Leaders to Discuss Globalization at 2005 Zaragoza Supply Chain Summit

ZARAGOZA, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2005--David Abney, President, UPS International, John Allan, CEO, Exel, and Edouard Michelin, CEO, Michelin, will deliver keynote addresses on globalization at the 2005 Zaragoza Supply Chain Summit. The event, 'Beyond Offshoring: The Road to Globalization', brings leaders from industry, government and academia to Zaragoza, Spain, May 31 - June 1, 2005, to discuss issues such as government responses to the globalization of business and the changing economics of offshore manufacturing.

"China offers the best opportunity of our generation for global sourcing," said Abney. At the same time, companies can take advantage of increasing opportunities to source close to their primary markets. Central Europe, for example, offers expanding sourcing opportunities for Western Europe. "The key is for companies to balance the benefits of low-cost sourcing with those of geographic proximity," he added.

A challenge that large, global companies face is "excelling in niche markets" believes Michelin. Also, it can be problematic for large enterprises to knit together business practices when customers are scattered across the globe. "It all comes down to the human challenge of having a strong corporate culture that helps a company to embrace a diversity of national cultures," Michelin said.

These keynoters will be joined by senior executives from Dell and Infosys, experts from MIT and Harvard Business School, as well as a panel of journalists from Dow Jones, the Financial Times, The Economist and Politka, to debate the future course of globalization.

The Zaragoza Supply Chain Summit is an annual event organized by the Center for Transportation & Logistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Zaragoza Logistics Center, a research institute associated with the University of Zaragoza. It brings together thought leaders from around the world to discuss supply chain issues that shape business strategy and public policy. The 2004 Summit attracted over 800 attendees.

SUMMIT INFORMATION:

Web: www.mit.edu/zlc/summit2005.htm

Email: summit@zaragozalogistics.com

SUMMIT REGISTRATION CONTACT:

Viajes Mapfre Congresos

Tel: +34 (976) 20 03 68

Fax: +34 (976) 20 14 04

Email: congresos.aragon@mapfre.com

EDITORS NOTE

David Abney and Edouard Michelin discuss globalization in the latest issue of the electronic newsletter MIT Supply Chain Frontiers. For free subscription email: frontiers@MIT.EDU or go to: http://web.mit.edu/ctl/www/frontiers URL: http://www.businesswire.com (399)