Welcome to the first edition of the SCLAA Newsletter for 2023.

The new year looks like it will continue to be interesting and challenging for the Supply Chain & Logistics sector.

As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of labour shortages, Just in Case procurement strategies and their associated infrastructure and logistics requirements, increasing costs in landside charges, there is much to consider at both Operational and Board level regarding Business risk and strategies to satisfy service levels and client expectations.

To quote David Doherty in his article this month, he asks the rhetorical question of us all-“What would you list as your one significant issue? .... never forget people are the key element”

SCLAA as a Professional Association has the key responsibility in adhering to its core purpose of the development and support of Professionals and Practitioners.

We continue to achieve this through fostering connections, collaboration and relationships.

Take the time to review our upcoming events from page 32 onwards. From a National and State Commit- tee level, SCLAA has hit the ground running at the start of this year!

In March we are celebrating International Women’s Day around the country, with the focus of not just promoting and attracting diversity to the industry at all levels, but also providing valuable insights on career development-its challenges and solutions.

Sharing of knowledge and “how to do things better “is paramount for an individual’s and well as a corporations continuous improvement development.

We will shortly be wrapping up our 2022 Mentoring program and launching the 2023 program. EOI’s from seasoned industry experts as Mentors is open all year round. Everyone at every stage of their career needs a mentor and this is a rewarding way to “give back” and support the industry skills shortage in a practical and impactful way.

This issue also incorporates many white papers and case studies deployed by industry which have produced supply chain benefits both up and downstream.

Take the time to read the industry impacting solutions provided by Bestrane to Chemist Warehouse (page 17), Swisslog provides to the DC and warehouse sector (page 25)

SCLAA has been selected as THE Industry Association Partner with CeMat Australia. As a Partner, we will not only be assisting with shaping the agenda of key issues and topics facing the industry, but will also be hosting SCLAA workshops and seminars demonstrating solutions that have been deployed.

Opportunities now exist for our Members and Partners to provide their expertise via Panel Discussions, workshop facilitation and Seminar keynote addresses. For an agenda of topics and to lodge your EOI, please contact partner@sclaa.com.au or secretary@sclaa. com.au

You will also have the opportunity to meet SCLAA Board and Committee Members so please come and say hi at our dedicated SCLAA exhibitor stand at the Conference.

Members and Partners can also take advantage of registration discounts from our partnership with Akolade at the Supply Chain Week Conference. More information on both conferences will be available on our website.in coming months.

SCLAA will also continue to advocate and provide a voice for its Members and Industry via representation on Government and Industry Committees. I have firmly believed that advocacy produces comes change. Some of the Government and Industry committees where SCLAA is a representative and active contributor includes:

• Nabers - read more about contributions to our industry on Page (27)

• Trade Technology Working Group (TTWG) a subcommittee of the National Committee of Trade Facilitation (NCTF) - the Committee is tasked with collaborating on technology initiatives to enhance trade competitiveness of Australian businesses and border security.

• Port Transport Logistics Taskforce (PTLT)

On a more local level, we are collaborating with our Platinum National Partner Tafe NSW on delivering “employment ready” courseware and prioritizing courses to fulfil industry skills shortages. SCLAA brings Education and Industry together to prioritize training and workforce development requirements.

Lastly, I would like to welcome our new Platinum National Partner Korber and Media Partner Region Media.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events!