February 19, 2003
WATERLOO - Progistix-Solutions Inc. has donated $50,000 to establish a supply chain management (SCM) research centre in Laurier's school of business and economics (SBE). The centre will bring SCM research and teaching closer to the community by partnering with local and national businesses interested in improving logistics and SCM.
"This donation will help us develop a much-needed centre, further demonstrating Laurier's commitment to SCM education," says Mitali De, associate dean of business for academic programs. "The centre will play an integral role in providing organizations with best practices for managing their supply chain networks."
Progistix-Solutions Inc. and its subsidiary Assured Logistics Inc. are members of the Canada Post Group of Companies. They are the country's largest Canadian-owned third-party logistics company, with clients including Bell Canada, Xerox and Amazon.ca. Progistix and Assured work collaboratively with clients to improve their SCM strategies, resulting in increased operational efficiencies and customer service levels.
"We believe strongly in supporting supply chain education in Canada," says Jim Eckler, president and CEO of Progistix-Solutions Inc. "We are greatly encouraged that Laurier has chosen to emphasize this field within its curriculum and research programs."
An SCM chair will direct the centre. This faculty member will oversee the centre's activities and provide direction to further integrate SCM into the SBE curriculum. Fundraising is underway to establish the position. The $2.5-million endowment has been partially funded by an $850,000 contribution from an alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous.
Laurier's focus on logistics management has grown significantly during the past few years. Currently, The Laurier Institute, the SBE's executive and management development centre, is partnering with Supply Chain & Logistics Canada to deliver the executive program: essentials of supply chain management. The SBE also offers graduate and undergraduate courses including transportation management, logistics management, purchasing management and e-business supply chain management.
With more than 3,000 students enrolled in its programs and approximately 90 full-time faculty, Laurier's SBE, located in Waterloo, Ontario, is one of Canada's largest and most innovative business schools.
Ingrid Town
Associate Director, Major Gifts, Development and Alumni Relations
(519) 884-0710 ext. 3864 or itown@wlu.ca
or
Valerie Beyer
Director, SBE Marketing and Communications
(519) 884-0710 ext. 6054 or vbeyer@wlu.ca
