UWF supply chain logistics students place second in national competition

Mar. 22, 2019

A group of six University of West Florida supply chain logistics students traveled to Denver where they placed second at Operation Stimulus, the longest running supply chain and logistics student case competition in North America. UWF surpassed 14 schools from across the country, for example, Iowa State, Miami University, Syracuse, and North Texas. Since attending for the first time 14 years ago, this is the ninth year that UWF has placed in the top four.

The UWF students who attended the logistics case competition included Yhana Burbel, Chantel Hylton, Patrick Keele, Akilah Muhammad, Dylan Stephany and Jillian Whitsell. Hylton, a senior supply chain logistics management major, stepped outside of her comfort zone to challenge herself with real-world application of what she has learned in the classroom.

Dr. Scott Keller, professor of logistics and director of the Center for Supply Chain Management Excellence, said that the competition increases UWF student career opportunities by providing students with opportunities to network with supply chain and logistics executives.

“The conference helps students launch their careers, which is my number one goal as an educator,” Keller said. “We are competing with the best and we are exceeding the best.”

The team prepared a detailed case analysis of a real-world global supply chain logistics management problem and presented their findings to a panel of industry experts. Tasked with creating a global supply chain for a solar company, the team’s goal was to raise the company’s profit margin by three percent, reduce the backlog of orders, avoid high tariffs, and improve customer service.

Utilizing 3D printing at UWF’s Sea3D Lab, the student team created a model of solar panels that when produced with additive manufacturing technology would reduce the time it takes to produce and get the product to market. They also created a global supply chain strategy that utilized Foreign-Trade Zones to reduce import cost and position critical stock within easy access to the South American market.

The supply chain logistics management program offered by UWF’s College of Business provides students with the core knowledge to manage the logistics of complex supply chains. UWF launched the B.S.B.A. degree program in 2015 in response to student and workforce demand.

For information about UWF’s supply chain logistics degree and the Center for Supply Chain Management Excellence, visit uwf.edu/supplychain.