Atlanta – The latest episode of ECIA’s The Channel Channel podcast series features ECIA’s Don Elario with some exciting updates on the activities of the Global Industry Practices Committee. Listeners will also learn about Don’s journey with the industry, including decades of experience with the operations side of the global components supply chain. ECIA’s GIPC has had a very busy and productive 2019 under Don’s leadership. He shared some of the year’s highlights:
- Published Tariff Best Practices document
- Issued second tariff advisory addressing tariff removal
- Preparations for a new working group in Q1 on Free Trade Zone warehouses
- Established blockchain solutions working group and identified use cases in components industry through partnership with IBM
- Identified two operational blockchain solutions from IBM and offered a webinar to communicate results of initiative to membership
- Analog Devices/Mouser are developing a paperless process to manage COCs
- Partnered with Compliance and Risk, a consultancy based in Cork, Ireland, to update members regularly on the rapidly changing global environmental regulations
Finally, the GIPC has streamlined the way the Subject Matter Experts work together. “We know that time is precious,” Don explained. “And we want to be especially efficient with our committee members’ schedules.” He added “Now, with the reorganization of ECIA, the Board is setting the priorities for all the committees and we need to make sure the GIPC process becomes even more responsive and accessible to a broader industry membership.” Here are some of the changes planned for 2020:
- A small manufacturer company and small distributor company will be added to the committee leadership; it will now include four manufacturers, four distributors and one manufacturers representative.
- The focus will remain on seven SME groups: International Trade Compliance; Business Process Operations; Logistics Services; Environmental Compliance; IT Security; Quality; and Blockchain Technology. The group leader/member structure has been replaced with an ‘SME pool’ of experts with backgrounds and expertise ranging across the 7 areas of focus.
- Quarterly calls will be conducted to report on GIPC activities and ask for feedback and input. Those calls will be open to both ECIA members and non-members. They will be offered in webinar format, be recorded then posted on the website for maximum reach.
The entire podcast is accessible at www.ecianow.org. |
