After a tumultuous couple of years for the supply chain and logistics industry, SCLAA recently held its 60th annual Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Awards – long considered the industry’s night of nights. MHD was there to cover this long-awaited and exciting event.
It was a long time in the making but the 60th Annual Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Awards (ASCLA) hosted by the SCLAA was held at Crown Palladium Melbourne on March 18 and it didn’t disappoint.
After a virtual awards event in 2020, and postponement of the 2021 awards, the 60th Anniversary of the Awards attracted a record attendance. Conditions were perfect, with no interstate travel restrictions or density limits, and the supply chain community responded with enthusiasm to attend the industry’s most prestigious and highly- anticipated awards.
It was a night where supply chain and logistics companies from all sectors came together to celebrate industry-leading achievements and innovations.
Actor and comedian Shane Jacobson of Kenny fame was MC and the perfect host who kept the laughs rolling throughout the night while pulling together the various segments of the formalities of the event.
The Award’s event theme was “Partnerships of Strength”, and acknowledged that through co-operation, the industry can thrive and overcome challenges. More than 150 businesses were represented at the gala. The support for the Awards this year was overwhelming with much appreciation given to the sponsors JLL, uTenant, Gamma Solutions, RFSmart, Import Export TV, Dematic, Swisslog, LMA & Biarri.
Sue Tomic, Board Chair of the SCLAA said one of the purposes of the event was to acknowledge outstanding achievement in Supply Chain and provide encouragement for future excellence.
“The key objective of the Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Awards is to encourage and promote advances within the industry across technology, education, services, and innovation,” Sue announced in her opening speech.
She made special mention of three important Cs: “connection, collaboration, and crisis”.
Connection involves being part of the SCLAA, which provides the platforms for industry to network, exchange ideas, expand their knowledge and working to make change and improving outcomes for the industry.
She said collaboration involves the Association linking the various sectors in supply chain and logistics – including shipping, ports, and freight forwarders, to name just three. She added it was all about focusing on multiple industries and embracing various sectors.
SCLAA, as a cross-sector association, plays a critical role in connecting the industry with corporations that have cutting-edge technology to solve issues or create the solutions required.
Sue said that crisis was certainly an everyday experience for the industry during the pandemic with disruptions to manufacturing and shipping, and continues as the industry still operates from “just-in-time” to “just-in-case” cargo and goods management.
The crisis also presents in the form of labour resource shortages in the industry. Sue also said SCLAA, which has always been focussed on promoting the industry as a profession, will continue to advocate and launch initiatives to attract and retain talent to the industry.
She noted SCLAA received a record number of submissions across all 10 Award categories, covering various areas of supply chain with nominations judged by a SCLAA judging panel headed by Chief Judge Cathy-Anne Jones. The judging panel chose a High Commendation recipient and a winner of the ASCLA for each category.
The following is a complete list of the winners:
• Automation, Robotics or Emerging Technology
WINNER: Kent Rogers & Karl Brooks – DHL Supply Chain & Packsize
• Environmental Excellence Award
WINNER: Schneider Electric
• Future Leaders Award
WINNER: Chethan Vijaykumar & Margaret McGahan
• Industry Excellence Award
WINNER: Tom Fitzwalter – TMX Global
• Logistics Management Award
WINNER: Yasmin Grigaliunas – World’s Biggest Garage Sale
• International Supply Chain Award
WINNER: IFC Global Logistics
• Big Data, IT & Business Intelligence Award
WINNER: GHD Digital
• Start-up Award
WINNER: Adiona Tech
• Supply Chain Management Award
WINNER: Swisslog & Manhattan Associates
• Training, Education & Development Award
WINNER: TAFE NSW
The newly introduced Start-Up Award went to Adiona Tech.
“Being recognised by an ASCLA, especially in the very competitive inaugural Start-Up category, is incredibly motivating for our entire team. It reinforces the demand for innovation and sustainability solutions that members of the SCLAA are no longer just asking for – but demanding,” Richard Savoie, CEO of Adiona Tech, says.
The keynote speaker this year was ANL Shipping line MD, Shane Walden. Shane delivered an on-point presentation and provided an outlook and insights on international shipping only available from someone coming from the inside-world of international shipping. Of note, Shane forecast that current shipping pressures would continue at least until mid-2023.
There was also an inspiring presentation from Sponsor uTenant co-founder Kyle Rogers, who spoke about his journey in co-founding Australia’s leading online industrial property software platform uTenant. He spoke about the concept of co-opetition (cooperation with your competition), which provided inspiration and encouragement to everyone.
Stephen Lakey, State director for Victoria and Chair of Awards Event Committee states that the success of the awards this year has the organising team thinking how to top this one for the 61st awards, with some great ideas already put forward. Watch this space Supply Chain!
For more information on the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia, click here.