General Motors supports eighth annual Wayne State Supply Chain Case Competition

General Motors and the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business are welcoming some of the leading supply chain students in the world to Detroit for an in-depth look at the supply chain systems that support the automotive industry and its high-tech vehicles.

The eighth annual GM-WSU Supply Chain Case Competition, featuring the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, will bring 24 university SCM programs to the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center from Oct. 4-7.  Each school will bring a four person undergraduate supply chain team to the competition. This year, the competition welcomes four international teams from Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan and China. Twenty domestic teams from as far away as Wyoming will also compete for the top prize, the Bill Hurles Trophy, and international bragging rights.

The program will introduce students to the issues and challenges involved in producing leading technology vehicles through a case study. Students will examine topics such as component purchasing strategy, production capacity and planning, global vs. domestic sourcing, logistics, and risk management.

“This is an opportunity to highlight Southeast Michigan’s automotive industry and supply chain management careers in this region, as well as an opportunity to provide students an outstanding educational experience,” said John Taylor, associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business. “Additionally, students will have time to actually visit an auto assembly plant and participate in several panel sessions on supply chain careers.”

This year’s case addresses global purchasing and logistics issues related to the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-sized pickups. Students received the case a month ahead of time and then present in one of five regional rounds on Saturday, Oct. 6. Winners of each regional event will then present their original case solution, and responses to a slight twist in the situation, during a finals round Saturday afternoon.

The teams will be presenting their recommendations to a panel of industry and academic experts during the competition portion of the program. Students will also have an opportunity to visit an automotive assembly plant and take in some Detroit-area sites.

Winning teams will be announced at the awards dinner on Oct. 6 aboard the Detroit Princess. 

For additional information, visit the competition website.

 

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