Robert Bestercy

Talking with your peers about how to confront shared business challenges is the most valuable piece of this event. LogiChem 2014 has set aside three hours across two days so supply chain, procurement, operations, logistics and transportation management leaders can share best practices that will help their organizations reduce risk, cost and deliver more to the bottom line. Each attendee is able to select two roundtables that they would like to attend over the course of an hour. Table facilitators introduce the topic at hand and encourage participants to share their ideas; full notes are delivered to participants post-event so that there’s a tangible takeaway and key points are not forgotten.

1. Rail Logistics Strategy: Defining Your Fleet Structure And Creating A Competitive Advantage With Freight Costs - Facilitated by Robert Bestercy, Senior Manager, North America Logistics, SABIC
2. Integrating 3PLs And Their Customers: Bridging The Data Divide - Facilitated by Patrick Bian, Global Transportation and Systems Integration Director, Cabot Corporation
3. Building Risk Scenario Planning Into S&OP And Integrated Business Planning - Facilitated by Hal Kramer, Global Demand and Supply Planner, SABIC Innovative Plastics
4. Effectively Assessing And Mitigating Supply Chain Risk: Accounting For Plant Disruptions, Transportation Delays, Labor Strife And Feedstock Availability - Facilitated by Debra van Holst, Director of Logistics, NOVA Chemicals & Elliot M. Wolf, Lead, Production & Supply Risk Management - North America, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC
5. Evaluating Potential Impacts Of Ocean Carrier Mega Alliances On Shippers: How Will This Impact Supply Chain Risk Management, Levels of Service & Cost? – Facilitated by Siva Narayanan, Director, International Operations & Warehousing, Solvay
6. Emergency Response Planning - Facilitated by Randy Speight, Managing Director, Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC), American Chemistry Council

Robert Bestercy, Senior Manager, North America Logistics, SABIC
Thomas Brossart, Director, Global Supply Chain Logistics & Trade Compliance, W.R. Grace & Co.
Marty Lembach, Manager, Global Corporate Logistics, Emerald Materials

As the polar vortex slowed railroads for weeks, chemical companies turned their attention to trucking to fill the void. Spot market rates surged by as much as 20 percent. Bulk shippers of liquid chemicals were in a position to profit. While this was a seasonal event, it highlighted the capacity squeeze in the North American freight system. Shortages of railcars and trucks drivers are making it difficult for chemical manufacturers to service their customers. Since the vast majority of trucks are secured well ahead of time, companies that are bidding for emergency capacity – via forums where trucks advertise their availability and receive bids from needy shippers – are in a no win situation. The HOS regulations have also reduced trucking industry capacity (projected 2-5 percent reduction in driver capacity), driving prices up and reducing the flexibility of carriers. Chemical manufacturers have to adapt to this changing environment and secure the best rates
possible for the movement of product.

Marty Lembach, Manager, Global Corporate Logistics, Emerald Materials
Herman Campbell, Manager, Warehouse Operations, Bayer MaterialScience
Robert Bestercy, Senior Manager, North America Logistics, SABIC

How can you establish a long lasting, mutually beneficial partnership with a 3PL? What must be communicated at the outset and how are both parties held accountable? This panel will address:
• Establishing operational procedures upfront
• Key factors in deciding which 3PL to partner with: Culture fit, solutions, metrics
• Establishing top-down support: Ensuring goals and expectations are communicated down to the operational and facility level
• Creating a true partnership that strives for continuous improvement