told Sourcing Journal that he wanted the organization to form a global alliance network of industry-leading organizations. The goal, he said, is to offer cross-function training, benchmarking, performance reporting, research, education and certifications for its members.
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Commenting on the new collaboration, SCMA president and CEO Christian Buhagiar said, “We are working hard to elevate our profession as a critical driver of Canada’s economy, supporting the community with the latest knowledge to enable Canadian supply chain professionals to be global leaders. Partnering with ASCM is indicative of our goal to build constructive and collaborative relationships that will help us to shape Canada’s supply chain workplace of the future and to lead supply chain innovation.”
ASCM was created on the foundation of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification and training. Now, ASCM wants to help drive innovation in the industry with new products, services and partnerships that help companies to optimize their supply chains, secure their competitive advantage and positively influence their bottom lines.
SCMA serves more than 7,000 professionals across the country and wider supply chain community. SCMA is a federation, with a national secretariat and 10 provincial/territorial Institutes. Through its education, advocacy and resource-development initiatives, the association works to advance its vision that “Canadian supply chain professionals and organizations are recognized for leading innovation, global competitiveness and driving economic growth.”