PA Plastics SourceNet Symposium
Irene J. Petrick, BS, MA, PhD
Professor of Practice and Director, Enterprise Informatics & Integration (EII) Center
Prior to joining the College of Information Sciences and Technology, Irene Petrick spent three years as an assistant professor of Industrial Engineering. In addition to her professorial activities, she has over 25 years of experience in technology planning, management, and product development in both academic and industrial settings. She is author or co-author of more than 75 publications and presentations.
Dr. Petrick specializes in technology forecasting, digital road mapping, product and process development, and systems management, with particular interest in collaborative supply chain activities. Within the past five years she has had research funding from a diverse group of industry and government sponsors. She also advises private companies and non-profit agencies on technology planning and strategic road mapping. In summer 2005, Dr. Petrick was a Boeing Welliver Fellow where she focused on technology strategy, collaborative new product development, and supply chain integration.
Abstract
Enhancing Supply Chain Effectiveness in the Pennsylvania Plastics Manufacturing Industry
The Pennsylvania plastics industry is characterized by a large number of older firms, with over 90 percent of the companies included in this survey in operation ten years or more. Our findings indicate that older Pennsylvania plastics manufacturing firms are more likely to coordinate with other companies in their supply chains on activities to improve efficiency and reduce production costs. Though these findings make logical sense in an industry sector where there are growing material and energy costs, and increased competition, studies of other types of companies and their supply chain practices suggest that individual companies can actually gain more in the short and long term with an emphasis on coordination on new product development and marketing activities. Ultimately, companies that can lock others out of their supply chains create competitive advantage. The presentation will highlight trends in Pennsylvania plastics manufacturing, compare this sector’s practices with other net-exporting sectors, and offer suggestions to improve the position of individual Pennsylvania plastics manufacturers and the sector as a whole.