University of Tennessee Wins the 2001 National Graduate Logistics Case Competition

The University of Tennessee took first place and a check for $2000 at the 2001 National Graduate Logistics Case Competition this February in Chicago. The event, co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee and the University of Wisconsin included teams from University of Maryland, University of Tennessee, Pennsylvania State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Wisconsin.

UT members included Matthew Bounds, David Casaroll, Doug DeJong, Mike Fath, Kent Ledgerwood and Paul SenGupta. The team was expertly prepared and coached by Susan Golicic.

Teams had roughly 24 hours to read, analyze, solve, and develop a professional presentation from a business case in this years National Graduate Logistics Case Competition. The students presented their solution to a panel of judges of logistics and supply chain executives from companies underwriting the event.

The team from the University of Wisconsin came in second place and third place went to Michigan State University. Previous winners of the case competition are: 1998--University of Maryland; 1999-- Michigan State University; 2000--University of Wisconsin.

Developed by Dr. Thomas Goldsby, Ohio State University, Dr. Michael G. Goldsby, University of Southern Indiana, Mr. Robert Martichenko, Transfreight, Inc. and Mr. Brent Buschur, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., the case "Expendable versus Returnable Shipping Containers at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc." involved an in-depth quantitative analysis of three different alternatives, including the use of: 1) expendable containers with post-use recycling, 2) expendable containers with post-use disposal, and 3) returnable containers. Financial analysis and qualitative assessment of factors related to choices in shipping containers for the delivery of parts and materials from suppliers was also included.

The following organizations underwrote the competition: BASF, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Dell Computer, Elogex, i2 Technologies, IBM, Grainger, Transfreight, and the Milwaukee and Chicago Council of Logistics Management Roundtables. The team of judges was also made-up from this distinguished list of contributors. Rick Adams from Grainger; Robert Martichenko is with Transfreight LLC; Robert McKenna of Elogex; Shannon Osborne from BASF, Robert Rubenstein with Dell Computer; and Richard Thompson of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.