About the SCLAA (WA)

Mr. Nick Munyard - WA President

Events are conducted on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month.  SCLAA activities are a great way to get and keep your brand uppermost in decision makers’ minds. Please contact the office or President for more details.

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Event Reports

 

• SCLAA Breakfast "The State of Freight" 210509

Mark Bownell, Freight & Logistics Council of WA

It was a wet and windy morning but there was a great turnout to the May event with the catchy title “The State of Freight”. We were fortunate to hear from both public and private sector perspectives.

Mark Brownell talked about the new freight and logistics Council of Western Australia where he acts as Executive Officer. The new council has a multimodal focus which differs from the single mode focus of the past. The council wishes to develop a collaborative relationship with the private sector in progressing initiatives and resolving industry issues - the SCLAA wishes Mark and the Council the best of luck.

Brendan Moloney, Toll Global Forwarding

Vernon Durling. Tel: 9430 4755, Mob: 0411 236 404, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Vernon would be pleased to hear from any SCLAA members in respect of operational issues at the Port.

Brendan Moloney. General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Toll Global Forwarding gave an insightful and open overview of the shipping industry. This industry has seen a dramatic change in fortunes over the last 18 months and many companies are fighting for survival. Despite this Toll Global Forwarding continues to perform strongly and Paul Little has some aggressive growth targets for the coming years.

• Barminco Supply Hub Visit 020409

It’s not often that logistics professionals have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a senior supply chain strategist in his own backyard.

This was the rare opportunity that presented itself to SCLAA members who accepted the invitation to visit Barminco’s new supply hub at Hazelmere in April.

Glowing with the energy provided by an excellent buffet breakfast and some animated early morning networking, those present settled to a detail packed forty five minute presentation from Tony Andrews, Barminco’s Supply Chain Director. Tony’s lecture outlined in layman’s terms the business logic driving Barminco’s centralization of supply chain activities; how step-by-step the project is being executed; and how the pitfalls that were encountered along the way were avoided.

Mining My Own Business

Tony set the scene by explaining how Barminco operates mines on behalf of clients, and that Barminco’s activities range from exploratory drilling to full scale mining. He then progressed to the core theme of the visit; that Barminco is trying to extract more value from its operations by selling supply chain services.

Tony described the key components of achieving this goal as being the progression from local to strategic procurement; imposing inventory management control at each local site; ensuring that transportation meets the business’s needs; and the implementation of a strategic supply chain hub – the venue for the day’s visit. At this point Tony stressed that none of what Barminco has achieved would have been possible without the full support of the executive for the change in supply chain strategy, manifested, where appropriate in its willingness to override local operational issues that stand in the way of strategic progress.

Tony added that the organisation structure, with him reporting directly to the CEO was a significant aid in achieving his and the organisation’s supply chain goals.

Tony Andrews, Group Supply Manager - Barminco

The SCLAA party then toured the sight, guided by Tony, Alan Gartner (Operations Manager) and Steve McIlroy (Procurement Manager). It was obvious that Barminco was using the well designed facility to its maximum, whilst cross docking goods to its mine operations, also maintaining its impressive transport fleet, and recycling inventory and machines from its mothballed operations into its core business.

• SCLAA David Doherty Breakfast 260209

 



A fine morning in February provided the opportunity for a healthy gathering of logisticians to partake of a hearty breakfast and some words of Supply Chain wisdom from two subject matter experts. The keynote speaker was David Doherty, National Chairman of the SCLAA and recent proud recipient of the Order of Australia Medal. David commenced by awarding Steve MacPherson with life membership of the SCLAA in recognition of his sustained long term contribution to the association. All present agreed that this was a worthy recognition of Steve’s efforts.




