Despite the fact that the 2021 Supply Chain Excellence Awards are not announced until 8th November, the team behind the industry accolades, Akabo Media, and the +30 judges involved are already gearing up for the scrutinous shortlisting process, the deadline for which finishes on 30th July 2021.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Supply Chain Excellence Awards is widely regarded as the industry’s most sought-after prize, the “Oscars of the supply chain and logistics sector” according to Pentland Brands’ Chris Warn, judge and former winner, since claiming top spot recognises successful collaboration not only within a company’s four walls, but also throughout key supply chain partnership networks. “It means so much to so many people – there are many unsung heroes delivering operational excellence,” admits Matthew Kocinski, Inventory & Distribution Manager at Nutricia, who along with CEVA Logistics, scooped the ‘Clipper Logistics Award for Supply Chain Operations’ in 2020.
“It recognises projects that demonstrate excellence in the efficiency of a supply chain operation,” Kocinski continues. “Nutricia and CEVA Logistics highlighted their achievements in delivering continuous improvements focused on the joint core values of environmental sustainability, productivity and customer experience. These have brought financial and service benefits to the business, healthcare professionals and patients.”
“We were thrilled to be recognised as a Supply Chain Excellence Award winner,” recalls Adam Coventry, Head of Warehousing, Boots UK, who walked off with the ‘Unipart Logistics Award for Best Use of Robotics’ last year. “Our ongoing work using robotics in our warehouses and our partnership with Locus continues to be important to the success of our e-commerce business, ensuring that our fulfilment centre operations are optimised even in the face of seasonal peaks and Covid-19.”
“It showcased the real impact that robotics has across retail and the supply chain,” adds Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. “As our work with Boots shows, AMRs are now essential for retailers looking to remain successful amid the e-commerce boom that has been accelerated by the pandemic.”
Winning a Supply Chain Excellence Award is, of course, the ultimate prize, but the benefits of being shortlisted should not be underestimated either, since an organisation has got to that stage following a highly diligent and totally independent, non-biased judging procedure.
“The integrity is 100%,” confirms Alastair Charatan, one of the esteemed judges, who has more than 25 years’ experience in retail, business-to-business distribution, e-commerce and management consultancy at companies including Travis Perkins, Jewson, The Body Shop and PWC. “It is a really rigorous and objective process. Therefore, shortlisting and winning means a company has shown excellence in its category. Having in the past submitted entries, I also know that the process has many benefits for the company – e.g. developing a presentation that can be used for other communications, and the motivation if shortlisted and attending the awards evening.”
There is still time to submit your entry for the Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2021 and in a year that has seen the supply chain and logistics sector really step up to the plate, we are certain to have some commendable projects put before the panel for shortlisting.
For further information and to view the categories, please click here . For queries about entering or any other Awards-related questions, please email Daniel Jessop by clicking here
