Supply Chain 2018 Executive Speaker Announced

EKU's Global Supply Chain Management program is pleased to announce its 2018 Executive Speaker Series to be held Thursday, April 19, 2018. Now in its third year, the series brings to campus accomplished supply chain management professionals to interact with EKU students, faculty, and administrators.

This year's series will feature a team from Asahi Bluegrass Forge - Danny Pittman, Mack Ishigaki, Eirkica Greene and Jiyoung Won. Presenting for the team will be Plant Manager Danny Pittman and Vice President Mack Ishigaki. Pittman will focus on Richmond operations and supply chain and Ishigaki will follow up with Japanese business customs and philosophy.

Asahi Bluegrass forge (ABF) Company is a subsidiary of Asahi Forge Corp., a Japanese company that specializes in producing automotive parts such as hub units, gears, transmission components, bearings and joints. In 2012, Asahi Forge Corp. opened a new manufacturing facility—Asahi Bluegrass Forge (ABF)—in Richmond, Ky., to forge automobile wheel-hub components for automotive manufacturers like Toyota and Honda.

According to Assistant Professor of Management Dr. Jae-young Oh, "Kentucky is home to more than 400 automotive-related industries, and most of them are Japanese firms who our students may work for or do business with later. I believe that this event would be very helpful for our students to not only understand Japanese companies’ business strategies and customs but also broaden their perspectives on the world in a global business environment."

Indeed, ABF has been very supportive of EKU's fast-growing SCM program. The company has welcomed Dr. Oh's MGT 370 Operations Management class for multiple visits to tour their facilities, learn Japanese operational strategies as well as their unique business culture. ABF has also engaged EKU students as interns who have become full-time employees.

The presentations will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 am in EKU's Business and Technology Center Rogow Auditorium (BTC 049).

The event is free and open the public. All majors are welcome to attend. Bring your questions and seek out advice - especially if you are an upcoming School of Business graduate.

Find out more about EKU's Global Supply Chain Management program at: http://management.eku.edu/GSM

EKU Global Supply Chain Management Executive Speakers Series

2017 - Mr. Ben Robinson, Senior Sales Executive with C.H. Robinson Logistic

2016 - Ms. Tonya Jackson, Vice President of Lexmark International

Contact Information

Kirby Easterling
James.Kirby.Easterling@eku.edu
859-622-7893

Published on March 01, 2018