David’s presentation was entitled “Future Supply Chains”. He pointed out the lack of clarity (still) in the definition of the ‘Supply Chain’, despite the fact that the Transport, Distribution and Logistics industry employs every 7th worker in Australia. On the basis that half of these workers are 44 years old or more, he emphasised that the industry needs to put more effort into recruiting young professionals. David speculated about how Supply Chains might look like in 2016. He highlighted the increasing Supply Chain impact of globalisation, the emergence of new markets, vulnerability to environmental and security threats and the increased availability of mass information. David concluded a thought provoking lecture by stating that the following are required to survive in the current challenging Supply Chain marketplace:

 

• A return to fundamentals
• Mutual education and training
• Targeted partnering
• Sustainable growth targets
• Supply Chain community rewards
• Effective implementation
• Whole of Supply Chain metrics

Steve MacPherson then spoke about ‘Supply Chain and Logistics Leadership’. He questioned whether ‘gun in hand and everybody follow me’ leadership was now appropriate, and emphasised the need for strategic business planning, and leaders who can introduce change. Steve drew a distinction between the Supply Chain Manager whose responsibility spans the range from supplier to end customer and the Logistics Manager who pays more intention to his own organisation’s internal flows and processes. He said that Supply Chain organisations shouldn’t focus on price competition but instead on customer needs, and concluded that there is no magic formula for supply Chain success but that great people know the costs involved in their Supply Chain and above all have excellent customer service skills.

• Coles Distribution Centre

 



The 5th of February saw a party of fifty-plus gather for an early morning tour of the imposing new Coles Distribution Centre close to the Perth international airport.

The visit was masterminded by Alan Lewis, Coles Distribution Centre Manager.

The first point on the day’s agenda was a delicious breakfast. This provided the visitors with enough energy for the tour and enabled them to undertake some valuable networking.

The group then moved to a conference room where Alan and Kerry (Operations Manager) presented the vital statistics of their new “baby”, a movie in which key participants related their experiences and memories of the site’s commissioning, and an introduction to the Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management System (WMS).

Some snippets from the presentation; the DC was handed over to Coles on 12th May 2008. It has a size of 85,000 square m and is subdivided into three temperature controlled chambers; Ambient (including a chocolate/biscuit room and a recoup area), chiller and freezer. 600 people work in the warehouse, 24/7 to service WA’s stores. 70,000 pallets and 45 million cartons are forecast to be processed through the DC in a calendar year. Imported goods are tracked right from their manufacturer in Asia to their rack locations at the DC. Coles has a similar DC in each of the major states. WA has the largest footprint, but the set up and interior design of each site is identical. Coles foresees great long term benefits from its investment.

Suitably impressed by the presentations, the tour party split into three groups and embarked on its ‘walk through’ the huge facility. Throughout the tour, the guides explained patiently and in great detail how the operation worked. They also minimised the time spent in the freezer!

Some additional notes from the tour; Coles focuses on the wellbeing of its people and OH&S. The DC incorporates many OH&S features; pedestrian barriers, nets behind the racks and is always kept neat and tidy. Recycling bins are located in every aisle.

The new Manhattan WMS enables paperless transactions, real time stock balances and voice picking. Every picker is equipped with a handheld RF unit and head sets. 100 voice pickers can operate simultaneously. Substantial RF battery recharge stations enable interruption free operation. Staff are expected to pick a certain number of items in a period of time calculated by the WMS. If an employee exceeds his/her target he/she receives a bonus. If an employee continually performs below his/her benchmark, a five step plan is used to address this issue. Step 1 is an informal chat; step 5 termination of employment.

Coles uses exclusively Crown Material Handling Equipment. The MHE has a dedicated parking lot and a separate recharging room.

An excellent and informative site visit finished with a brief wrap up and best wishes from Alan, Kerry and the enthusiastic team. The SCLAA (WA) would very much like to express its gratitude to Coles for hosting such an entertaining event.

