SSI Schaefer is one of the world’s largest technology solutions providers and components manufacturers for industries that require streamlined storage and production equipment, waste management and recycling systems, order picking and conveyor technology, and planning and logistics services.

With 53 subsidiaries in 35 countries and 16 production sites worldwide, the company is the largest global supplier and manufacturer of industrial storage systems.

SSI Schaefer was founded in 1937 in Germany, and is now represented in over 50 countries; the Australian headquarters is located in Moorebank, New South Wales, with a secondary office in Melbourne. The company also has a network of distributors in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Tasmania, regional New South Wales and Victoria.

SSI Schaefer is a committed sponsor of the Logistics Mercury Awards. The company sponsored the Young Professional of the Year award this year, for the second year running. The event took place on 2 September in Sydney; see page 24 onwards for the official 2010 Mercury Awards event coverage.

According to the company’s managing director, Alan Clark, it is important in the logistics industry to celebrate young achievers — especially with the skills shortage that various Australian industries are currently experiencing.

“We at SSI Schaefer believe it is our social responsibility as a corporate citizen to encourage the youth of today to take active roles in such a dynamic industry,” he told Logistics & Materials Handling.

“Young professionals are the future of our industry and to train and nurture the youth of today will ensure our industry can only go from strength-to-strength in the future.”

According to Clark, the issues of tackling skills shortages in Australian industry by supporting crucial skills, training and recruitment ventures are especially important to SSI Schaefer. One way the company is doing its bit to raise awareness about the importance of up-skilling young staff members is by sponsoring programs such as the Logistics Mercury Awards.

“Skills and training are important issues for SSI Schaefer, as 80% of our staff is under 35 years of age, and each are encouraged to maintain a high level of technical expertise and to be at the fore front of technology and innovation,” said Clark.

For Clark and SSI Schaefer, striving to be the best you can be is the best way forward for young achievers in the logistics and supply chain businesses.

“Success breeds success, so just keep trying and at the end of the day you can only do your best, providing you deliver your best all day every day you will reap the benefits,” he said.

“Congratulations to all the finalists!, and to the runners up keep trying, your standards are exemplary and unfortunately there can only be one winner, but keep doing your best as the results will pay off in the end!”

According to Clark, this year’s awards show cased three major trends that are taking place in the logistics and supply chain industries in Australia today.

“The top-three issues facing the industry at present are: continually trying to take costs out of the supply chain; continually trying to get the highest levels of DIFOT (Deliver in Full on Time) at the least operating cost; and compliance to the environmental occupational health and safety [standards],” he said.

SSI Schaefer sells a range of: racking and shelving systems, including pallet racking, carton flow racking and pallet flow racking; transport and storage containers, including storage, order picking and transport containers; and logistics systems, including high rise automated storage, system integration, and conveyor systems.

SSI Schaefer 02 9824 3844, www.ssi-schaefer.com.au