SAPICS Conference to build excellence in transportation and logistics

Recognising that transportation is a vital link in virtually all supply chains, SAPICS has lined up a series of powerful presentations focused on transport excellence and innovation for the 2025 SAPICS Conference.

Now in its 47^th year, this landmark event takes place in Cape Town from 8 to 11 June 2025. The SAPICS Conference offers invaluable learning, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities for everyone involved in the diverse world of supply chain management. It is a must-attend event for all supply chain practitioners at every level, SAPICS says, as well as for anyone working alongside the profession. More than 750 supply chain managers from 30 countries across Africa and around the world attended the 2024 edition of the conference, also held in Cape Town.

For the first time, Demand Driven World will be held as part of the SAPICS Conference. As the world’s premier event focused on Demand Driven methods and applications, its inclusion offers attendees a unique opportunity to experience two globally-recognised events in one location.

A highlight of this year’s programme is a presentation by sourcing and logistics specialist Richard Solomons and Transnova South Africa chief operating officer Carsten Schubert, who will outline how an innovative transport strategy featuring advanced technologies can drive cost efficiency, improve service levels, and reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint. Their case study focuses on Heineken Beverages, where Solomons and Schubert collaborated to redesign and optimise the company’s network and implement a cutting-edge transportation management system. The result? Enhanced visibility, increased capacity, and improved operational efficiency. SAPICS delegates will gain valuable insights into how strategic logistics transformation can foster scalability, resilience, and efficiency across Africa’s dynamic supply chain landscape.

As supply chains grow increasingly complex, seamless coordination is essential. Another key 2025 SAPICS Conference session will explore how the development of Transport Order Management Systems (TOMS) has streamlined multi-principal order management and enhanced delivery performance. This presentation – led by David Lubinsky, managing director at Opsi Systems South Africa, and Bremer Paauw, Africa managing director at DHL Supply Chain South Africa – will unpack transport management and asset utilisation success stories from 15 countries. Lubinsky and Paauw will explore the challenges, solutions, and measurable benefits of optimising third-party logistics by harmonising the interface between warehouse management systems and transport management systems.

Melicia Buddan, group transport excellence manager at Illovo Sugar Africa, aims to equip attendees with strategies for navigating digital transformation with her interactive and practical presentation, “Finding the Sweet Spot to Digital Transformation in Supply Chains”. Using a real-world case study from Illovo Sugar Malawi – a leading sugar producer in an emerging market – Buddan will explore how organisations can successfully adopt new technologies while managing complexity and change. She emphasises that embracing technology is essential for survival in today’s turbulent business landscape.

Another enlightening session by Angelina Cumba and Olivier Defawe from VillageReach, a Seattle-based non-profit organisation, focuses on the adoption of outsourcing to transport health products across more than 10 countries. VillageReach works with governments, the private sector, and communities to improve access to medicines, vaccines, health information, and essential services – especially in hard-to-reach areas. Notably, drones form part of its logistics strategy, with its Drones for Health initiative aiming to integrate drone technology into supply chains to enhance access to health products.

This year’s SAPICS Conference will feature 50 local and international experts and industry leaders, along with 11 hands-on workshops.

To learn more or to register for the 2025 SAPICS Conference, contact event organiser Upavon Management at info@upavon.co.za or call (+27) 11 023 6701.