Supply Chains in the Tension Between World Politics and the Corona Crisis

The Federal Association for Material Management, Purchasing and Logistics e.V. (BME) opened the 55th BME Symposium on Purchasing and Logistics DIGITAL on Monday. Under the motto

(Eschborn) – The influence of political framework conditions on global players, efficiency, and the power to optimize cost and value creation structures, as well as the digital future orientation of successful companies, were central themes of the opening plenary session at the 55th BME Symposium on Purchasing and Logistics DIGITAL on Monday.

Symposium Takes New Paths

“This year’s symposium, and thus the largest networking event of the BME, is taking new paths. For the first time in the history of our association, our specialist congress is taking place virtually – supplemented by small physical elements – in a hybrid format,” emphasized Dr. Silvius Grobosch, Managing Director of the Federal Association for Material Management, Purchasing and Logistics e.V. (BME), in his opening speech on Monday. A digital event cannot replace a personal meeting. “However, we will maintain the spirit of the symposium by linking proven concepts with new ideas to create an innovative event format. All program points will continue to take place live, so be interactive. Use the chat forums and digital coffee talks for topic-related or individual discussions,” Grobosch addressed the participants.

Successful Crisis Management as a Success Factor

The motto #summitstormers fits perfectly with this year’s conference program. “A strategy is required to storm a summit. You need the right team, people with their skills and training, as well as the appropriate equipment,” Grobosch continued. On the way to the summit, problems and disruptions are pre-programmed. Therefore, successful crisis management – as the Covid-19 pandemic has impressively shown so far – requires active risk and supplier management. “Economically, we are like the climbers ‘in base camp’. Now it is about preparing for the upcoming economic ascent,” said BME Chairman Horst Wiedmann in his opening speech. To prepare in base camp for the summit storm, companies should, in Wiedmann’s opinion, “first create financial stability: secure liquidity in the long term and strengthen equity.” Furthermore, foresight is required. This means creating scenarios and establishing leeway – building resilience. It is also important to anchor “lean and agile” as principles. This is about flexibility, creativity, and speed. Under “Emission Zero”, Wiedmann summarized the active search of companies for contributions to CO2 reduction in his statement. Even if Corona is eventually over, the old normal will never return. According to the BME Chairman, there are “historical moments when the future changes its direction. The Corona crisis is such a moment. And that doesn’t have to be bad.” The new world after Corona – or better with Corona – emerges from the disruption of the known. Participants of the BME Symposium can interactively exchange ideas on current megatrends in purchasing and supply chain management for four days this year in online plenaries, virtual coffee talks, and deep dives.

This includes, among other things, the key topics:

• Actively shaping supply chain risk management
• Global value chains in transition
• Sustainability in the supply chain
• Digital leadership in purchasing
• Corona shock for the economy: What we have overcome and what is still to come.

Last but not least: At the closing plenary on Thursday, renowned company representatives from Volvo Car Group, Clariant International, Osram Licht AG, and Siemens will discuss their “CPO vision for the future of procurement.”www.bme.de Image: © Federal Association for Material Management, Purchasing and Logistics e.V. (BME)