Sunrun reimagines its supply chain as an organization to drive expansion and create advantage in the residential solar system market.
By Tim O’Connor
The first solar cells that could power electronic devices were created in 1954 at Bell Laboratories. But the use of sunshine to generate electricity for the home has become widespread only in the past two decades.
The industry is still young and it’s still volatile. Technological breakthroughs are making solar panels more efficient every year and government regulations and building codes are always in flux. Successful solar companies must be able to adapt to those changing trends and requirements.
Sunrun, one of the leading companies in the residential solar system market, believes an effective supply chain gives it an edge as the industry matures. “The supply chain’s ability to react quickly will be a key differentiator for Sunrun as we move forward,” Director of Supply Chain Zac Beres says.
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Sprint eyes more growth after another successful year in its turnaround.
By Alan Dorich
Everyone loves a good comeback story, and for the last four years, telecommunications company Sprint has been back on the rise. “We’re excited,” says Mariano Legaz, chief procurement officer and senior vice president of real estate. “We’re in the middle of an aggressive plan to roll out a next generation 5G network.”
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CSA Group is enjoying rewards as the organization drives to build a globally integrated supply chain.
By Alan Dorich, Senior Editor at Knighthouse Media
Doing business in a world that is constantly evolving requires manufacturers to navigate through complex supply chains and regulations that change from country to country. In spite of this, the need to deliver quality products to market with speed has remained constant. CSA Group plays a critical role in that process, Global Director of Procurement Manny Satija says.
“Whether it’s ensuring your ‘smart refrigerator’ has been through a cybersecurity evaluation for functional safety to ensuring medical devices in hospitals are aligned with EMC standards or hydrogen fueled automobiles of the future have been tested for safety, manufacturers engages CSA to help them navigate through such challenges,” he says.
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Liberty Global’s size provides speed and entertainment with considerable leverage, but the company must remain nimble in the market and always provide the services that consumers demand.
By Staci Davidson
As a cable and telecommunications giant, Liberty Global is focused on technological innovation in all facets of its operations, and its supply chain is no exception. A strong supply chain is critical in the technologically advanced world in which its customers live. Supply Chain World recently spoke with Anita Arts, chief supply chain officer at Liberty Global, about how the company uses its supply chain to remain competitive in its evolving industry.
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BrightView tackles a mammoth landscaping project in America’s front yard in Washington, D.C.
By Kat Zeman
It takes a big-time landscaper to tackle a project the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. BrightView, the largest commercial landscaping company in the United States and Canada, is that landscaper.
The mall, known to many as “America’s Front Yard,” is home to some of the nation’s most important civic, cultural and historic places. BrightView was contracted to give the mall a $40 million turf makeover designed to create a healthy and water efficient landscape.
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Newgistics provides an end-to-end solution for its clients.
By Alan Dorich, Senior Editor at Knighthouse Media
Some companies focus on the experiences customers have before they make purchases, but what happens afterward can be just as important. Newgistics, which was acquired by Pitney Bowes last year, does both.
Based in Austin, Texas, Newgistics provides brands with digital commerce, fulfillment, shipping and return services. “We have an offering that most other companies don’t have,” Director of Operations and Engineering Stephanie Cannon declares.
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CDK Global continues to improve its supply chain and procurement operations less than four years after breaking out on its own.
By Jim Harris, Senior Editor at Knighthouse Media
Mike Morsch had a big task in front of him when he joined CDK Global as its vice president of global procurement in September 2014. At the time, the company was completing its spin-off from human resources technology giant ADP. “I came on board knowing I would be creating a brand-new supply chain organization,” he says.
Formerly known as ADP Dealer Services, the Hoffman Estates-based company is an enabler of end-to-end automotive commerce, providing technology services and digital marketing solutions to automotive dealers. In his position, Morsch is responsible for the company’s procurement and supply chain functions. “My group is responsible for what we buy, how we buy it and how we get it delivered, either to a customer, a dealership or to an internal location or data center,” Morsch adds.
Delivering products and services to car dealerships and other sites is not always as easy as it sounds. “For the first six months of my tenure, we were focused on getting our contracts split [from ADP], and putting new agreements in place while ensuring our supply chain could still deliver,” he says. “We created a new operating model for the organization with the intention of moving it from a transactional or tactical function to a more strategic position.”
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GCP Applied Technologies is focused on building a solid procurement team of experts who remain flexible as the market changes. 
