Behind the APICS-AST&L Merger

In what seems to signal a trend, 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.

This news comes as supply chain managers have been adjusting to a similar merger last year, when APICS absorbed the Supply Chain Council.

The new merger is designed to 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 content and subject matter expertise targeted to 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.

According to spokesmen from both organizations, this combination is poised to benefit members, customers, partners, and the supply chain community in several ways.

Specifically, the merger may create the most complete supply chain body of knowledge. The combination unites APICS' Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework, SCOR Professional (SCOR-P) brands with AST&L's three credentials including the Certified in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) designation.

Furthermore, this may ensure 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.

Finally, the merger could strengthen competitive position and platform for growth. That’s because most experts agree that 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.

We wish them luck.

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