UT Business team claims first place in operations management district competition

The University of Toledo’s Chapter of APICS (Association for Operations Management) took the first place award in the APICS Mid-Atlantic District Case Competition, held February 12 and 13 in Pittsburgh.

“We were excited to beat teams such as Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Bowling Green State University, Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Dayton,” said Jenni Jones, President of the UT APICS Chapter.

“Our team had six members, and none of us had ever participated in a case competition before,” she added. “However, with the encouragement of our professors, our professional contacts and internships, we were able to apply all our experience and bring home a first place for UT!”

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to UTAPICS in its 21-year history,” said Professor P.S. Sundararaghavan, who has been the faculty advisor to the group.

COBI’s APICS team consisted of Jones, Michael Erney, Aaron Seaman, Bethany Harding, Junjun Liu and Xin Ma.

Dr. Udayan Nandkeolyar, COBI department of Information Operations & Technology Management, travelled with the team and provided moral support, however faculty were not allowed to have any communication with the team during the event.

APICS provides training, certification and resources for professionals in production, inventory, supply chain, materials management and purchasing. With more than 2,500 student members worldwide, APICS sponsors competitions and programs that promote education and interest in the operations management profession.

The UT APICS Chapter received an award of $1,350 for their first place finish in the district competition. UTAPICS student chapter was started in 1990 and hosts an annual joint dinner meeting with the parent chapter (Toledo APICS Chapter) in April. UTAPICS is very thankful to the Toledo APICS for providing material support, scholarships, professional contacts and lots of encouragement.

“This is wonderful news,” noted COBI Dean Thomas Gutteridge. “Their success makes a powerful statement about the quality of UT College of Business and Innovation students, faculty and programs within the field of supply chain management. Congratulations to all for a job extremely well done!”