MIT-CTL Crossroads Symposium Mulls Effects of Avian Flu; Results Demonstrated with Ground...

WASHINGTON -- When unexpected disaster strikes a company, decision makers often find themselves at a crossroads, where supply chain and emergency response intersect. Without a well-prepared roadmap in hand, the supply chain -- and by extension, the company -- can indeed fall to its knees.

That was the overriding message at a recent supply chain disruption simulation, conducted by the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL)(http://ctl.mit.edu/). Dubbed "At the Crossroads of Supply Chain and Strategy," (or "Crossroads 2006" for short), the one-day symposium in Cambridge, Mass. was attended by major corporate leaders looking to learn the most effective methods for protecting their supply chains from unforeseen catastrophe.

The day focused on two principal stories of disaster recovery in the face of disruption. The first story was a simulation of a bird flu pandemic used to illustrate procedures for coping with emergencies. Immersion in this "experimental theater" dominated much of the symposium. The second story delved into the real-life response of Procter & Gamble (P&G) to Hurricane Katrina, at the company's large coffee processing plant in New Orleans. Both scenarios generated useful insights in how to prepare the supply chain for sudden disruptions.

The subsequent white paper & synthesis report, created by MIT-CTL's newsletter, Supply Chain Strategy, examines the universal lessons imparted by Crossroads 2006. In conjunction with the event, Supply Chain Strategy conducted a research study, which posed supply chain preparedness questions to high level managers and directors at companies in a host of vertical markets.

The result of this top-level analysis & expertise demonstrated at Crossroads has been synthesized exclusively for Supply Chain Strategy readers in the online RESOURCE CENTER at www.MITsupplychainstrategy.com.

Supply Chain Strategy's mission remains clear and constant -- driving competitive advantage for subscribers by linking corporate strategy and supply chain management. This focus is unique, and has made SCS a market leader with a readership of senior executives from a broad cross-section of industries and corporate disciplines.

To become a subscriber of Supply Chain Strategy, and access the exclusive MIT-CTL Crossroads white paper, visit www.MITsupplychainstrategy.com.