CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--APICS and American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L) announced today that the boards of directors of both organizations have approved an agreement under which AST&L will merge with APICS upon ratification by an AST&L member vote.
The merger will expand, extend and deepen the end-to-end supply chain body of knowledge that fuels APICS’s global supply chain research, education and certification programs. Together, APICS and AST&L will offer unmatched content and subject matter expertise that will enable individuals and organizations to meet key supply chain and logistics challenges.
Following the close of the transaction, APICS intends to integrate AST&L with its existing operations. Abe Eshkenazi will remain the chief executive officer of APICS and Laurie Hein Denham, AST&L president, will join APICS as a senior director.
"This agreement acknowledges the importance of transportation and logistics, and the tremendous innovation impacting delivery processes today," said Alan G. Dunn, CPIM, chair of the APICS board of directors. “It also reflects our commitment to keeping our content and capabilities at the forefront of our industry, providing our members, customers and the supply chain community at large with the most up-to-date, relevant and complete body of knowledge."
"This is a strategic combination that paves the way for us to fortify supply chain education and certification in the areas of transportation and logistics," said APICS CEO Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CAE, CPA. “AST&L has respected credentials, robust industry content, a network of subject matter experts, and our organizations have worked together for years. We are enhancing our capabilities to address two of the most important topics in the global economy today ─ developing supply chain talent and elevating supply chain performance."
"We are excited to join forces with APICS because it makes sense for our members, student members, volunteers and partners," said George Yarusavage, DLP, CTL, C.P.M., chairman of the AST&L board of directors. “All aspects of the supply chain are becoming increasingly integrated. Education, training and credential programs that offer an end-to-end supply chain perspective are critical to helping today’s professionals advance and organizations thrive."
Strategic Rationale of the Combination
This combination is poised to benefit members, customers, partners, and the supply chain community in several ways. Specifically, the merger:
- Creates the most complete supply chain body of knowledge. The combination unites APICS’s Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework, and SCOR Professional (SCOR-P) brands with AST&L’s three credentials including the Certified in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) designation.
- Ensures investment, improvement, and continued relevancy of transportation and logistics content. The combination offers greater resources and access to volunteer subject matter experts committed to providing individuals, supply chain organizations and the transportation and logistics industry with a respected and validated credential program.
- Strengthens competitive position and platform for growth. Fortified transportation and logistics content creates a more sustainable organization better positioned to address the end-to-end supply chain education and certification needs of individuals and companies.
About American Society for Transportation and Logistics
American Society of Transportation and Logistics (www.astl.org) is the premier professional organization for transportation and logistics professionals. Founded in 1946 by industry leaders, AST&L strives to promote and ensure the highest level of global standards through professional certification in the field of transportation and logistics. ASTL certification programs are used throughout business, academia, and governments worldwide. The organization's worldwide advocacy for logistics and transportation is supported by globally-recognized credentials, a respected research journal, and professional development opportunities. The Certified in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) certification program began in 1948. In addition to the Professional Designation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (PLS) and Global Logistics Associate (GLA), AST&L also offers the Distinguished Logistics Professional (DLP) credential.
About APICS
APICS is the premier professional association focused on supply chain and operations management and the leading provider of research, education and certification programs that elevate supply chain excellence, innovation and resilience. APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and APICS Supply Chain Operations Reference Professional (SCOR-P) designations set the industry standard. With over 41,000 members and more than 300 international partners, APICS is transforming the way people do business, drive growth and reach global customers. For more information, visit apics.org, join the APICS LinkedIn group at apics.org/linkedin, the APICS Facebook group at apics.org/facebook, and follow APICS on Twitter at twitter.com/APICS.
