July 26, 2021
One of the many things the pandemic has taught us is how to effectively manage our supply chain to provide essential services to people who need them most. Supply chain management consists of the tight control over the flow of goods and services, between businesses and locations, and includes the movement and storage of raw materials, of work-in-process inventory, and of finished goods as well as end-to-end order fulfillment from point of origin to point of consumption.
The Fedcap Group provides supply chain management in several of our business lines, most visibly in our Total Facilities Management social enterprise where we manage 22MM square feet across an expansive and growing footprint. We have an extensive, top-quality supply chain—small and large companies that have been loyal and valuable partners for decades.
Implementing end-to-end supply chain solutions has historically required skills and capabilities in the following areas:
• Procurement and tracking
• Packaging and warehousing
• Inventory management
Our clients trust us to procure goods competitively and provide supply chain visibility—combining technology, systems, and our day-to-day experience to deliver the promised benefits to end-users. We’ve worked hard to do this well, and we have learned that managing logistics is simply not sufficient.
As in all things, supply chain management is changing. An article by Supply Chain Operations Practice Leader at KPMG, Brian Higgins, highlights the changes we can expect to see in supply chain management.
Customers have almost infinite product choices and near-instant delivery. This notion of customer experience must be a core tenet of your supply chain operating model. In the future, supply chains won’t be driven by products and processes, but by customer needs; they won’t depend on capital-intensive fixed assets and linear flows, but on an ecosystem of modular capabilities, delivered through a network of trusted third parties, that can be scaled and recombined as needs require … new skills will be required, and job roles created.
This is certainly in keeping with what we learned during the pandemic. The customer experience must be at the center of our service delivery model. Even the efficiencies of our service model are not as critical as the customer experience. As the customers’ needs change, so must our services and our service delivery model. We must hire top tier talent savvy enough to predict needs, ensure our supply chain is prepared and, as much as possible, get out ahead of demand. During the pandemic we reshaped our supply chain management, hired top tier talent, leveraged local partnerships, enhanced customer communications, and provided enriched training and staff development opportunities.
As we continue to evolve our supply chain management processes, we’ll look for new ways to understand and measure our customer experience.
As always, I look forward to your comments.
La Evolución del Manejo de la Cadena de Suministro
26 julio 2021
Una de las muchas cosas que la pandemia nos ha enseñado; es cómo manejar eficazmente nuestra cadena de suministro, para proporcionar servicios esenciales a las personas que más los necesitan. El manejo de la cadena de suministro consiste en un estricto control sobre el flujo de bienes y servicios; entre empresas y ubicaciones, e incluye el movimiento y almacenamiento de materias primas, el inventario del trabajo diario y de productos terminados, así como el cumplimiento de pedidos de principio a fin, desde el punto de origen hasta elpunto de consumo.
The Fedcap Group proporciona la gestión de la cadena de suministro en varias de nuestras líneas de negocio; más visiblemente en nuestra empresa social Total Facilities Management; donde hacemos el mantenimiento de 22MM de pies cuadrados a través de una huella expansiva y creciente. Tenemos una cadena de suministro extensa y de alta calidad; con pequeñas y grandes empresas que han sido socios leales y valiosos durante décadas.
La implementación de soluciones de cadena de suministro de principio a fin ha requerido históricamente habilidades y capacidades en las siguientes áreas:
• Adquisiciones y seguimiento
• Embalaje y almacenaje
• Mantenimiento del Inventario
Nuestros clientes confían en nosotros para adquirir bienes de manera competitiva y proporcionar visibilidad de la cadena de suministro combinando: tecnología, sistemas y nuestra experiencia diaria para ofrecer los beneficios prometidos a los consumidores finales. Hemos trabajado duro para hacerlo bien, y hemos aprendido que el manejo de la logística es simple pero no es suficiente.
Como en todas las cosas, el manejo de la cadena de suministro está cambiando. Un artículo del Supply Chain Operations KPMG, Brian Higgins; destaca los cambios que podemos esperar ver en el manejo de la cadena de suministro.
Los clientes tienen opciones de productos casi infinitas y entrega casi instantánea. Esta noción de experiencia del cliente debe ser un principio básico de tu modelo operativo de cadena de suministro. En el futuro, las cadenas de suministro no estarán impulsadas por productos y procesos, sino por las necesidades de los clientes; no dependerán de capital de activos fijos concentrados y flujos lineales, sino de un ecosistema de capacidades modulares, entregadas a través de una red de confianza de terceros, que se pueden escalar y recombinar según lo requieran las necesidades ... se requerirán nuevas habilidades y se crearán roles de trabajo.
Esto sin duda está en consonancia con lo que aprendimos durante la pandemia. La experiencia del consumidor debe estar en el centro de nuestro modelo de prestación de servicios. Incluso la eficacia de nuestro modelo de servicio no es tan crítica como la experiencia del cliente. A medida que cambian las necesidades de los consumidores; también lo deben hacer nuestros servicios y nuestro modelo de prestación de servicios. Debemos contratar a talentos de primer nivel, lo suficientemente expertos como para predecir necesidades; asegurarnos de que nuestra cadena de suministro esté preparada y, en la medida de lo posible, adelantarnos a la demanda. Durante la pandemia remodelamos nuestro manejo de la cadena de suministro, contratamos talento de primer nivel, aprovechamos las asociaciones locales, mejoramos las comunicaciones con los clientes y proporcionamos oportunidades enriquecidas de capacitación y desarrollo del personal.
