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Resources & News

News From GRA

2013

APR 13 - GRA TO PRESENT AT SMART

GRA Partner Carter McNabb and Andrew Coventry, Operations Director, Catalyst Investment Managers have been invited to present at Australia’s leading Supply Chain Conference – SMART Conference & Expo 2013

Their presentation is titled ‘A Private Equity Perspective: Why industry must focus on the supply chain during difficult economic times’

More details about the SMART Conference 2013 can be found here.

FEB 13 - What Does the Future of Supply Chain Management Hold?

Supply Chain expert Carter McNabb is interviewed in advance of his participation at the Chief Logistics Officer Summit in Queensland, in February this year.

Carter responds to questions such as What developments in the supply chain landscape should CLOs focus on? And What cost saving and profitability boosting opportunities could you recommend?

Read the interview in your browser here or download the pdf below

Download FORMAT
Chief Logistics Officer interview with Carter McNabb PDF

FEB 13 - GRA to join the Chief Logistics Officer Summit 2013 at the RACV Royal Pines Golf Resort & Spa, Gold Coast, Queensland, 17-19 February 2013

The Chief Logistics Officer Summit provides a unique and exclusive forum for logistics professionals to focus on discussions around key new drivers shaping supply chain and logistics excellence today.

GRA’s Carter McNabb lead a Masterclass ‘From Cost Centre to Competitive Advantage – Exploring Leading Supply Chain Strategies to Drive ROI.’

More details about the Chief Logistics Officer Summit 2013 can be found here.

JAN 13 - GRA joins Australia's third national Supply Chain Competition as Hosting Partner

GRA is pleased to once more be a Partner in The Fresh Connection Global Challenge.

The challenge is expected to include 300-400 teams from over 20 countries and is designed to be a learning experience in a competitive simulation environment.

Participants are challenged to work as a team to save the fictional company, The Fresh Connection, from financial ruin. The challenge is to transform the company's supply chain to make it profitable again.

The event will be staged in Sydney on 27 February 2013 followed by Melbourne on 13 March 2013. The Australian finals will be held at the SMART Conference in June.

Limited spaces are still available for the Sydney and Melbourne events. Contact event organisers for more information.

www.thefreshconnection.com.au

2012

DEC 12 - GRA, the social supply chain consultants

GRA was one of the first supply chain consulting firms in Australia to embrace social media. More than four years ago we set up a group Supply Chain & Logistics Australia on LinkedIn for supply chain and logistics professionals in Australia and New Zealand. The group is now the largest of its kind with active participation and debate.

GRA are across many other social media platforms, so please do join us:

AUG - SEPT 12 - Demand Planning & Inventory Optimisation Courses

27 & 28 August 12 - Melbourne

3 & 4 September 12 - Sydney

13 & 14 September 12 - Brisbane

17 & 18 September 12 - Perth

GRA Partner Carter McNabb will facilitate four demand planning and inventory optimisation courses around Australia.

The course has been formulated to provide participants with an understanding of the techniques and tools required to take their forecasting and inventory management capabilities to the next level and deliver “best in class” performance.

This course aims to:

  • Educate in the principles of forecasting & inventory management
  • Provide a “how to” framework for their application
  • Explore the pros and cons of different forecasting & inventory management approaches
  • Assess the impact that improved forecasting & inventory management can have on business performance
  • Discuss successful implementation approaches
  • Identify opportunities for participants to apply the knowledge they have gained in the course within their organisations

For more information or to register, click here to download the full brochure.



APR 12 - Supply Chain Review - Game Changer - Part 2

Cross-channel retailing is the new retail blueprint and logistics service providers must adapt to the new status quo.

GRA Partner Carter McNabb discusses cross-channel retailing as a solution to the issues retailers are currently facing.

"Is cross-channel the end-state or just another step towards a fully integrated online environment?'

The entire article is available as a download below:

Download FORMAT
Game Changer - Part 2 PDF


MAR 12 - Sales & Operations Planning courses across Australia

Delivering balanced and efficient sales and budgets through improved communication and information flow

19 & 20 March - Stamford Plaza, Melbourne

22 & 23 March - Medina Grand, Perth

26 & 27 March - Sir Stamford Circular Quay, Sydney

29 & 30 March - Stamford Plaza, Brisbane

GRA Director, Matt Miller, will lead this practical course which uses industry case studies and 'take-home worksheets' to enable participants to plan for and assess their own organisations.

