Western Michigan wins eighth annual GM/WSU Chain Case Competition
The student supply chain team from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business was named champion of the eighth annual General Motors/Wayne State University Supply Chain Case Competition, held Oct. 4-7, 2018, at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.
This year’s 24-school competition, featuring the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-sized pickups, brought four international teams from Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan and China. Twenty domestic teams from as far away as Wyoming also competed for the top prize, the Bill Hurles Trophy, and international bragging rights.
Tim Butler, associate professor of Global Supply Chain Management in Wayne State’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, said, “This event allows us to showcase Southeast Michigan’s prominent place in the global vehicle supply chain and to provide the students competing with a fun and outstanding educational experience.”
The teams were divided into five groups and participated in an initial regional round of competition. The winning first-round teams received a case twist and prepared a second presentation for the competition’s final round.
The WMU team earned top honors, besting finalists from FGV Brazil, University of Toledo, Weber State University and West Virginia University.
The naming sponsor of the event is General Motors, along with the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Other major sponsors included Ryder, Lear, DENSO, Bose and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).
You can view images of the 2018 event on the competition’s Facebook page and the Mike Ilitch School of Business Flickr page.
All students who participate in the competition have the opportunity to interview for internships and permanent positions with event sponsors and partners. Close to 650 students have participated since the first competition in 2011.
