IT and Competitive Advantage in CMS: Fact or Fiction?
By Geb Marett, Program Associate, Chemical Strategies Partnership

There is a current debate among business, academic, and technology circles about the value of IT as a driver of strategic advantage. Recent articles have argued that the strategic value of IT lessens as it becomes increasingly widespread, cheap and accessible. However, the ability to harness IT’s maximum potential remains valuable and challenging. This article serves as a summary of arguments on both sides of the issue, demonstrating how the arguments apply to the CMS field and inviting future discussion among the CMS provider community. Read full article…



CSP Convenes 7th Annual CMS Workshop in Pontiac, Michigan
CSP convened its 7th Annual CMS Workshop on October 23rd in Pontiac, Michigan. Nearly 100 participants including representatives from CMS customer companies, CMS providers, investment companies, universities, and government attended. There was also a strong international presence at the workshop, including guests from Hyundai Motor Company from South Korea and Suspronet from the EU. Make sure to check the CSP website in the coming weeks for a full workshop summary.

International Expansion of CMS:
Conferences in Singapore and Vienna
CSP has been invited to participate in a number of notable conferences, including the recent OECD Conference in Vienna, Austria and the upcoming SCM World Asia 2004 conference in Singapore in February. The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) hosted a conference November 13-14 on “Experiences and Perspectives of Service-Oriented Strategies in the Chemicals Industry and Related Areas”. CSP Deputy Director, Tom Votta, spoke on the CMS model to environmental officials from approximately 10 countries and other attendees.

At SCM World Asia 2004 in Singapore, John Claussen has been invited to lead both a panel discussion on the CMS model and a half-day seminar on CMS for both suppliers and customers in the region. This is the first and only high-level conference and exhibition in Asia where international chemical producers, downstream industries, tiered suppliers, transportation and logistics companies, and SCM vendors converge to debate supply chain management and collaboration for the chemical industry. As the CMS model continues to expand internationally, we look forward to continuing our outreach efforts in Europe and Asia. For more information, go to CSP Workshops and Events page.

Benchmarking in the Automotive, Aerospace, and Air Transport Industries
The CMS Forum continues benchmarking initiatives with the Automotive, Aerospace, and Air Transport industries. Aerospace companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, and UTC met with leading suppliers after the Pontiac workshop to discuss their current chemical management programs and share best practices. Three leading automotive companies (GM, DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai) and six of their CMS providers met to review the draft benchmark surveys and agree on a process for completing the initial study. The goal of the study is to provide credibility in support of the CMS model by benchmarking chemical management efforts at specific assembly plant manufacturing facilities in North America (Canada and the US) and in interested OEM plants in Asia (South Korea). Participating companies will benchmark their facilities in early 2004, and CSP will work with the committee to publish the results in mid-2004. Also, CSP has been facilitating a series of benchmarking calls in the air transport industry with representatives from American, ComAir, Continental, Delta, Northwest, Spirit Air, and United. The three calls to date have focused on general overviews, hazardous waste, and purchasing. The group will continue meeting to discuss such issues as regulatory requirements and information management. For more information, please contact Michelle Sargent at CSP.



STLE Board Approves New Formal Certification Program
The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve recommendations to instigate a new formal program to certify metalworking fluid experts. The new metalworking fluid program is intended to certify engineers in fluid management practices. To become a certified metalworking fluid specialist, applicants will be required to have demonstrated work experience in areas involving metalworking fluids and pass the STLE metalworking fluids certification exam.

Suit Against IBM and its Chemical Suppliers Moves Forward
Lawsuits have been filed against IBM and its chemical suppliers (Dupont, Union Carbide, Shell Oil and Eastman Kodak) by workers claiming that IBM knowingly exposed workers to cancer-causing elements in its semiconductor factories without giving fair health warnings. Read more…

New Book Promotes Improved Chemical Management
A new book is out that promotes "compliance-side total chemical management" or CSTCM. The Non-Toxic CEO: Protecting your people, planet and profits through better chemical management, is written by Mark Wysong, President and CEO of Dolphin Software. He describes CMS as "supply-side total chemical management" and offers CSTCM as an alternative approach to improving chemical management for smaller companies or companies who do not contract with an outside provider. For more information on the book, click here.

Predicting Global EHS Priorities for 2004
The EHS Trends prediction for global 2004 priorities include new international chemical management schemes, global warming and prevention of workplace accidents. Read more…

EU Proposes Increased Product Testing for Chemical Safety
The European Union's head office has adopted a proposal to overhaul chemical safety regulations, including increased testing and registration for thousands of substances used in products such as household cleaners and clothing.



CMS Forum Welcomes Hyundai Motor Company and STLE
The CMS Forum recently welcomed two new members, Hyundai Motor Company and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). We look forward to their participation in the Forum. View CMS Forum Members.

Air Products Completes Takeover of Ashland
Air Products has completed the acquisition of the Electronic Chemicals business of Ashland Specialty Chemical Company, a part of Ashland Inc. Read Air Products’ full press release.