The course aims to:

  • Educate participants in the principles of sales and operations planning
  • Provide a 'how to' framework to establish and fine tune the S&OP process to ensure it remains effective
  • Explore and consider the data required to support the meeting framework
  • Assess the immpact improved data availability and effective reporting can have on individual and business performance
  • Discuss who should attend each of the framework meetings and their roles in and around the meetings
  • Discuss successful implementation approaches
  • Identify opportunities for participants to apply the knowledge they have gained in the course within their organisations.

Click here to download the Sales & Operations Planning course brochure for further details and registration information.

MAR 12 - GRA sponsors Retail Leaders Forum, Sydney

GRA is sponsoring the Retail Leaders Forum to take place in Sydney on 6 & 7 March 2012.

GRA Partner, Carter McNabb, will join a Roundtable Discussion Panel to discuss the theme, Retail Revolution: What’s going on?
What’s changed and why do we need to adapt?

Reviewing the key drivers of change in modern Australian retail, the discussion will cover:

  • What are the customer’s priorities?
  • Identifying the impact of the Carbon Tax to supply chain costs
  • Finding operational efficiencies to counter tighter consumer spending
  • Best practice retail supply chain strategies
  • How should the retail sector respond?

Other panellists include:

  • Michael Ford - CEO, The Good Guys
  • Mark Garwood, CEO Retail & Supply Chain, Fantastic Holdings
  • Rick Wight - CEO, Foodworks

For more information or to register, click here to download the full brochure.

To register online click hereto go to the Retail Leaders Forum website.

Click here to see the Retail Leaders Forum media release.

FEB 12 - GRA to present at the Technology One Evolve conference, Gold Coast, Queensland

Leading supply Chains can deliver a sustainable competitive advantage, with a focus on creating free cash flow, reducing operating costs and delivering marketing leading service levels.

GRA Partner, Carter McNabb will discuss emerging supply chain challenges and trends with reference to Australian supply chain benchmarketing data.

The Technology One Evolve conference will be held on 23 February 2012 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland.

JAN 12 - GRA ramps up events in the Year of the Dragon

Premier supply chain consulting firm GRA heralds the Chinese Lunar New Year with a quick fire series of events to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

The Year of the Dragon is one of the most revered years of the Chinese Lunar New Year calendar as the dragon is a symbol of good fortune and power in Eastern culture. Given the economic turbulence of recent years, it’s a welcome omen for business.

To see the full press release click here.

 

2011


DEC 11 - Supply Chain Review - Game Changer - Part 1

Prospects for the retail sector appear to be going from bad to worse, with far reaching implications.

GRA Partner Carter McNabb discusses the challenges and opportunities facing retail logistics service providers as the retail environment changes forever.

"Developing a multi-channel strategy can be daunting, particularly for retailers 'forced into it' by falling sales revenues.'

'Will it create a problem or an opportunity for your business?'

The entire article is available as a download below.

Download FORMAT
Game Changer - Part 1 PDF




























NOV 11 - Asset Maintenance in Resources Conference, Perth

GRA's Steve Bray will lead a workshop in Perth. Key benefits and learning outcomes include:

  • Accurately forecasting your demand for Maintenance, Repair & Operations/Overhaul (MRO) spares to maximise uptime performance
  • Improving accuracy in MRO demand planning
  • Optimising MRO inventories

For more information or to register, click here to download the full brochure.

To download the workshop slides click here.


AUG 11 - Supply Chain Review - Glass half-full

Our lives and supply chains are frequently disrupted by natural and unnatural unforeseen event, but many remain unprepared.

GRA Partner Carter McNabb discusses the three elements of supply chain risk management.

"Taking a glass half-full approach, supply chain re-design should focus on taking a two-step strategy with re-design for optimal performance coming first, followed by protecting the optimised system from the event, which albeit random, seem to be becoming more frequent.'

The entire article is available as a download below.

Download FORMAT
Glass half-full PDF


AUG - SEPT 11 - Demand Planning & Inventory Optimisation Courses



11 & 12 August 11 - Melbourne

18 & 19 August - Brisbane

24 & 25 August - Perth

8 & 9 September - Sydney

Carter McNabb will facilitate four demand planning and inventory optimisation courses around Australia.

The course will provide participants with an understanding of the techniques and tools required to take their forecasting and inventory management capabilities to the next level and deliver "best in class" performance.

For more information or to register, click here to download the full brochure.