A medida que continuamos evolucionando nuestros procesos de gestión de la cadena de suministro, buscaremos nuevas formas de comprender y medir la experiencia de nuestros clientes.
Como siempre, espero con interés sus comentarios.
Program Will Help Fill Critical Need for Electricians for New York and Beyond
New York, March 14—Apex Technical School has launched their highly successful 900-hour electrical training program at The Fedcap Group’s bustling training location at 210 E. 43rd Street in Manhattan. Apex Technical School has provided high-quality, training in the trades such as electrical, automotive, plumbing, and HVAC for more than six decades. The Fedcap training center at 210 E. 43rd Street houses the organization’s Food Arts Training Center and is the future home to Paul Smith’s College’s new PSC in NYC culinary program, among other education and workforce training programs.
Apex Technical School’s Electrical and Advanced Electrical Program has enrolled and serves nearly 400 students at the new location. The program introduces students to the National Electric Code and provides electrical classes in electrical safety, blueprints, residential wiring, breakers and fuses, grounding, bonding, conduit bending, motor controls and alarm systems.
“We are thrilled to welcome Apex Technical School to our Manhattan training center,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “As we continue to build educational pathways, Apex plays an essential role in providing individuals with not only training for in-demand jobs, but also a path toward higher education that they can return to at a later time. Apex has been helping individuals break through barriers to reach economic well-being for over 60 years and it’s a privilege to partner with them to help meet the nationwide demand for skilled tradespeople, which is projected to continue through the next decade.”
Mark O’Donoghue, Chair of the Board of The Fedcap Group, said, “The Fedcap Group’s combination with Apex fueled our efforts to help people into the workforce to where they can upscale to better jobs and support their families. We couldn’t be prouder to have the legacy of Apex and the Cann family to have joined us.”
“Every time we cut a ribbon, what we’re really doing is cutting a path to a better life for a lot of people who would not have the opportunity,” said Steven Markowitz, President of Apex Technical School. “Three months ago we cut a ribbon in Boston to celebrate the Apex Clean Energy Institute, specifically designed for people getting out of the prison system to train them in solar energy so they can get a well-paying job instead of back in prison due to lack of options, and we’re having enormous success. We look forward to building on these programs to bring more options and opportunities to students seeking a path to a better life.”
Luis Rodriguez, a current student, spoke about his search for a fulfilling and sustainable career. “As the first in my family to pursue education after high school, there was a lot of pressure to live up to family expectations and to be a good role model. After studying at Apex, I know how things work. Apex turned out to be a very good decision. I especially loved the hands-on nature of Apex; I learned how to use tools in the right away. The teachers really motivate us to learn, to be motivated, and to discover ourselves. In the first week of May, I’m going to graduate. My family is very proud of me.”
Juan Tocabens, Vice President with Pavion Firecom, Inc., a New York City-based fire alarm systems company, spoke about the quality of education Apex Technical students receive. “This is the first step; we have a five-year apprenticeship program which leads to becoming a journey person. In the last few years, many of the apprentices have come to our company and we see their drive. In fact, most of the apprentices we hire are from Apex. I look forward to my continued participation and collaboration with this organization that does such a fine job.”
Bill Cann, President Emeritus and an alumnus of Apex Technical School, spoke about furthering the legacy of the school founded by his father. “Around the time they formed Fedcap in 1935 to assist World War I veterans with finding work, a young sailor named John Cann joined the Navy, and remained there till the end of World War II, eventually becoming a chief engineer. Years later at Apex Technical School, he was still fondly known as Chief. I know if the Chief was here with us today, he would be very proud of what we’ve done with his legacy with the combination with Fedcap. I want to thank the leadership of Mark and Christine for what they’ve done the last few years, and the current leadership and staff of Apex. I wish great success to them and to the future students.”
Apex Technical School will also be expanding in other high-demand areas, recently announcing a new Home Automation certificate will be a major component of The Fedcap Group’s new digital learning hub at Civic Hall in New York City. Civic Hall will officially open its doors in the first quarter of 2023.
About The Fedcap Group
For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.
About APEX Technical School
Since 1961, Apex Technical School has enjoyed a rich tradition of service to New Yorkers who know us well for our adult vocational technical school which offers training in skilled trades. Our hands-on training courses give individuals the basic trade and labor skills needed to secure an entry-level position in the field.
Headquartered in Long Island City in Queens, Apex offers 900-hour certificate courses in high demand areas such as: refrigeration, automotive service, welding technology, electrical and advanced electrical, plumbing and construction. All of Apex’s trade programs offer hands-on training in as little as 7 months. Apex is licensed by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Apex Technical School is a nonprofit organization and a member of The Fedcap Group.
Contact:
Susan Walsh
swalsh@fedcap.org
212-727-4200