ACCELERATE2025
THE CONFERENCE BACKSTORY
ACCELERATE2025 and the DMSCA Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP)
Small and midsize manufacturers (suppliers) constitute most of the value in multinational enterprises' Industry 4.0-driven supply chains. However, many multinational enterprises (customers) do not have a specific department focused on the actual development of suppliers, often assuming that suppliers are “supply-chain ready” — an error compounded by the fact that suppliers also feel that they are “supply-chain ready”. This assumption leads to a significant gap in supplier development and competitive engagement. The DMSCA supplier development system, called the Corporate Mentoring Program (CMP), and the Diverse Manufacturing Supply Chain Alliance's national education and training conference, ACCELERATE2025, play crucial roles in addressing both perceptual and real performance gaps regarding supplier readiness.
Assumption vs. Reality
To reiterate, multinational enterprises (customers) operate under the assumption that suppliers are inherently supply-chain ready. Suppliers, especially diverse suppliers, face unique challenges and may lack the resources or knowledge required to meet the stringent demands of Industry 4.0 supply chains. The DMSCA CMP addresses this gap by providing targeted development and mentorship to ensure suppliers meet the necessary standards and capabilities.
Customized Development
The CMP offers tailored support that addresses the specific needs and challenges faced by suppliers , ensuring they can compete effectively in Industry 4.0 supply chains. This support includes training on advanced manufacturing technologies, digitalization, and best practices. Through the CMP, suppliers receive training and guidance on cutting-edge technologies with a focus on the next generation of technological advances in supply chain management and supplier development, providing suppliers with insights and tools to stay ahead in the industry. The DMSCA Supplier Development Foundation supports the need for financial resources to execute performance improvement.
Innovation and Adaptability
The program encourages innovation and adaptability among supplies, making them more resilient and capable of responding to market changes and technological advancements. ACCELERATE2025 will further reinforce this by highlighting the impact that diverse manufacturers can have on their customers’ supply chain innovation and efficiency.
Building Stronger Relationships
Trust and Collaboration
- The CMP fosters trust-based relationships between suppliers and customers. Suppliers will gain insights into the expectations and standards of their customers, leading to stronger, more collaborative partnerships. ACCELERATE2025 serves as a platform for networking and relationship-building, enhancing trust and collaboration across the supply chain.
Long-Term Engagement
- Mentorship helps build long-term engagement strategies that benefit both suppliers and customers by creating a pipeline of reliable, well-developed suppliers on which customers can depend on. ACCELERATE2025 supports this by showcasing successful mentorships and their impact on long-term supply chain relationships.
Supporting Economic Inclusivity
Economic Impact
- Diverse suppliers often bring unique perspectives and innovations to the table. The CMP supports the growth and sustainability of these diverse suppliers, contributing to broader economic impact and job creation within local communities. ACCELERATE2025 highlights the crucial role of diverse manufacturers in driving economic growth and supply chain resilience.
Inclusion and Equity
- Focusing on diverse suppliers, the CMP promotes inclusion and equity within the supply chain, ensuring that a wider range of suppliers can participate and thrive in Industry 4.0 environments. ACCELERATE2025 emphasizes the importance of inclusion and showcases strategies for integrating diverse suppliers into global supply chains. For the most part, however, diverse suppliers would rather compete as really good suppliers that just happen to be diverse.
Aligning with Industry 4.0
Technological Integration
- Industry 4.0 requires the integration of new technologies such as IoT, AI, Generative AI and automation. The CMP provides suppliers with the knowledge and resources needed to integrate these technologies effectively. ACCELERATE2025 addresses these technological advances and their implications for supply chain management and supplier development, preparing SMMs for future challenges.
Future-Proofing Supply Chains
- By developing a supplier to be Industry 4.0-ready, the CMP helps future-proof supply chains, ensuring they are robust, efficient, and capable of handling future technological advancements. ACCELERATE2025 reinforces this by exploring future trends and their potential impact on supply chains.
ENGAGE
ACCELERATE2025 complements these efforts by focusing on next-generation technological advances, their impact on supply chain management, and the critical role of diverse manufacturers. Together, these initiatives strengthen the overall supply chain, making it more resilient, innovative, and inclusive, as well as foster job creation and economic growth. While Early Bird Registration officially opens on August 1st, you can go ahead and register now (just between us); you may, however, officially reserve your room now.