JUNE 11 - Platinum sponsor GRA to present at Retail World

Australia's premier supply chain consulting firm GRA will present at Retail World in Sydney on Monday 27 June 2011.

GRA Partner, Luke Tomkin will present on 'Exploiting the Supply Chain for Strategic Advantage'.

Retail World is a unique event that combines the insights of influential retailing leaders with innovative supplier solutions, delivering participants effective strategies and a firm understanding of the retailing landscape - enabling better practice and exceptional returns.

Celebrating its 4th successful year in 2011, Retail World continues to expand and grow, and is now accepted as Australia’s only ‘must-attend’ executive level conference and trade show.

This event is broadly divided into three steams: Management; Technology; and Sustainability.

To see Luke Tomkin live at SMART 2011 click here.


MAY 11 - GRA gets SMART

Premier supply chain consulting firm GRA has been named as a finalist in the 2011 SMART awards in the category of Excellence in Supply Chain Management and Distribution.

GRA was shortlisted for its work with Symbion Pharmaceutical Services (SPS) for the successful completion of a project to reduce inventories and improve service levels using GAINS demand planning software.

The SMART conference and expo is the leading event in the Asia-Pacific region for those in the supply chain and logistics industry and will be held on May 25 and 26 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

GRA Partner, Steve Bray, and Deputy Director of Naval Inventory Procurement, Andrew Stephens, will present on ‘Achieving Improved Supply Chain Performance through Organisational Transformation’ on Day 2 of the conference.

To see Luke Tomkin live at SMART 2011 click here.

Click below for a full copy of the press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA gets SMART PDF


MAY 11 - MHD - Supply Chain Network Optimisation

GRA Senior Manager Mark Gibson discusses supply chain network optimisation approaches and benefits.

From inventory optimisation, manuafacturing capacity optimisation and warehouse space optimisation through to route optimisation - we've all heard of or engaged a number of different optimisation approaches.

Each methodology provides benefits to the organisations engaging their techniques, but in most cases, each approach deals with the separate pieces of a supply chain network.

Undertaking a 'whote of supply chain' network optimisation review can be a worthwhile exercise to ensure strategic initiatives are met at the lowest possible cost.

The entire article is available as a download below.

Download FORMAT
Supply Chain Network Optimisation PDF


MAY 11 - GRA to present at National Supply Chain Competition final event

GRA will present at the first National Supply Chain competition on 24 May 2011. 

Taking place at the University of Technology Sydney, GRA Partner Carter McNabb will present alongside Dr John Gattorna, Adjunct Professor at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, author and internationally recognized ‘thought leader’ on supply chains, and Chris Butterworth, Lean Thinking expert.

The event concludes the seven week national competition run by supply chain industry body apics, giving participants the chance to demonstrate and improve their supply chain knowledge and expertise with a web-based business simulation, “The Fresh Connection”.

The full press release is available for download below.

Download FORMAT
GRA to present at National Supply Chain Competition final event PDF

 


APRIL 2011 - Supply Chain Review - The road from China

GRA Partner Carter McNabb discusses the growing set of sourcing alternatives to China.

"China is a crucial trading partner for Australia, particularly with regard to our mineral exports and the range of imports from food staples, through electronics, household goods, automotive parts and even complex heavy-engineering items."

"...there are big changes afoot in global sourcing. Now is the time to revisit sourcing strategies...."

Australian companies are turning to Vietnam, India, Philippines and Thailand as alternative-source markets.

The entire article is available as a download below.

Download FORMAT
The road from China PDF

FEB 11 - MRO Spares & Inventory Optimisation Courses - Perth & Melbourne

GRA's Carter McNabb will lead workshops in Perth and Melbourne. Key benefits and learning outcomes include:

  • Identifying tangible benefits of MRO Inventory Optimisation
  • Balancing inventory needs and requirements with the need to minimise costs resulting from obtaining and holding inventory
  • Mastering MRO inventory strategies for enhanced understanding of demand planning and forecasting to meet demand
  • Improving your lead time management
  • Examining critical aspects that integrates demand, invetory and supply planning
  • Optimising the relationship between costs, constraints, risks and performance management

For more details on the event and to register, download the MRO Spares & Inventory Optimisation brochure.

FEB 11 - GRA teams with Ariba

Leading specialist supply chain consulting firm, GRA,announces that it is teaming with Ariba, Inc., the leading provider of collaborative business commerce solutions to provide a complete suite of supply chain and procurement software solutions and professional consulting services across Australia.

