Conference: 20-21 April 2006
Pre-Conference Workshops: 19 April 2006
Venue: InterContinental Hotel Pudong Shanghai, China

After more than two decades of economic reform and transition, China is now the world’s largest manufacturing base. It will soon be the world’s largest market. While China’s distribution networks are quickly improving, they remain underdeveloped. Transportation costs in China are among the highest in the world – about twice the percentage of costs as in the United States. Poor materials handling and packaging practices often result in excessive damage costs, while significant inefficiencies as a consequence of low freight visibility and underutilization of available technologies are prevalent. In short, companies involved with domestic transportation in China face a myriad of challenges. However, those China-based manufacturers and retailers that have dedicated the necessary resources towards the planning, set-up and management of effective, cost-efficient logistics processes and distribution and warehousing networks, have reaped vast rewards for doing so.

Intra-China Distribution 2006 will facilitate a deep understanding of proven strategies for optimizing these logistics processes and distribution and warehousing networks. Key themes include efficiency improvement through collaboration with third party logistics providers, implementation of successful warehousing and inventory management systems and the role of technologies such as RFID in improving supply chain management. This event is a second-to-none opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing between fellow logistics professionals from telecom, automotive, FMCG, IT, food and retail industries. Do not miss out!
The latest trends impacting logistics and distribution in China
Strategies for optimizing distribution through supply chain partner integration
Improving warehousing and distribution through inventory optimization
Development of effective strategies for on-time delivery and improved visibility
Best practices when applying systems and technologies to logistics processes and distribution networks

Confirmed Speakers
Robert Chen, Supply Chain Manager, Honeywell
Jiayi Zhang, Director of Integrated Supply Chain, Fuji Xerox (China)
Pierre Steffen, Vice President, Airbus
Jun Chen, Director of Logistics, Midea
Professor Qianli Dong, Specialised in Logistics Management, Chang’an Univeristy
Patrick Xu, Supply Chain Manager, Estee Lauder
Darui Zhang, Director of Logistics, Bright Dairy
Honglei Qi, Director of Cold Chain Distribution, Bright Dairy
Joshua Wu, GAR Transportation Manager, Intel

Priority Speaker Invitations To
Ministry of Communications of People’s Republic of China
Wei Feng, Principal, Research Centre of Logistics Engineering and Technology, MOC
Elton Chen, National Logistics Manager, Carrefour
Mike Reid, Director of Logistics, Hymall Supermarket
Marc Bekkers, regional Customer Service & Logistics Manager, Heineken
George Zhao, Vice President of Supply Chain, B&Q
Shenggun Hou, Director of Logistics, Haier
Chris Gubbey, Executive Vice President, Shanghai General Motors
Ming Zhang, Logistic Planning Manager, Shanghai VW
Ooi-Wong Wai Kin, Vice President, Dell
Demo Su, Senior Manager of Logistics, TCL
Erh-hsun Chang, Vice President, Logitech
Alex Liew, Vice President Asia Pacific, Flextronics
Terence Tiew, Purchasing and Supply Chain Director, Danone
Mr. Xiu, Director of Logistics, Ting Hsin Group


Pre-conference workshops on:

Measuring and benchmarking the performance and cost effectiveness of logistic supplier and outsourcing partners
Creating innovative and efficient distribution networks to tier 2 and tier 3 cities in China
Formulating a practical approach to inventory management
Selecting and integrating technology solutions into the supply chain for lowering costs and optimizing logistics and distribution performance

Conference Day One: 20 April 2006


CURRENT TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICES IN INTRA-CHINA DISTRIBUTION

1. Challenges and opportunities when improving logistics and creating distribution networks in China
- Identifying and understanding current developments within China’s transportation infrastructure
- Impact, challenges and benefits of infrastructure developments involving China’s road, rail and river networks
- Exploring the implications of infrastructure developments across provinces and cities in China
Joshua Wu, GAR Transportation Manager, Intel

2. A review of logistics and distribution practices in China
- Identifying and comparing best logistics and distribution practices globally and lessons for China
- Challenges and barriers specific to China
- Emerging practices and opportunities in Chinese logistics and distribution

3. Guidelines for developing effective distribution networks in China
- Essential elements to consider when planning effective distribution networks in China
- Identifying gaps and shortcomings within existing distribution networks
- Strategies for reducing risk and costs and increasing efficiency and capacity of distribution networks

4. The impact of changing trade policies and free trade zones on supply chain management
- Outlining China’s current trade policies and free trade agreements and the potential benefits for businesses
- Latest developments pertaining to the Yangshan Deep Sea Port and Linggang Logistics Park
- Developing bonded logistics park solutions for manufacturers and retailers


