This blog post is a continuation of our previous post — “Morocco Competition 2023: Fostering Supply Chain Talent“.
After weeks of intense preparation and training, the SCM Globe Morocco Competition 2023 concluded with resounding success. The event, organized in collaboration with the ENSA network (École Nationale des Sciences Appliquées – National School of Applied Sciences) in Morocco, brought together talented supply chain management students from across the kingdom.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the exciting highlights and achievements of this year’s competition. Before we go any further, here is a brief video made by ENSA Tétouan students in which they introduce the SCM Globe Morocco Competition 2023.
Pre-Contest Training
Before the competition, participants received comprehensive training that went beyond technical aspects of how to model and simulate a supply chain in the SCM Globe software. The training focused on cultivating a holistic understanding of supply chain as a global and interconnected system. The emphasis was on developing systemic thinking and a global vision, encouraging participants to avoid siloed optimization and consider the broader impact and interdependencies within the supply chain network. The software’s user-friendly interface and accurate simulations played a pivotal role in driving our achievements during the training program.
Contestants were encouraged to think critically and explore how different components of the supply chain interact and impact each other. The training provided a solid foundation, equipping participants with the necessary tools and mindset to identify potential bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, and to make strategic decisions that maximize the efficiency and responsiveness of the entire supply chain system.
All contestants got pre-paid 90-day accounts on SCM Globe, granting them a month before the start of the contest to familiarize themselves with the simulation tool, learn at their own pace, and explore its full potential by working with existing case studies in the SCM Globe library.
Case Study Overview
The supply chain case study for the competition revolved around VoltDrive, a fictional electric vehicle manufacturer and distributor based in Morocco, as they embarked on their expansion into the European market. Participants were tasked with selecting the most effective supply chain strategy to support this expansion, considering factors such as market demand, production capabilities, transportation networks, and distribution channels.
To tackle this challenge, participants needed to carefully evaluate different options for VoltDrive’s European expansion. They had to analyze the advantages, risks, and implications associated with establishing new facilities or leveraging existing sites. The goal was to devise an optimal supply chain strategy that encompassed minimizing costs and ensuring responsiveness to customer demand, thus positioning VoltDrive for success in the highly competitive European market.
Contest Management
With the participation of six ENSA schools in the competition, each school independently managed the contest locally, adapting their own unique approach while adhering to the same rules and duration. The selection process involved each school choosing a winner internally, followed by a centralized evaluation at ENSA Kenitra, facilitated by impartial judges.
The selection process for determining the winners of the competition, either locally or nationally, were determined based on five key criteria:
- Participants’ ability to identify and solve supply chain problems
- Net profit generated by their proposed solution
- Selection of the optimal location for new facilities
- Creativity and cost-effectiveness of their transportation network design
- Sound reasoning and strategic decision-making demonstrated throughout the process
To ensure a level playing field, contestants were required to maintain certain parameters of the supply chain model, (such as market demand and vehicle speed by type), in line with real-world situations. This approach aimed to provide equal opportunities for all participants, allowing them to demonstrate their skills and problem-solving abilities within realistic constraints.
Through this rigorous assessment, the competition aimed to recognize and reward participants who demonstrated exceptional skills and innovative solutions to the supply chain problem at hand.
Participant Achievements
The Morocco 2023 competition was a thrilling opportunity for participants to demonstrate their supply chain management skills and problem-solving abilities while applying their academic knowledge. Beyond the pursuit of victory, the contest also offered valuable lessons in teamwork, communication, presentation, stress management, and meeting deadlines. This type of experiences prepares students for their future careers as industrial engineers and supply chain managers, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their professional journeys.
We had five impressive finalists, with each school being represented by one team. [Note: It’s five not six because, regrettably, ENSA Agadir had to withdraw from the competition at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts that hindered them from organizing the local contest.] The results were all highly satisfying, as all five teams demonstrated unique approaches in tackling the case study challenges and presenting their work. This edition of the competition presented complex challenges, requiring meticulous attention to detail and strategic planning due to increased supply chain constraints.
Evaluation of the Two Winning Teams
Two teams, ENSA Safi and ENSA Kenitra, particularly stood out by fulfilling all the previously described criteria and meeting the requirements. Deciding on their ranking was difficult as their supply chain’s financial and operational performances were very close. To address this, we decided that each of these two groups would present their work in concise 10 to 15-minute sessions, allowing them to further highlight their exceptional accomplishments.
While both groups achieved similar revenue and had relatively close net profits, ENSA Kenitra group performed slightly better overall. They demonstrated a strategic understanding of supply chain dynamics by focusing on optimizing inventory holding costs, which are significant cost drivers. They showcased analytical thinking and problem-solving skills through clear justifications and root cause analysis. Their holistic perspective of the supply chain as a global system improved decision-making and the overall operational performance they were able to achieve.
Testimonials and Insights
Below, we present the testimonials and feedback from the two winning teams, shedding light on the transformative power of using simulations as a learning and planning tool. These insights offer a glimpse into how the simulations helped them learn to navigate supply chain challenges, and develop effective strategies for real-world scenarios.
ENSA Kenitra Testimonial: “We had an incredible journey in this competition, utilizing the SCM Globe platform and receiving valuable training from our industrial club. We are grateful for the opportunity and extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved. With our diverse engineering backgrounds, we entered with basic knowledge but grew exponentially. The virtual environment and SCM Globe platform allowed us to experiment, optimize supply chain operations, and develop effective strategies. This experience provided practical insights and valuable information for real-world scenarios. Thanks to our training and the platform, we addressed challenges with success.”
Celebrating Achievement: ENSA Kenitra’s Winners with CIELK Club President [from Left to right: Ayoub Rakni, Mohamed Abdelbasset Rakni (CIELK President), Hajar Aazi]
ENSA Safi Testimonial: “This competition provided invaluable insights into the complexity and dynamic nature of supply chain management. We were able to explore different scenarios, try various approaches, and see how they directly impacted supply chain performance by immersing ourselves in a virtual environment. The SCM Globe platform proved to be a valuable tool for analyzing and optimizing supply chain operations, generating useful information that can be applied to real-world scenarios.”
Members of ENSA Safi’s logistics club who participated in the contest: three members were on the team that won second place [they have the blue seal on their certificates]