"Building on our existing success in supply chain and inventory optimisation, we're looking forward to working with Ariba to help our customers deliver market-leading results with even greater strength in the procurement field," said GRA Partner, Carter McNabb.

"Focusing on the procurement and spend management elements of the supply chain can deliver significant EBIT improvement. Ariba's market-leading sourcing and procurement solutions complement GRA's exisitng optimisation and supply chain consulting expertise."

Click here to download the full press release.


Download
FORMAT
GRA teams with Ariba
PDF

2010


DEC 10 - Supply Chain Review - Neat & Trim

Packaging giant Amcor Australasia's Paper and Recycling Group is part-way through a supply chain reinvention that will see its manufacturing base consolidated to a single site in Sydney.

"GRA did a fantastic job in analysing our future stock needs and proposing a warehouse solution," said Greg Williamson, Group's General Manager of Supply Chain.

The entire article is available as a download below.

Download
FORMAT
Neat & Trim
PDF

DEC 10 - GRA joins Australia's first national Supply Chain Competition as Gold Partner

"We are delighted to be a part of this innovative interactive competition that demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved by integrating the end-to-end Supply Chain," said Carter McNabb, GRA Partner.

Commencing in March 2011, the seven week competition run by Supply Chain industry body apics will offer participants the chance to demonstrate and improve their supply chain knowledge and expertise with The Fresh Connection web-based business simulation.

Participants are challenged to work as a team to save the fictional company, The Fresh Connection, from financial ruin. The challenge is to transform the company's Supply Chain to make it profitable again.

Originating in the Netherlands, The Fresh Connection competition has been successfully run in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Norway, South Africa, Denmark and Switzerland.

Click here to download the full press release.

Click here to visit the Fresh Connection website for further information and registration details.

NOV 10 - GRA features in latest Supply Chain academic textbook

GRA contributed to the recently released Supply Chain textbook, ‘A Framework for Supply Chains – Logistics Operations in the Asia-Pacific Region’ published by McGraw-Hill. Co-authored by Roger Oakden and Katia Leonaite, the textbook features a chapter entitled ‘Inventory – balancing demand and supply’ and includes a section authored by GRA’s Carter McNabb on inventory optimisation as a planning technique. Applications and benefits of Inventory Deployment Optimisation (IDO) and Network Flow Optimisation (NFO); Multi-Echelon Optimisation (MEO); Service-Level Optimisation (SLO); Marginal Analysis and Optimal Service Parts are explained.

Click here to download further information.

OCT 10 - Healthy Supply Chain GAINS

GRA is achieving continued success in the pharmaceutical industry, with Clifford Hallam Healthcare Pty Ltd (CH2), Australia’s leading wholesaler and distributor of healthcare products and services, joining its list of blue-chip clients.

CH2 will begin using GRA’s flagship forecasting and planning software, GAINS, later this year.

Click here to download the full press release.

AUG 10 - APAC Total Logistics & Supply Chain Forum, Melbourne - 25 & 26 October 2010

GRA's Carter McNabb will facilitate a workshop covering:

  • Improving demand plan accuracy and optimising inventories
  • Learning how to segment inventory and assign appropriate management techniques
  • Forecasting techniques and strategies for different inventory types and planning horizons, such as budgeting versus replenishment
  • Fundamental levers for optimising service levels, inventory costs and inventory levels
  • Calculating inventory related costs, optimal replenishment cycles and statistical safety stocks
  • Practical insights into supply chain modelling and simulation

For more details on the event and to register, download the APAC Total Logistics & Supply Chain Forum brochure.


AUG 10
- MRO Critical Spares Optimisation Course, Brisbane

GRA's Carter McNabb leads a two day course on 16 & 17 August 2010.  Key benefits and learning outcomes include:

  • Exploring the best demand planning strategies to minimise downtime and loss of production
  • Tackling the issues with procuring spares from overseas
  • Improving your lead time management
  • Optimising inventory management and minimising hidden costs
  • Handling obsolete and surplus stock
For more information download the MRO Brisbane Event Brochure.

JUL 10 - GRA to speak at 5th Annual Procurement Conference - 5 & 6 August 2010

Carter McNabb presents at the 5th Annual Procurement Conference. He discusses 'Achieving a Total Supply Chain View of Best Value' and covers topics including:

  • The ripple effect of procurement decisions along the supply chain
  • Optimising value when purchasing 'hard goods'
  • Ongoing performance management - how does the reality live up to the execution?
  • The trade-off of short term gains with long term benefits
  • Maximising efficiency through collaborative planning relationships

For more details on the event and to register, download the brochure 5th Annual Procurement Conference.


