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International Executive Roundtables

A yearly face-to-face forum for CAPS Research major corporate sponsors.

The International Executive Roundtables provide a yearly face-to-face forum for CAPS Research major corporate sponsors. The Roundtables allow these executives to share their best practices, network with their peers, informally benchmark procurement programs, and prioritize our research agenda. The multi-day event is for CAPS Research corporate sponsors’ senior purchasing and supply executive, who come from Fortune 500 and international firms committed to furthering best practices in purchasing and supply chain management and maintaining their competitive edge.

facilitated breakout session
Facilitated Breakout Session

Highlights of Past Events:

2010 Annual Asian Executive Roundtable
6/7/2010 - 6/8/2010,  Shanghai, China  
CAPS Research hosted its 13th Annual Asian Executive Roundtable, June 7-8, 2010, in Shanghai, China. It was the largest Asian Roundtable in CAPS history, with more than 60 attendees, representing 45 companies. General session presentations and small group discussions addressed best practices for operating and sourcing in Asia, as well as current challenges, such as the global economy, risk management, talent management, and understanding China's value, beyond low-cost sourcing. Representatives from Li & Fung, 3M, Teradyne, Intel, LG Electronics, and Microsoft gave presentations. Most attendees were senior directors or managers responsible for their firms' Asian operations.
 
21st Annual International Executive Roundtable
4/21/2010 - 4/23/2010,  Scottsdale, Arizona  
CAPS Research hosted its 21st Annual International Executive Roundtable, April 21-23, in Scottsdale, Arizona. General sessions at the Roundtable showcased an economic outlook and case study presentations about transforming the organization. Attendees also heard the latest research results from CAPS, including "Achieving Supplier Innovation" and "Value-Focused Supply." Each of these topics was followed by an in-depth working session where executives created an action plan for their firms and assessed their progress in these areas compared to other attendees. Approximately 45 chief supply executives gathered for this exclusive event.
 
2009 Annual Japan Executive Roundtable
6/5/2009,  Tokyo, Japan  
The 11th Annual Japan Executive Roundtable took place June 5, in Tokyo, Japan. Approximately 40 procurement and supply executives attended the one-day event. Two themes highlighted the event. Strategic Sourcing Strategies to Cope with Exhaustible Resources in Japan was presented by the CAPS Japan Research Group. This is team of academics and practitioners that each year tackle a new supply management research topic in Japan. This presentation was followed by small group discussions with report-outs from the groups. The second theme was Supply Management Strategies in the Current Crisis Economy, presented by Professors Phillip Carter and Joseph Carter from CAPS Research.
 
2009 Annual Asian Executive Roundtable
6/1/2009 - 6/2/2009,  Shanghai, China   Agenda
The 12th Annual Asian Executive Roundtable was held in Shanghai, China, June 1-2. Approximately 50 supply management executives gathered to discuss the challenges associated with sourcing and operating in Asia in a difficult economy. Case study presentations were given by IBM, Fluor, Sunoco, Microsoft and Terex. In addition, thought leaders from A.T. Kearney and APL Logistics shared some of their insights on supply management and logistics trends, respectively, in Asia. Faculty researchers from Fudan University, in conjunction with Jointown Pharmaceuticals, presented an in-depth analysis of the pharmaceutical supply chain in China. In addition to the ample networking opportunities during the two-day event, small group discussions were held on the topics of supply managed challenges in the current economy, environmental sustainability and diversity issues in Asia, the impact of China’s stimulus policies and achieving cost savings when the economic recovery gets underway.
 
20th Annual International Executive Roundtable
4/15/2009 - 4/17/2009,  Scottsdale, Arizona   Agenda
This 2009 event marked 20 years of CAPS Research hosting Executive Roundtables for chief purchasing officers. The theme was "Supply Management: Strategies for Superior Results in Turbulent Times" and examined the current macro economic trends and their impact on the firm and supply. Business and supply experts shared their views on the global economy and financial markets. Participants also explored how changing business conditions affect cost and asset management strategies as well as other critical supply initiatives and activities.
 
2008 Annual Japan Executive Roundtable
6/6/2008,  Tokyo, Japan  
The 2008 Japan Executive Roundtable took place June 6, in Tokyo, Japan. Approximately 50 procurement and supply executives and academics attended the one-day event. Presentations covered the following topics: How Procurement Managers View Low Cost Countries and Geographies: Perceptions from Asia and North America; Supply Management Performance Measurement in Japanese Companies; and Strategic Supply Management As A Key to Sustainable High Performance Company. In addition, the attendees participated in small group discussion forums, exchanging ideas and practices on the following topics: cost/price, quality/delivery, education/information technology, green purchasing/ethics, and innovation.
 
11th Annual Asian Executive Roundtable
6/2/2008 - 6/3/2008,  Shanghai, China   Agenda
The 11th Annual Asian Executive Roundtable was held in Shanghai, China, June 2-3. Approximately 50 supply management executives gathered to discuss the challenges and best practices associated with sourcing and operating in Asia. Two of the hottest topics at the event were talent management and supplier/commodity capacity constraints. Case study presentations were given by Cargill, IBM, Deere, and Carrier Corporation. In addition, thought leaders from McKinsey and Company and APL Logistics shared some of their insights on talent management and logistics trends, respectively. In addition to the ample networking opportunities during the two-day event, one highlight was small group discussions on the topics of: talent management, supplier relationships/development, supply's role in innovation, and macro-economic issues.
 
