Supply and Demand

What are the top concerns in the modern supply chain? They are complex, numerous and varied, but one that rises to the top for junior Eddie Mulford is transparency.

“Historically, companies have kept their suppliers, locations, raw materials and internal processes secret to maintain a competitive advantage,” he says. “But more recently, the ever-increasing use of technology in the form of social media, along with globalization of production, has forced companies to make clear to the public how their products are made. Human rights violations, geopolitical conflicts and economic realities are all things that consumers consider when buying products today.”

Mulford points to the fact that there have recently been several crises, which have forced companies to become more transparent about the quality, safety and ethics in their supply chains. “Companies that are on the leading edge will be proactively transparent with their own processes,” he says.

It is a topic that he feels strongly about, and his passion for supply chain comes from having a stellar academic experience. “I have had many opportunities with everything from mentoring relationships, to case competitions, to study abroad, to conferences, to interviewing for internships. Faculty and staff go out of their way to help students be successful and bring the world into the classroom.”