The Executive Masters in International Logistics & Supply Chain Strategy (EMIL-SCS) class of 2015 recently completed their fourth residence, with visits to Hong Kong, China, Dubai, and Mumbai. 

The class began the residence in Hong Kong, a longtime favorite of the program.  To kick things off, the class met with Dr. Ping Ping Fu, Associate Professor of Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.  Fu provided the students with an introduction to the region, focusing on leadership challenges and successes in China. 

The following morning, the class traveled to a corporate site visit at DKSH, the leading Market Expansion Services Group with a focus on Asia.  The class met with Victor Hew, Head of Central Management Team at DKSH to discuss the company and logistics in Hong Kong.  The class then traveled to the DKSH warehouse in the Hutchison Logistics Center to discuss healthcare logistics, supply chain management.  The class finished the day with a tour of the facility.   

Day 2 in Hong Kong began with a meeting with Mark Millar, Managing Partner of MPower Associates for a discussion on the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong region.  Millar led the class through discussions about the business climate in China, special incentives for companies to use Hong Kong, variety, complexity, opportunities and challenges across Asia, and Asia’s key emerging markets. 

After lunch, the class took the MTR to Li & Fung, for a meeting with their President of Logistics, Joseph Phi.  Phi engaged the class in a presentation about Li & Fung, the company’s business opportunities, and innovations in the supply chain field.  Phi also discussed global sourcing opportunities offered by the company. 

After 2 full days in Hong Kong, the class traveled by train to Shenzhen, China for a day trip full of visits.  The day kicked off with a visit to SF Express, a logistics provider headquartered in China.  The class met with Alan Wong, Vice President of Corporate Development for a discussion on SF Express residential delivery program, e-commerce and fulfillment, custom logistics solutions, and international growth and operations.  Next, the class traveled to Da Chan Bay Terminal One, a relatively new port terminal on the Yangtze River, for an overview of the port, and a presentation about port operations and throughput.  The class crossed back into Hong Kong that evening for one final night in the city.

The final day in Hong Kong started with a site visit to Cathay City, Cathay Pacific’s headquarters near the Hong Kong International Airport.   The class took a tour of the facility, seeing everything from pilot training facilities to crew operations and training and flight simulators.  Following the site visit, the class boarded a plane for Dubai.

The first morning in Dubai, the class met with Dr. Wasseem Mina, Associate Professor of Economics & Finance at the United Arab Emirates University, for a discussion on the Middle East and North African region.  Mina talked about economic and social developments in the UAE and region, as well as investment opportunities and risks.  That afternoon, the class stayed in the hotel to meet with Francis Cherian, EMIL-SCS Class of 2008 alumnus and co-founder of Innovatus, for a discussion about strategic sourcing and how a success sourcing strategy plays into success supply chain management.  The lecture focused on how to develop a strategic sourcing methodology, supplier relationship management, supplier rationalization, and enablers, specifically, how to execute strategic sourcing within your company and how to create a framework for initiating strategic sourcing. 

On Day two in Dubai, the class took some free time to explore the city.  Groups visited the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, the Dubai Mall, and the Mall of the Emirates.  In the afternoon, the class took a desert safari, which included dune buggy driving, sand surfing, camel riding, and henna tattoos.  The day ended with a delicious Middle Eastern meal in the desert before heading back to the hotel.

Classes resumed on Sunday, beginning week two with a site visit to the Caterpillar (CAT) Parts Middle East Distribution Center.  The class met with Dale Carr, Logistics Center Manager for a presentation on CAT in the Middle East, managing labor in the Gulf, and reaching customers in the region.  The class traveled back to the hotel in the afternoon for Part I of a course on Labor, taught by Owen Darbishire, Rhodes Trust Associate Professor in Management Studies at Said Business School at Oxford University. 

Day three in Dubai began with the final part of Darbishire’s Labor presentation, discussing labor relations, issues, opportunities and risks in the UK, EU, and USA.  Darbishire also covered various labor models from around the world.  After lunch, the class traveled to Aramex for another site visit.  Aramex is a global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions in the Middle East.  The class met with various people within the company to discuss the company’s strategy and business model.  The visit ended with a tour of Aramex’s distribution center and warehouse. 

The final day in Dubai began with a site visit to the Dubai Multi-Commodities Center (DMCC), for a presentation on DMCC, the Free Zone, gold & diamond exchanges, and DMCC Tradeflow.  After leaving DMCC, the class boarded a plane for Mumbai, India for the final leg of the journey.

The following morning, the class met with Jasjit Sethi, CEO of TCI Supply Chain Solutions, for a presentation on logistics and cold chain in India.  In the afternoon, the class traveled to Hindustan Unilever for the final site visit of the trip.  The class learned about retail in India, Unilever’s channels and segmentations, and the impact of VAT may have on Unilever’s business. 

On the final day of Residence IV, the class met with Pankaj Mehta from Carrier Transicold for a more in depth presentation on cold chain in India. 

Up next for the EMIL-SCS Class of 2015?  Residence V will be held from May 3-15, 2015 in Montreal, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico, and Seattle, Washington. 

For more on the EMIL-SCS Program, contact Jonathan Goitz at jonathan.goitz@isye.gatech.edu or visit http://www.emil.gatech.edu/