• Ascot Awards

The WA Supply Chain and Logistics Industry celebrated its annual awards presentation atSaturdays Winterbottom Stakes Meeting in the presence of the new Transport Minister, Simon O’Brien and Mrs O’Brien. Reflecting her long standing support and bi-partisan recognition of theindustry’s top awards, current Shadow Minister for Regional Development; Strategic Infrastructure and Climate Change Alannah Mactiernan was also a welcome guest.


Bronwyn Trlin

Before 250 industry dignitaries in Ascot’s 2 storey air conditioned marquee, Minister O’Brien presented the 2008 ACERACK/Curtin University of Technology, Western Australian Transport and Logistics Young Professional of the Year Award to Bronwyn Trlin.

Minister O’Brien in presenting the award to Ms Trlin said: “This year there are 5 finalists. They are all of an exceptionally high standard and are to be commended for their achievements and their enthusiasm for the Transport and Logistics Industry. Bronwyn … possesses a maturity and professionalism well beyond her years and provides a "centre of expertise" within her field of safety, quality and training.”

Ms Trlin wins as part of her prize a $7,000 professional development trip to a conference or exhibition anywhere in the world.

Other awards presented included the VET in Schools Award to 17 year old Dempsey Blake of Mt Lawley Senior High School. In a sign of the times Dempsey is about to commence his military training in the Army, wherein he hopes to become a Commando. He will put his $700 prizetoward a new laptop that he hopes to take away with him to maintain contact with his family.

Dempsey Blake

Andrew Kerr

Trainee/Apprentice of the Year Award went to Andrew Kerr of Path Transit. Customer Service

Excellence Awards were received by Coogee Chemicals Pty Ltd (Transport) (large business category) and Ace Shelving (small business category). Ace Shelving, operating under the name ACERACK were also co-sponsor of the Young Professional award signifying the strong support for these awards by industry sponsors. 

Awards Chairman, WA President and National Deputy Chairman of the SCLAA SteveMacPherson observed: “Notably, the WA Young Professional Award winner has in recent years taken out several national Young Professional Awards. This reflects the efforts that the manyindustry volunteers in the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia have put into promoting the recognition and development of the state’s and the nation’s young logistics talent upon whom our future prosperity relies.’

He further commented that the continuing bi-partisan support of people like Simon O’Brien and Alannah Mactiernan and the ongoing support of valued sponsors were pivotal to improving thecontribution of the Transport and Logistics Industry, which makes up 24 % of the state’s economy, to the ability of the state’s economy to not only survive the current international economic turmoil but to thrive in its aftermath.

• AWH Visit, Carbon Credits, LED Lighting and 2008 AGM

 

The SCLAA (WA)’s bumper mid-November event proven to have something for everyone, and was regarded as a success by all thirty plus who attended. 

Our hosts for the afternoon were AWH, who managed proceedings seamlessly.

Initial impressions upon arrival at the Spearwood site were of its huge scale. These thoughts were confirmed when the first stop on the itinerary, a guided tour of the facility commenced. Both escorted and informed by a team of three from AWH; John Ward, Jim Kelly and David Messenger, the thirty-strong visiting party initially toured the 120k square metre main shed.

AWH Main Shed

The contents of the building; thousands of carefully graded, coded and located wool bales, provided ample evidence of one of AWH’s core competencies; wool handling. (It handles up to nine thousand containers of wool each year).

The SCLAA party was guided through the complete operational process from the point at delivery of baled wool from the country, through sampling, storage and auctioning to the consolidation and steel banding of bales for containerization and export.

Apart from the sheer scale of the operation, one of the most impressive features of the tour was our hosts’ vast knowledge of the business, and the way in which they’ve balanced their use of technological and manual processes to achieve the right balance of operational safety, simplicity, efficiency and accuracy. The ‘wooly’ section of the tour concluded with a viewing of the vast wool auction room, and an explanation of the auction process.  

AWH Wool Auction Room

During the remainder of the hour and a half long tour it soon became apparent that AWH is a truly diversified logistics operator. (The Spearwood site now has thirty tenants, and AWH undertakes customs clearance work at its Fremantle Docks location). We saw evidence of this diversification everywhere; goods for high street retailers were stored in the main shed; new cars were being held in the yard and a contractor was building mine site accommodation in another outside area.

