The visit was arranged by Mr Wesley Niemann, lecturer and coordinator of the BCom option Supply Chain Management degree offered by the Department of Business Management. The purpose of the visit was to let the students experience in practice the theory they have studied for three years.

Mr Gary Thomas, Distribution Services Manager of Woolworths, welcomed the students and gave an introductory presentation about Woolworths and their current engagement for sustainable farming. The information session was followed by a tour of the facility, covering the crate washing plant, cold chain, ambient, long life, clothing, home ware and textiles sections.

As supply chain students, the visit was valuable in the sense that the students experienced how a big company like Woolworths works and realised that the ultimate goal is customer service. “The product must be available when the customer wants it”, Mr Thomas explained to the students.

The new Woolworths DC has been in operation since 2007 and covers more than 75 000 m². The fact that it serves more than 250 stores and is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has been an eye-opener for many students and they realised the challenges and importance of optimising the supply chain.

The BCom option Supply Chain Management students would like to thank Woolworths and especially Mr Thomas for giving them the opportunity to get exposure and insight into the everyday challenges of the supply chain, as well as the challenge of adding value to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage.