F&S brings its largest on-site assessment process to Gulf

Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Partnership Company, with a reputation of identifying leaders through a structured and systematic process (endorsed by the Industry across the Globe), is proud to bring its largest on-site assessment process to the Gulf - "Value Chain Leadership Awards 2013" (VCLA). A global programme to transform supply chain and manufacturing capability, Frost & Sullivan's VCLA aims to identify and applaud sustainable organisations with strong business acumen and robust operational performance aligned to customer satisfaction and delight.

Frost & Sullivan Awards recognises outstanding industry achievements across a multitude of industries and functional disciplines by companies worldwide. These Awards have a robust, highly acclaimed, and constantly updated assessment process, derived from the best global practices. VCLA also endeavours to acknowledge companies who have demonstrated excellence in their growth strategies, exhibit exceptional leadership, successful customer acquisition, and service strategies, and sound execution in business plans, in addition to other critical factors.

Sharing his views on manufacturing, Raghavendra Rao, Vice President, Frost & Sullivan opines, "Historically, manufacturing has been and continues to be the least leveraged sector in the Gulf. However, the growing realisation that non-renewable sources will at some point cease to sustain economies and hence it’s significant to invest in diverse bedrocks of economic solidity that include manufacturing as a pivot, is the silver lining. Investment in basic industries is just a beginning and only confirms the massive underlying potential. If the region continues this for future sustainability, it can emerge as an unparalleled global manufacturing powerhouse".

Manufacturing is one link in a series of processes that complete the value chain. Additionally, there are the Customer Focus processes and Logistical processes (both, inbound and outbound). Added to these three, there is the fourth process that considers and addresses all issues of long-term sustainability. These are the critical defining elements of the value chain. Frost & Sullivan believes that a firm that performs well on these four parameters should be a natural Value Chain Leader.

Speaking at the launch of VCLA Gulf Edition 2013, Raghavendra Rao, says, "Adoption of sustainable development initiatives have improved competitive advantage for companies across the globe. Frost & Sullivan holds over a decade of experience in hosting these On-Site Assessments and Awards successfully in India and we are now proud to bring these to the Gulf. Over the years, our Manufacturing & Process Consulting Practice has been working closely with management teams of various companies across Europe, India, and North America and has been involved in critical decision making with respect to supply chain efficiencies, its leanness, and flexibility. The objective of this awards platform is to propagate the concept of sustainable development and assist companies in adopting the same through assessments, feedback, benchmarking, and sharing of best practices."

VCLA evaluation will be primarily based on four critical aspects of manufacturing: Customer Focus, Logistics Excellence, Operational Effectiveness, and Sustainability. The model is built on a total of 1,000 points and each parameter has different weightage based on its importance. A scorecard will be given at the end of the assessment process to all participating/short-listed companies that will provide them a quantitative assessment of their strengths and weaknesses that need to be taken up internally for carrying out improvements.

Based on excellence exhibited on various business metrics and evaluation parameters, facilities will be graded and subsequently awarded on four sub-parameters besides the overall "Partner of Choice" Award. Each Sub-Parameter will be an Award Title in itself. Best Practices in various specific micro-parameters will be recognised by a "Certificate of Merit" in the respective practice. The assessment process is designed to evaluate the progress made by an organisation toward identifying and implementing sustainable manufacturing practices in its operations and supply chain.

VCLA will cover a diverse and extensive range of industries such as Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Consumer Products, Paper, Metals, Fertiliser, Petrochemicals, Light and Heavy Engineering, Paints, Pharmaceuticals, Electricals and Electronics and Cements.

The last date for nominations to participate in the award programme is July 31, 2013. If you wish to know more about the Awards, contact Tanu Chopra, Corporate Communications, at tanu.chopra@frost.com. To send in your nominations, email vcla@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state, and country. On receipt of the above information, our team will get in touch with you with the details. For more information on the awards, please log on to www.frost.com/vcla2013.

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