Western Michigan University wins 11th annual GM/WSU Supply Chain Case Competition
The student supply chain team from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business was named champion of the 11th annual General Motors/Wayne State University Supply Chain Case Competition, held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, 2021.
This year’s 18-school competition involved sourcing battery trays for the GMC Hummer EV and Brightdrop Electric Delivery Van. Teams from as far away as Utah competed for the top prize, the Bill Hurles Trophy, and national bragging rights.
Tim Butler, case competition co-chair and associate professor of global supply chain management at Wayne State’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, said, “This year, students came to Detroit to network with executives and learn about the automotive industry. We thank our sponsors and all of the volunteers who made this another remarkably successful case competition.”
The teams were divided into four 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 Western Michigan University team earned top honors, besting finalists from Kansas State University, Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
The naming sponsor of the event is General Motors, along with the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Other major sponsors included Ryder, DENSO, Lear, Bose, AGC and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).
More than 850 students have competed in the GM/WSU Supply Chain Case Competition over the past 11 years.