J
UN 10 - GRA to lead Supply Chain Management Workshop - 25 August 2010

Carter McNabb has been asked to lead a workshop at the Supply Chain Management Conference. Subjects to be covered include:

  • Improving forecast accuracy and optimising inventories
  • Learning how to segment inventory and assign appropriate management techniques
  • Discussing forecasting techniques and strategies for different inventory types and planning horizons, such as budgeting versus replenishment
  • Understanding the fundamental levers for optimising service levels, inventory costs and inventory levels
  • Learning how to calculate inventory related costs, optimal replenishment cycles and statistical safety stocks
  • Review related key performance indicators (KPIs) and conduct opportunities assessment for your business

For more details on the event and to register, download the brochure Supply Chain Management Conference.


2009





NOV 09
- GRA congratulate Mercury Awards winners

GRA sponsored the 2009 Mercury Award's Top Transport & Logistics Provider.

The annual awards are run by Logistics Magazine, and recognise the significant achievements in Australian supply chain management.

GRA congratulate the winners of Top Transport & Logistics Provider:

Winner: Costa Logistics
Costa Logistics’ CharacterFirst! culture program contributed to a productivity rise from 105% in FY07/08 to 109% in FY 08/09. Over the same period, staff absenteeism dropped from 5.2% to 4.1%. Also staff turnover reduced from 3.5% to 2.8%.  

Highly Commended: NQX Freight System
To provide the same level of training for all its 1500 employees located at 25 depots across Australia, NQX Freight System set up its own Registered Training Organisation (RTO), NQX College.   

OCT 09 - New Online Supply Chain Discussion Forum for Australian and New Zealand professionals

A new online discussion forum Australian Supply Chain Forum has launched to support supply chain and logistic professionals from Australia and New Zealand.

The intention of the forum is to be a neutral place to share information and knowledge to help individuals with professional development and networking opportunities.

Supply chain consulting firm GRA initiated the forum and will continue to support it into the future.

Visit www.australiansupplychainforum.com to join - it's free and open to all.

AUG 09 - "The Agony & Ecstacy" - the 4th Annual Strategic Purchasing Conference, Melbourne

GRA's Carter McNabb has been invited to present at the Strategic Procurement Conference and participate in 'The Great Debate' on procurement legislation. The objective of this conference is to build capacity and skill and to address and discuss the biggest issues shaping procurement practice today.

Read the entire press release and download the conference brochure.

JUL 09 - Improve Supply Chain Performance in Tough Times

GRA's Carter McNabb will present 'Supply chain strategies during an economic downturn' at the Supply Chain Management Conference to be held in Sydney, August 24-26. The presentation will show how leading international and local companies are managing their supply chain to survive and thrive in difficult economic times. Specifically, delegates will learn how to:

  • Quickly improve operating cash flow (OCF)
  • Reduce supply chain operating costs
  • Deliver market leading service levels
  • Build organisational capability and restructuring internal operations
  • Understand the critical roles and requirements for effective supply chain management

Registration details are available from www.tonkincorporation.com or download the brochure below:

Download FORMAT
Supply Chain Management Conference 2009 PDF

APR 09 - Recession Beating Supply Chain Strategies: Carter McNabb to speak at Retail World

GRA's Carter McNabb will speak about 'Recession Beating Supply Chain Strategies - significant, quick win opportunities that exist in your business today'. His talk will include:

  • How to create free cash flow, reduce operating costs and deliver market leading service levels by applying supply chain practices
  • Practical examples of what leading global and local companies are doing

The conference will be held in Sydney on 29th & 30th June. For registration details visit www.retail-world.com.au. If you mention 'GRA' when you register, you are entitled to a $200 reduction in your registration fee.

JAN 09 - Super Cheap Auto win Supply Chain Award

GRA congratulate our client Super Cheap Auto on winning the prestigious Australia's Best Platinum Award For Supply Chain Excellence.