19th Annual International Executive Roundtable
3/5/2008 - 3/7/2008,  Scottsdale, AZ   Agenda
The theme for the 2008 event was "Innovation: Opportunities for Supply." General plenary sessions featured ways that companies have incorporated innovation into their culture and environment, with some case study examples from Whirlpool and IBM. Small group discussion sessions featured presentations on innovation practices for specific supply management areas, including sustainability, collaboration, risk management, and the unique climate associated with acquisitions.
 
10th Annual Asian Executive Roundtable
6/11/2007 - 6/12/2007,  Shanghai, China   Agenda
CAPS Research has reached a milestone with the Asian Executive Roundtable! Hosted by the Antai School of Management of Jiao Tong University in Shanghai on June 11 and 12, this recent event marks the 10th year that CAPS Research has presented its Annual Asian Executive Roundtable. The Roundtable featured presentations from Pfizer Inc, Li & Fung Research, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Brocade Communications. A major highlight of this year's event was the presentation by Dr. Phil Carter, Executive Director of CAPS Research. The presentation, "Succeeding in a Dynamic World: Supply Management in the Decade Ahead" focused on what's ahead for the Supply Management field in the areas of talent management, organizational structure, developing agile networks, and supplier relationships.
 
Seventh Annual Japan Executive Roundtable
6/8/2007,  Tokyo, Japan  
CAPS Research Japan presented its Seventh Annual Japan Executive Roundtable on June 8, 2007. A major highlight of the event was the presentation by Dr. Phil Carter, Executive Director of CAPS Research. The presentation, "Succeeding in a Dynamic World: Supply Management in the Decade Ahead" focused on what's ahead for the Supply Management field in the areas of talent management, organizational structure, developing agile networks, and supplier relationships. There was also a panel discussion on supply strategy in Japanese companies' overseas operation plants, as well as presentations from the ISM Japan affiliate and Toyota Motor Corporation.
 
18th Annual International Executive Roundtable
3/21/2007 - 3/23/2007,  Scottsdale, AZ   Agenda
The CAPS Roundtable is always an exciting event, and 2007 was no exception. Not only does it bring together the CPOs of CAPS Research supporting companies, it's a chance for everyone in the room to capitalize on the experience, knowledge, insights, and vision that each participant brings to the discussion. This year, the theme focused on the CAPS Research current major initiative, "Succeeding in a Dynamic World: Supply Management in the Decade Ahead." The full report won't be complete until summer 2007, but attendees got a preview of the highlights with the Roundtable opening session. Other general sessions then tackled subtopics from the report, such as talent management, organization structure, developing agile networks, and supplier relationships. Small breakout groups included company case studies and facilitated discussion sessions.
 
Ninth Annual Asian Executive Roundtable
6/12/2006 - 6/13/2006,  Shanghai, China   Agenda
The Ninth Annual Asian Executive Roundtable took place at the Antai School of Management of Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. Primarily geared toward global firms that are operating in the region, participants at this year's roundtable heard presentations from companies such as Mattel, Kodak, Fluor, Bechtel, Teradyne and Volvo, as well as from recent research results. Two key areas that garnered a bit of discussion were China's current infrastructure and the supply-specific workforce talent that is available in the region. There is no shortage of labor in China, making it an attractive location for firms that want to reduce labor costs. However, in some areas, the infrastructure has yet to catch up. More roads and reliable power and water lines will go a long way toward ensuring supply managers that their operations and those of their suppliers will be smooth and uninterrupted. In terms of workforce, obviously many firms utilize expats from their home country to oversee an international sourcing office. The roundtable participants, however, say that there is a great need for a larger number of skilled supply professionals. And with even more organizations setting up operations in the region, the demand is likely to keep increasing.
 
Sixth Annual Japan Executive Roundtable
6/9/2006,  Tokyo, Japan  
CAPS Research Japan presented its latest report on strategic front-end loading management, which detailed the benefits of supply management's role in new product development. When you're doing business on a global scale, late changes in specifications and design create a great deal of waste. However, the research found that companies that have higher levels of purchasing involvement in the early stage or in product development tend to be characterized with higher performance in terms of sales growth and productivity. Another topic discussed at the event was low-cost-country sourcing opportunities. The decisions about low-cost-country sourcing must always be filtered through three areas: cost advantage, risk and opportunities, and product access. According to research presented, the cost benefits currently associated with China will continue for at least the next 20 years, because although qualified labor wages are increasing, unqualified labor wages are stable.
 
17th Annual International Executive Roundtable
4/2/2006 - 4/4/2006,  Phoenix, AZ   Agenda
Research presentations and break-out sessions include: 1. A look at how companies can better integrate their supply chains, both internally and with their customers and suppliers; governance agreements among trading partners; joint measurement and control systems; and e-tools being used to integrate and manage supply chains, 2. Global Sourcing and Supply research that focuses on organizing, planning, and executing global sourcing and supply strategies to determine critical success factors, 3. Total Cost of Ownership analysis that explores strategic cost management issues and practices, and 4. An overview of the new CAPS research program on Future Strategies for Purchasing and Supply. This research takes a global view of the value of purchasing and supply organizations and will provide our supply management executives with information for setting strategic initiatives within the supply management profession.
 
16th Annual International Executive Roundtable
3/13/2005 - 3/15/2005,  Scottsdale, AZ   Agenda
The agenda for the Executive Roundtable included presentations on RFID Strategies; Redirecting Resources to Services Purchasing; Strategic Outsourcing; and Supplier Relationship Management. Up-to-date information about the Market Basket of Goods price benchmarking initiative was discussed, and the 2005 Chief Executive Officer award was presented to Mr. John E. Potter, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Postal Service.