JANUARY 2009
VOLUME 7 NO. 1
inside
24 a series of fortunate events:
interview with Susan Rider
BY MITCH MAC DONALD
Susan Rider was running an ad agency when a fortuitous
conversation with a banker changed the course of her career. What
followed was a curious journey that has taken her to the top of the
supply chain profession.
32 ready for the storm
BY JAMES A. COOKE
Our exclusive survey shows that distribution managers weren’t
waiting around last fall for official pronouncements
of a recession. They were already buckling up and hunkering
down for a rough ride.
37 taking it off the streets (and highways)
BY MARK B. SOLOMON
The trucking industry’s future may lie not with the roads,
but with the rails.
42
the greening of Whirlpool’s
supply chain
BY JAMES A. COOKE
At Whirlpool, being green is more than just spin. Not only has
the appliance maker taken the lead in developing energy-efficient
products, but it has also redesigned its supply chain with an eye
toward conserving energy and cutting air pollution.
51 fleeing China? Look before you leap
BY MARK B. SOLOMON
2008 gave U.S. companies many reasons to re-examine sourcing
in China. But pulling up stakes may not be the answer.
59 software for hard times
BY JAMES A. COOKE
The economy may be slumping, but analysts say demand for
supply chain execution software will stay strong this year.
63
Do It Best learns to do it better
BY DAVID MALONEY
The hardware co-op discovered that software and RF devices can
go a long way toward streamlining order fulfillment. But adding
voice technology makes it better.