Super Cheap Auto’s General Manager of Group Logistics, Graham Chad, was interviewed for Australia’s Best magazine about the company’s supply chain strategy and achievements. In it, he says:

“Enhanced stock flow has ensured less ‘out of stocks’ in store for our customers, facilitating higher stock turnover. It has also helped to reduce costs in a uniquely inflationary and higher cost environment, for example the impact of rising fuel costs, and has allowed us to effectively handle promotion-driven retail stock flow at an overall lower cost. All of this means we can identify and launch innovative value products and concepts quicker than competitors, while maintaining the relevance of our core range.”

Read the entire article as it appears in Australia's Best magazine in download box below:

Download FORMAT
Super Cheap Australia's Best PDF

NOV 08 - GRA Sponsor SMART Supply Chain Conference Sydney, June 10-11, 2009

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to sponsor the SMART 2009 Conference.
Held every two years, the Smart Conference is the largest supply chain and logistics event staged in Australia and is the major forum of its type in Asia-Pacific.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA Sponsors SMART 2009 PDF

OCT 08 - Launch of S&OP Whitepaper for Food & Grocery Industry

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) have released a Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) whitepaper to assist their members in raising industry standards.

GRA supply chain consultants was commissioned to write the S&OP Whitepaper by the AFGC.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
Launch of S&OP Whitepaper PDF

OCT 08 - MRO Spares Optimisation Course
Malaysia 11th & 12th November 2008

GRA’s Carter McNabb will conduct an interactive two-day MRO Spares Optimisation course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Marcus Evans Conferences.

The course will look at strategic insights and in-depth processes that support effective spares management to provide for efficient maintenance planning, scheduling and equipment reliability improvement.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
MRO Spares Optimisation Course PDF

AUG 08 - GRA Launches ORion-PI® - New Network Optimisation Tool for Australia

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to announce the launch of ORion-PI, an internationally recognised best-of-breed supply chain network optimisation tool, into the Australian marketplace.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
Launch of ORion-PI® PDF

AUG 08 - GRA on the Move

GRA has outgrown its office space, and moved to:

110 Jolimont Road
East Melbourne
Victoria 3002 Australia

Phone: (03) 9421 4611
Fax: (03) 9663 0579

JUL 08 - GRA to present at CPA Management Accounting Conferences 2008

GRA partner Carter McNabb has been invited to speak at the CPA’s Management Accounting Conference series 2008.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA to present at CPA Events PDF

MAY 08 - GRA, Gold sponsor of Retail World Management & Technology Conference 2008

GRA supply chain consultants is the Gold sponsor of this year's Retail World Management & Technology Conference to be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on 17 & 18 June 2008.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA sponsors Retail World 2008 PDF

APR 08 - GRA sponsors APICS 2008 International Conference

GRA supply chain consultants is a sponsor of this year's APICS International Conference to be held in the Gold Coast on 15-18 June.

GRA partner, Carter McNabb, will present Demand Planning, Inventory Optimisation and S&OP at Super Cheap Auto at noon on Monday 16 June. The case study presentation will detail the demand and supply chain management issues confronted by Super Cheap's rapidly growing business, how the company went about addressing them - from a people, processes and systems perspective - and the results achieved.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA sponsors APICS 2008 Conference PDF

APR 08 - GRA invited to present at Supply Chain Conference Sydney 2008

GRA partner, Carter McNabb, has been invited by the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) to speak at the Supply Chain Conference - Sydney 2008.

The presentation, Stock Exchange: How a publicly listed company optimised its inventory and increased its share price, will highlight the relationship between effective inventory management and the positive outcomes this can have on a company's overall performance.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA to present at Supply Chain Conference Sydney 2008 PDF

MAR 08 - Super Cheap Auto's continuing success

GRA supply chain consultants would like to congratulateSuper Cheap Autoon its impressive half year results recently announced to the stock market.

Highlights achieved by the Group for six months to Dec 07 include:

* Group Net Profit After Tax up by 38% over PCP

* Group EBIT up by 36% over PCP

* Group sales up by 17% over PCP

* Effective working capital management kept net debt low ($9.3 million increase) relative to new store and refurbishment investment of $30.9 million.

The company's strong profit performance was driven by top-line growth, gross margin improvement, cost control and tight working capital management. 

Super Cheap Auto employs GRA's consulting services and uses the GAINS forecasting and planning tool

FEB 08 - GRA sponsors UNICEF

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to be a UNICEF Corporate Champion for Children.

UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund, the world's leading advocate for children. UNICEF is non-political and works in over 150 countries to make a lasting difference to the lives of women and children around the world.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA sponsors UNICEF PDF

DEC 07 - GRA Finalist in Australian Supply Chain& Logistics Excellence Awards 2007

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to be a finalist in the 2007 Information Management Award (Len Smith Trophy) at this year's Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA) Awards.

