FMI Sets First Supply Chain Forum

FMI–The Food Industry Association’s first Supply Chain Forum, set for April 6-7, is designed for mid-senior level supply chain professionals wanting to engage and learn about a range of timely topics across the industry.

Topics for this first event, to be held online, will include the data discipline required for better on-shelf availability; the ways automation is disrupting and addressing labor challenges; and a deep dive into the microfulfillment landscape. 

“FMI members across the spectrum—upstream suppliers through the wholesaling and distribution and transportation networks to the retail community—need to come together with some shared principles of supply chain resilience,” said Marjorie DePuy, senior director of supply chain and sustainability for FMI. “It is more complicated than just buying and holding more inventory. We are in a global network of supply and each handoff—from ingredients onward—requires the exchange of accurate and complete data as well as safe handling and transport to the next link in the chain.”

The online sessions will be brief and practical, Arlington, Va.-based FMI said, building on a call to action to remove friction from the system while also building in additional resilience to meet future challenges head on. The event will also include a series of Solutions Spotlights to help attendees hear directly from solution providers with new or updated resources, as well as Event Partner pages to interact directly with event partners. 

“A year into our collective COVID-19 response, most people now have a more informed view of our global supply chains, and know the time and materials involved in moving goods around the world and around our country,” DePuy continued. “As we are wired to ask ourselves, how can we be better/stronger/more prepared next time, there is no better time to come together as an industry and look forward with specific ideas and opportunities to remove supply chain friction and improve our agility and resilience.”

Registration is now open for the Supply Chain Forum.