Programme > Keynote speakers

Árni HALLDÓRSSON

Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

At the intersection of digitalisation and servitization. A rise of new aftermarket service supply chains?

Abstract: The development of services has led to increase in offerings that support the customer’s processes and enhanced engagement with end-users of products and services. Not only is digitalization an enabler in this development, it is also, in combination with servitization, at the core of redefining the scope of the services supply chain; ‘aftermarket’ and ‘in-use’ phase of products and services provide new opportunities as well as challenges to existing supply chains. Tables are turning by actors taking on a new role, or new actors entering the scene. Aftermarket services supply chains, digitally connected services, and service development for increased engagement with end-users illustrate that new service supply chain configurations are emerging.

Biography: Árni HALLDORSSON is Professor of Supply Chain Management at the Division of Service Management and Logistics, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. Árni also holds a position as Professor of Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility, Hanken School of Economics, Finland. Prior to this at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, from where he completed his PhD, and University of Southampton, UK. His current research and teaching evolves around sustainable supply, energy efficiency in the supply chain, sustainable development of logistics services, service management, and theorizing and methodology in these fields.

Patrick GIBBONS

President of Operations and Founding Partner, Emerson Group, USA

Fred LOEFFEL

Executive Vice-President Strategic Development, GEODIS AMERICA, USA

Logistics and Supply Chain: How E-commerce is Forcing Revolution in Brick and Mortar Retail

Abstract: The Emerson Group/Emerson Logistics and GEODIS have partnered for more than 18 years to provide a unique Go-To-Market value proposition to manufacturers in the Over-The-Counter Medicine, and Health and Beauty product categories. Today’s session will provide insight into the value proposition, a case study on Freight Consolidation to Walmart DC’s in the USA, technology that supports the program, and the positive impact on service, retail compliance, and CO2 emission reduction. Patrick Gibbons, President of Operations and Founding Partner of The Emerson Group, and Fred Loeffel, EVP Strategic Development GEODIS Americas, will lead the presentation.

Biography: Mr. GIBBONS, President of Emerson Logistics, is one of the founding partners of the Emerson Group, joining the company in 1995. Prior to that, he was with Novartis and the Global Brand Manager for Sanofi-Aventis. He handles operations for Emerson Healthcare. He is a member of the CHPA Logistics Steering Committee and the OH Logistics Supplier Advisory Board. He works out of the Emerson Headquarters in Wayne, Pennsylvania. He holds a BBA from Temple University.

Biography: In his role, Fred LOEFFEL is responsible the strategic initiatives to drive the contract logistics business unit to $2B in revenue by 2021, and supporting the process to accelerate cross-selling and integrated value proposition with the International Lines of Business.  He is also responsible for identifying and providing business cases for potential acquisitions. In his 23 years with GEODIS, he has served in various business development, account management, and customer solution roles including EVP Business Development Contract Logistics, EVP Global Account Management, SVP Global Business Development, and Director of Customer Solutions. He has served as an instructor for the International Warehouse & Logistics basic and sales & marketing courses, a multi-year member of the Warehouse Research and Education Council “WERC”, Council of Supply Chain Management “CSCMP”, and served for three years on the logistics steering committee for the Consumer Healthcare Protection Association based in Washington DC.  He has served as a volunteer to the American Red Cross, Nashville Flood Relief, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization; Oak View youth league basketball, and is a life member of Optimist Club International. Fred also supports Susan Komen Foundation, St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, TN and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Peter SKOPECK

Head of Logistics, BAYER CropScience, France

Nathalie BRUN

Coach & Customs Company Officer, BAYER CropScience, France

Company Culture Transformation as Key Success Factor
“People and Culture, the only things you can’t copy”

Abstract: BAYER Villefranche has launched a cultural transformation program in order to achieve operational excellence. Instead of focusing on technology, KPIs and IT systems, we decided to put our people at the center of the program. We aim to give more autonomy and responsibility to people at all levels of our organization, which requires fundamental changes in behaviours. The 4-year project goes through several phases, using innovative approaches. The cultural transformation program launched by BAYER Villefranche is supported by internal coaches. The coach role is essential to drive individual and team behaviour and consequently organizational performance in order to build an empowered organization. The role is based on influence, not on power to give the opportunity to each stakeholder to develop autonomy and responsibility.

In this plenary talk, Peter SKOPECK will explain how BAYER implements the cultural change program in BAYER CropScience biggest European formulation plant, as Nathalie BRUN will explain how she supports the organization in its transformation.

Biography: Peter SKOPECK has worked with Bayer for almost 20 years. After obtaining his master degree in Management and Engineering Science (University Karlsruhe), he started as internal SAP consultant within Bayer. He then held various project management and supply chain positions in Germany and France, working for both, the Healthcare and CropScience divisions. Since 2014, he is heading the Logistics department of the Villefranche formulation site and deeply involved in the cultural transformation program. He has recently obtained following certifications: CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) and CBBL (Certified Black Belt in Lean).

Biography: Nathalie BRUN has worked with Bayer for more than 30 years. She started as Export Assistant and then moved to Human Resources. After obtaining her master degree in Managing Human Resources in 2003 she held the positions of Payroll manager, then Compensation & Benefits manager for the Bayer Group in France. Since 2017, she is heading the Customs department of the CropScience division. She has recently obtained following certifications: certificate of coach (Coach & Team® by Vincent Lenhardt) and professional certificate in managing Customs.