The Information Management award is for significant achievement in the use of communications, information management, technology and e-business in any aspect of logistics and supply chain management, with particular regard to the added value produced by the achievement.

NOV 07 - GRA Announces new GAINS clients

Mitre 10, Super Cheap Auto, Atlas Speciality Metals, Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety (Blackwoods) and Honda (Motor Vehicle) Australia have all recently implemented GRA’s demand, inventory, supply chain planning and optimisation tool, GAINS.

SEP 07 - GRA turns ten

This year GRA supply chain consultants celebrates ten years of supply chain excellence.

From its inception in early 1997 the company is now positioned as Australia's premier specialist supply chain consulting firm.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA turns ten PDF

AUG 2007 - GRA supporting academic excellence

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to sponsor the University of Melbourne and Michigan State University's Executive Development Program in Supply Chain & Logistics Management from October 28 to November 1.

The five-day residential program will provide directors, senior executives, managers and practitioners with well researched, best practice perspectives on the essential elements of supply chain management.

Numbers are strictly limited. So reverse your place soon.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA Sponsors University of Melbourne EDP PDF
University of Melbourne EDP Brochure 2007 PDF

AUG 07 - S&OP Conference 2007

GRA supply chain consultants is actively involved in this year's S&OP Conference to be held on 29 & 30 August.

Carter McNabb, GRA Partner will chair the event and also present 'Overtaking the Competition - S&OP at Super Cheap Auto' on Day 1.

Peter Burgess, GRA Partner will present 'Selecting Software Tools for Forecasting' on Day 2.

Luke Tomkin, GRA Senior Manager will participate on the panel 'Starting Out: Implementing a S&OP Process into your Business' on Day 1 along with Dan Knox, National Demand Planning Manager at Fonterra.

GRA representatives will be present at the conference to discuss demand, inventory and supply chain management challenges with delegates.

For more information about the event visit the S&OP Conference website.

Clickhereto read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA at S&OP Conference 2007 PDF

APR 07 - GRA sponsors Education Sessions at SMART 2007 Conference

GRA is proud to sponsor the Education Forum at the SMART 2007 Conference. As an active contributor and supporter of educational excellence, GRA recognises that addressing the training, mentoring and coaching needs of supply chain practitioners is paramount in maintaining international competitiveness, as well as supporting the next generation of supply chain leaders.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
SMART 2007 GRA Sponsors Education Sessions PDF

APR 07 - GRA's Exhibition Seminar Presentation at SSCT announced

GRA supply chain consultants has been invited to present at the Smart Supply Chain Technology Show on June 20, 2007. Carter McNabb will present Stock Exchange: reducing stocks to increase share price, a case study on how tight inventory management impacted the share price of one Australian company. This seminar will include key initiatives delivered, measurable results achieved and reasons for success. Forecasting and planning initiatives that improved service levels, reduced inventory and improved operating cash flow will be explained.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
SSCT 2007 Presentation by Carter McNabb PDF

MAR 07 - GRA and Super Cheap Auto to present joint case study at SMART 2007

GRA Partner Carter McNabb and Christine Ogden, Super Cheap Auto Group's Operations Manager will present a Demand Planning case study on Day One of the SMART 2007 Conference. This presentation will detail the demand and supply chain management issues confronted by Super Cheap's rapidly growing business, how the company went about addressing them - from a people, processes and systems perspective - and the results achieved.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA Joint Presentation with Super Cheap at SMART 2007 PDF

FEB 07 - GRA Wins Mercury Award for Best Technology Application

"The Mercury Awards panel of judges agreed that GRA has distinguished itself as a sophisticated supply chain technology consultant, with particular expertise in the field of advanced planning and supply chain optimisation. In particular, the innovative use of the company's GAINS planning tool to reduce Super Cheap Auto's inventory by 12% and generate a $12 million benefit to operating cash flow as part of the FOSIL Project, was an exceptional achievement in a difficult retail climate." Anna Game-Lopata, Logistics Magazine Editor

Click here to read the entire press release.

Download FORMAT
GRA Wins Mercury Award 16.02.07 PDF

DEC 06 - GRA Committed to Australian Supply Chain Excellence

GRA supply chain consultants is proud to once again sponsor Monash University and Michigan State University's Supply Chain & Logistics Management Executive Development Program from 4-8 February 2007.

