News Article

RALEIGH – Increasingly, the supply chain management business is becoming a global one, as companies shift production to and develop markets in a growing number of countries. Keeping up with the changes and intricacies of the global market – or better yet, staying ahead of them – requires constant attention and guidance.

A recent seminar took a look at global supply chain issues and Womble Carlyle attorney Randy Hanson recently was among those in the supply chain industry asked to speak at the event.

The 14th semi-annual Supply Chain Resource Consortium took place Dec. 7-8 and was sponsored by North Carolina State University’s College of Management. Hanson participated in a panel discussion on “Global Imperatives for Supply Chain Management.”

Joining him in the discussion was Tim Carroll of IBM Corporation, Tom Crimi of Chevron Corporation, Tim Cummins of the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management (IACCM) and Jon Vogt of Halliburton.

The panelists debated the challenges and opportunities that accompany supply chain management across international borders.

For example, Hanson and the other speakers discussed potential pitfalls in global negotiations and successful strategies for avoiding those problems. They talked about how cultural differences may affect business relationships and how companies can minimize those gaps to find a common ground on which to work.

“We also discussed effective approaches to dealing with governments, which are becoming a growing part of global supply chains,” Hanson said.

The panel discussion was moderated by Robert Handfield, director of N.C. State’s Supply Chain Resource Consortium.

Randy Hanson has extensive experience in legal issues pertaining to establishing and managing global supply chains and offshore operations, particularly in Latin America and Asia. He has advised clients on a wide range of commercial, corporate and transactional matters. His clients range from textile and automotive companies to chemical manufacturers and pharmaceutical businesses. He helps direct Womble Carlyle’s Supply Chain Management Team and manages the firm’s Greensboro office.