April 2019 
Greeting
APICS has become ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management). As an ASCM member, you are now part of one of the largest non-profit associations focused on supply chain. The ASCM network is larger and more expansive. It has countless knowledge resources and benefits. The APICS Blue Ridge Chapter is still active and the website has undergone a makeover that provides more information regarding meetings, social media, classes offer by the Chapter, Plant tours, and other activities. We encourage you to engage with this new site and help grow the Blue Ridge Chapter of Supply Chain Management.
Community Service
Representatives from APICS, Betty Aceituno from Danone North America, Keith VanBenschoten from Interchange Group, Gaye Hamburger from Merck & Co., Inc. met with students from Dr. Bill Ritchie's supply chain class. Students learned about each function of the supply chain and how interconnected they are. Students also learned how joining APICS and/or becoming certified in supply chain has helped the representatives from APICS with their representative careers and professional obligations. The students were very interested in how forecasting impacts capacity planning and capital investment. The growing market of third-party warehousing and logistics was also a dynamic discussion. The students also learned how quality assurance is heavily involved in ensuring that companies are responsibly supplying products and services, and complying with local and international regulations.