Last but not least, the touring party was treated to an explanation of AWH’s newest venture; its grain handling operation.

AWH Grain Silos

All present then adjourned to one of the wool auction viewing rooms for the next installments.  

First was a seminar from Alan Bodger of Carboncredex, a leading WA authority on carbon trading.

Alan Bodger, Carboncredex

Next was a practical demonstration of technology that can directly deliver a significant footprint reduction in our industry; a display of LED lighting by Murrie Hurley and Peter Kelly of Gecko Lighting.

Murrie Hurley, Gecko Lighting

Steve MacPherson SCLAA (WA) President then reinforced the importance of the message of these presentations by highlighting how the SCLAA through its affiliation with the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our industry to zero. 

Before the now thoroughly educated and stimulated audience could retire for well earned refreshments, kindly provided by our hosts for the day, there was the formal business of the day to complete; the SCLAA (WA)’s AGM. A summary of the division’s finances was presented by Peter Hollins, the State Treasurer, with Steve MacPherson then being elected, unopposed, for another year as State President. 

All in all an excellent day, providing great value for money. Many thanks are due to the day’s presenters, and in particular to our hosts for the afternoon AWH, who made the event the success that it was. 

• SCLAA Golf Day 2008

After an interesting and varied year of events so far, we’ve reached the sharp end of the SCLAA (WA)’s calendar.

The first ‘major(!)’ has just taken place. It was the: SCLAA Golf Day 2008

This year’s event proved to be the most successful golf day ever. There were 96 players and nearly 90 at the following presentation dinner at the Vines resort. Unfortunately this year the weather was not kind to us but competition was still fierce. The scoring format proved to be a great leveller, and thanks to our generous sponsors everyone went home with something.

The top three at the end of the day were:

1st and winners of the new look AMCAP trophy, the team from Australian Container Unpackers - Mark Burge, Matt Boothman, Darren Cron and Jeff Pengelly
2nd, the team from Toll Energy – Paul Neuikerk, Brett Humble, Warren McHardy and Brian Stewart
3rd, the Budget Forklift team of Kevin Templeman, Simon Allen, Graham Goddard and Navinder Singh

All of the above took home commemorative plaques and a variety of prizes.

The Award Winners 2008

At the evening presentation IKEA vouchers and a Taylor made golf bag kindly donated by Drummond Golf were raffled, resulting in $1000 being donated to CANTEEN, the cancer foundation for kids. 

The event couldn’t have been possible without the event’s generous sponsors. These were as follows: 

Platinum: Acerack (racking and shelving systems).

Gold: AMCAP (4PL services including sales support, warehousing and distribution services); Australian Railroad Group (bulk haul and regular rail freighter services throughout WA); Thrifty Truck Rentals (truck, car, van and 4wd rental vehicles throughout Australia); AWH Logistics (3PL storage and distribution services throughout Australia); Jones Lang Lasalle (industrial land and property rental and  development in WA); Supply Chain Services Australia (Perth’s only consultancy service specialising in logistics).

Silver: Toll Energy; Toll IPEC; Road Distribution Services; Driver Recruitment; Remondis; Loscam; Aspermont; Industrial Road Pavers; ACU Group; Budget Forklifts; Workpac; Regal Security; Goldstar transport; Datanet; Transkard 

Prizes: Juniper Wines; Drummond Golf; Barlow Menswear; AMCAP; AWH;Bunnings; IKEA; Vines Resort; Peter Smith. 

Many thanks to our hosts at the Vines Resort and Country Club and for Jim Kelly for his help in organising the event. 

See you all again next year for bags more fun! 

(Report by Mike McGowan, Vice President, SCLAA WA)

Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia Ltd. Contact Details:

Website: http://www.sclaa.com.au/