SAP Breaks Ground in Brazil, Expects Huge Potential

German software firm SAP has opened its first solutions center in Latin America with a new facility in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Latin America is one of the fastest-growing regions for SAP and software sales in the region grew  39 percent last year. The company's revenues for the region are estimated at just under $500 million, or around 4 percent of SAP's total sales of $12.4 billion.

The new facility will develop solutions for mid-sized companies over a basic platform provided by a SAP solutions center in Germany. The solutions are intended for the Brazilian, Argentine, Chilean, Colombian, Mexican and Venezuelan markets, and in particular for retailers, consumer products manufacturers and the utilities sector.

Mexican Border States Shine Spotlight on Maquiladoras

Mayors from across northern Mexico have formed a new organization--the Association of Northern Mexico Border Municipalities--to push border issues higher on the Mexican government's agenda.

One issue of great importance is maquiladoras. These manufacturing operations, mostly concentrated in the border region, would take hits in profit and competitiveness from President Felipe Calderon's fiscal tax reform. Meeting participants called for changes in the new tax code. They also want to encourage domestic producers to make components for the dynamic sector.

At the same time, many of the region's chambers of commerce, which represent maquiladora factories, also have the support of cities and organizations on the U.S. side of the border.

“What helps Tijuana helps San Diego, so we expect to work together to find success,” remarked the president and chief executive of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Top Firms Using Technology to Reduce Landed Cost

Global trade solutions provider Management Dynamics says new research from the Aberdeen Group, entitled "Global Trade Management Strategies: Surviving Growing Complexities in 2007," reveals the importance of technology in reducing landed costs.” Aberdeen surveyed more than 200 enterprises for the study, according to which:

• Companies that currently have import or export compliance automation are 1.4 times more likely to have reported increased customs clearance speed over the past 2 years
• Companies that currently use a global supply chain visibility platform are twice as likely to have reduced total landed costs, lead times and lead time variability from international locations over the past 2 years

The Aberdeen research analyst who authored the study noted that, “Technology plays a critical role in providing the much-needed visibility into international orders and shipments and facilitating the management of all aspects of global trade. Based on this study’s findings, Best in Class companies have used a variety of technology enablers to support GTM (Global Trade Management)." She added that, "These enablers have helped to better plan, execute, and track transactions while keeping global supply chain risks at bay.”

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World Trade, NASSTRAC, AST&L, ISM and NITL present the seventh of 12 webinars in the 2007 Supply Chain Management University series:

Lean Six Sigma Logistics

Date and Time: July 25th, 2007 at 1:00 pm ET

Professor: Thomas J. Goldsby, Ph.D.

University: University of Kentucky

Sponsor: C.H. Robinson 

Course Objectives:

      Logistics, Lean, and Six Sigma form a natural union.  Logistics is about managing inventory.  Leanis about speed, flow, and the elimination of waste.  Six Sigma  is about understanding and reducing variation.  Therefore, Lean Six Sigma Logistics embodies the elimination of wastes through disciplined efforts to understand and reduce variation, while increasing speed and flow in the supply chain. 

      This session illustrates how Logistics Flow, Capability, and Discipline can form the essence of a successful logistics strategy that yields robust processes – processes that delight customers at the lowest possible costs.

Missed a previous event? No Problem! The First 6 Webinars are Now Available On-Demand!  

Visit the archive section and choose from previously held events by leading U.S. Supply Chain Management Universities, at http://supplychainwebinar.worldtrademag.com.