PARTNER INTEGRATION: CREATING A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT

5. Strategic selection and evaluation of freight forwarders and third-party transportation carriers
- Building and managing integrated project teams
- Reducing damages and lost goods through trucking standards and resource planning
- Strategies for optimizing delivery times
- Communication strategies for improving business performance
Professor Qianli Dong, Specialised in Logistics Management, Chang’an Univeristy


6. Strategies for lowering costs and optimizing returns through enhanced collaboration with 3PLs
- An overview of the 3PL supplier market in China
- Strategies for optimizing the supply chain process using 3PLs
- Ensuring consistent service expectations and quality standards when co-coordinating and leveraging multiple suppliers
Robert Chen, Supply Chain Manager, Honeywell


7. The evolution from 3PL to 4PL to sustain competitive advantages
- The role of 4PL in increasing performance, reducing costs and optimizing the use of 3PL services
- A review of the 4PL market and best practices in China
- Measuring and benchmarking 4PL performance


ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
These informal discussion and debate on specific conference issues, chaired by a guest or speaker, are an event highlight. Topics include:
- Strategies for developing warehousing and inventory management systems
- Applying and integrating GPS and RFID as cost effective, practical and manageable tools for improving logistics, warehousing and distribution
- Strategies for planning and establishing successful logistics processes and distribution networks
Jiayi Zhang, Director of Integrated Supply Chain, Fuji Xerox (China)

Conference Day Two: 21 April 2006

OPTIMIZING DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS, IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY AND INCREASING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

8. Building and optimizing distribution networks
- What does building and optimizing a logistics and distribution network entail?
- The value of network modeling
Benefits and drawbacks of various logistics and distribution network approaches
Patrick Xu, Supply Chain Manager, Estee Lauder

9. Distribution involving tier 2 and tier 3 cities in China
- Current and future transportation developments in tier 2 and tier 3 cities
- Practices and strategies for developing distribution networks covering tier 2 and tier 3 cities
- Lessons from previous setbacks and failures

10. Developing effective distribution strategies for temperature-sensitive products
- Overview of cold chain developments in China
- Understanding critical transportation procedures for temperature sensitive products
- Guidelines for maintaining effective cold chain control throughout the entire distribution network

11. Exploring alternatives to road transportation
- Advantages and disadvantages of moving goods by rail and river in China
- Strategies for achieving co-coordination between road, rail and river transportation providers
- Anticipating trends in rail and river transportation in China over the next 5 years

12. Employing IT solutions for optimizing logistics and distribution processes
- Applying IT trends to distribution and the latest technological trends
- Developing database management systems linked to barcode or GPS systems
- Using IT systems to improve service quality and customer satisfaction

PANEL DISCUSSION: Methods for optimizing logistics and distribution efficiencies

This interactive panel, comprising logistics experts from around China, will examine and illuminate issues crucial to the future of intra-China logistics and distribution. The discussion will include:
- Previous lessons learned and future directions in intra-china distribution
- The potential impact of legislative changes on domestic transportation in China

- Practical strategies for minimizing logistics and distribution costs
Jun Chen, Director of Logistics, Midea

WAREHOUSING AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

13. Designing and developing effective distribution centers (DC’s)
- Strategies for effective DC design and development to meet short, medium and long term warehousing objectives
- Establishing DC design and development guidelines and selecting appropriate technologies
- Measuring the operating performance of distribution centers
- Practices for overcoming shortcomings in DC designs and uncovering opportunities for DC improvements

14. Employing warehouse management systems to increase efficiency
- A review of warehouse management system solutions
- Increasing productivity through integrated logistics, distribution and warehouse planning
- Measuring the effectiveness of warehouse management systems

15. Implementing cost-effective RFID solutions
- Understanding the fundamentals of RFID technology
- Using RFID to improve distribution and supply chain management
- Potential impact of RFID on various supply chain segments
- Measuring and benchmarking return on investment of RFID

16. Differentiating delivery lead-times within distribution networks to create competitive advantage
- Managerial insights into the benefits of segmenting demand according to lead-time sensitivity of customers
- Effective logistics, warehousing and distribution strategies when differentiating delivery lead-times
- Lessons learned from previous differentiated delivery model implementation experiences

17. Improving warehousing and distribution through inventory optimization
- Reducing cost and obsolescence by standardizing critical inventory stocks
- Identifying/detecting and correcting weaknesses in inventory reporting systems
- Strategies for improving lead time and inventory levels by streamlining warehousing and distribution systems