The 2012 Scottish Region Annual Dinner: Thursday 27th September 2012 in the Grand Central Hotel Glasgow

The 2012 Scottish Region Annual Dinner was held on the evening of Thursday 27th September 2012 in the Grand Central Hotel Glasgow.

Members and Guests were able to enjoy pre dinner drinks and the chance to network whilst viewing an exhibition of paintings by Leo du Feu.

The dinner began with members and guests being welcomed by Ken Thomson, who was Master of Ceremonies, with some humourous remarks. He outlined the programme for the evening, highlighting the prize draw with proceeds going to Transaid. He then called on Derek Halden, Scottish Regional Chairman to say a few words.

Derek welcomed everyone present and said he was inspired to see members and guests from both the logistics and transport sides of the industry. He welcomed the Young Professionals and the guest speaker who would be speaking after dinner.

He then introduced Peter Ward of DP London Gateway, a £2 billion investment to bring the biggest ships into the UK with six 400 metre long berths. This 1,500 acre development has connections to both the motorway and rail networks and once complete will create over 10,000 jobs. The development will incorporate distribution centres and office accommodation. He then showed a short video of the new development.

The grace was then given by member George Brown and after dinner, members and guests stood for the Loyal Toast. There then followed a short break. The first speaier of the evening was Mr. S. Agg, the Chief Executive of CILT in the UK and he paid tribute to the efforts of the volunteers who make the Institute what it is. He noted that the Scottish Region is one of the most active and that this session had arranged 32 differnet events. The insitute has over 18,000 members in the UK and a new computer suystem is being installed as the largest dingle investment the institute has made to improve communication with members.

Ken Thomson then introduced the guest business speaker, Catherine Weetman, Product and Market Development Director at DHL Supply Chain, who spoke on Sustainability in the supply chain. This was a thought provoking presentation and highlighted many of the problems facing the world today including energy resources, the global supply and demand for oil, rising commodity prices, the shortages of some minerals, especialy the rare earth minerals, water shortages and food affordability.

Also highlighted was the need to redesign products to increase their reclyclability and reuseabilty to avoid waste. New thechnology, such as additive layer production was looked at and new production on demand systems. The presentation concluded with a look at how to futureproof organizations and their supply chains.

The prize draw was then chaired by David Reid and a number of lucky winners were presented with a variery of prizes ranging from toasters to a television. The prize draw, in adi of Transaid, raised £1300.

The Chariman, Derek Halden then presented Donald MacCuish with a certificate marking more than 50 years service to the insitute. He also presented an award to Arup in recognition of their support of the Scottish Region.

The evening's entertainment was rounded off by a show by a magician who entertained members and guests with a variety of illusions.

Click here to download a copy of Catherine Weetman's presentation (PDF format (1.6Mb)

Report by John Fender.