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GRA Sponsoring Monash University EDP 2007 PDF
Monash EDP 2007 Brochure PDF

NOV 06 - GRA at SCM World 2006

GRA supply chain consultants will exhibit and participate in a session panel at this year's SCM Logistics World. The topic of discussion will be Establishing the Value of Demand Driven Supply Networks.

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GRA at SCM Logistics World 2006 PDF

SEPT 06 - GRA Improving Supply Chain Management Knowledge

Next week GRA Partner, Carter McNabb, will conduct a course on Forecasting and Inventory Management for the Asia Pacific Centre for Continuing and Professional Development (a division of the Asia Business Forum) in both Singapore and Bangkok.

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GRA Improving Supply Chain Management Knowledge PDF
GRA Asia Pacific Training Singapore PDF
GRA Asia Pacific Training Bangkok PDF

AUG 06 - Carter McNabb to present Lean Inventory Management

Carter McNabb will present 'Lean Inventory Management' on Monday 21st August as a guest speaker at the APICS 2006 International Conference.

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Carter McNabb to present at APICS PDF

JUL 06 - GRA to exhibit at APICS 2006

GRA supply chain consultants will exhibit at the APICS 2006 international conference in Melbourne on 20-23 August.

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GRA at APICS 2006 PDF

MAY 06 - Using the Science of Optimisation

Carter McNabb will present 'Using the Science of Supply Chain Optimisation to Improve Service Levels and Reduce Costs' on Friday 14th July as a guest speaker at the Queensland 2006 Logistics & Supply Chain Conference.

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Carter McNabb to present at Qld SC Conference PDF

MAY 06 - Carter McNabb to present at LAA event

Carter McNabb will present 'Busting The Myths of Inventory Management' on Thursday 15th June at Monash University as part of the LAA (Vic) Knowledge Development Workshop series.

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Carter McNabb to present at LAA Event PDF

MAR 06 - Hagemeyer US selects GAINS

HAGEMEYER North America has chosen demand and supply chain planning system GAINS to profit optimise their US supply chain. Hagemeyer North America is a leading value-added B2B distributor of products and services with hundreds of locations across Canada, Mexico and the US.

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GAINS Hagemeyer PDF

FEB 06 - GAINS Wins APICS Award

THE APICS (Association for Operations Management) 2005 Innovation Award in the USA recognises the development of a new technique or product that has significantly advanced the field of operations management.

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APICS Award GAINS PR PDF

DEC 05 - GAINS' new ERP Integration Application Tool Kit

GRA has announced the commercial release of its GAINS' enterprise resource planning (ERP) integration application. The GAINS Integration Tool Kit is designed to interface with major ERP systems such as those of Oracle Corp, Oracle's J.D. Edwards line of software and SAP.

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Supply Chain Software GAINS' new ERP integration application PDF

NOV 05 - GRA Sponsors Monash University Supply Chain & Logistics Management Executive Development Program

GRA supply chain consultants is to sponsor Monash University and Michigan State University's Supply Chain & Logistics Management Executive Development Program for 2006.

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GRA sponsors Monash University Supply Chain & Logistics Management Executive Development Program PDF

SEPT 05 - Carter McNabb to speak at Interlog 2005

GRA founding member Carter McNabb is to speak at the fifth annual Interlog 2005 conference on Monday, November 28, in Dockside, Sydney. Interlog is the premier aftermarket product support and service parts logistics event for Australasia.

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GRA Partner Carter McNabb to speak at Interlog 2005 PDF

AUG 05 - Carter McNabb to speak at ASFMI event

Carter McNabb is to speak to members from the Association For Services Management International (AFSMI) and the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Customer Service Special Interest Group on 25 July.

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GRA Partner Carter McNabb to address AFSMI & AIM PDF

JAN 04 - GRA / GAINS RFID Press Release

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GRA / GAINS RFID Press Release PDF

FEB 03 - GAINS v6

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GRA GAINS v6 Press Release PDF

OCT 2002 - GRA wins battle for Defence Force Business

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GRA wins battle for Defence Force Business PDF
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Articles

Symbion Pharmacy Services leads the way in supply chain optimisation - MHD Magazine

One of Australia's largest pharmaceutical companies, Symbion Pharmacy Services, successfully implemented GAINS and achieved the following market-leading results: inventories reduced by 26%, service levels increased while supply chain efficiency improved.