Logistical costs and innovation on the first day of the 2017 Forum

For the first time in São Paulo, the International Forum Supply Chain & Expo.Logística brought as main issues the logistical costs in Brazil and innovation in the sector. Professor at Ohio State University, Walter Zinn opened the first day's program with a lecture on New Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain. In his presentation, Zinn addressed the internet of things and all things, spoke of omnichannel and even commented on some actions that promise to profoundly affect the supply chain, such as the growth of 3D printers, which can now even make parts for Mercedes cars, reducing the need for product inventories C.

Next, the managing partner of ILOS, Mauricio Lima brought the 2016 figures for logistics costs in Brazil. In the study prepared by ILOS, logistics costs in 2016 represented 12% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a certain reduction in transport and a small increase in inventory management costs. According to the managing partner of ILOS, the demand for transport is already showing signs of recovery after three consecutive months of growth, although the expectation is that 2017 will repeat 2016, with growth expected only for 2018.

This Tuesday afternoon opened with the Changes in Logistics and Supply Chain panel. The chat started with Adriano Pitoli, from Tendências Consultoria, bringing an optimistic message to the sector's executives. For Adriano, the bottom of the economic crisis has already passed and now the country is recovering its economy, with a return to the level of 2014 only in 2021. The Panel also had Diclei Rimorini, from Via Varejo, commenting on his company's actions to the integration of the physical supply chain with the online one. Rimorini also pointed out that a quarter of its customers buy online and go to the store to pick up the item. Finally, Valdoberto Vidal, head of Supply Chain at Souza Cruz admitted that the main challenge for executives for the coming years is to improve supply chain management for the future and also highlighted that one of the barriers in the country's industries is the improvement of the hand workforce, which hinders the growth of companies.

The Supply Chain & Expo.Logística International Forum takes place from September 19th to 21st, at the Tivoli Mofarrej hotel, in São Paulo. This Wednesday opens with the lead partner of PwC Belgium, Pascal Jansens, talking about international logistics on the European continent.