For nearly 150 college students, the Conexus Indiana Case Competitions were a chance to apply the principles they learn in the classroom to solve real-world business challenges facing logistics and automotive manufacturing companies. The students practiced teamwork, critical thinking and problem- solving skills, while applying supply chain and business practices taught in the classroom.
Thirty-six teams participated in the Logistics Case Competition and the Automotive Case Competition, with Earlham College taking home first-place honors in the Logistics Case Competition and the student team from Purdue University Fort Wayne winning the Automotive Case Competition.
The case competitions were supported by the industry-led Conexus Indiana Logistics Council and Advanced Manufacturing Council. Student teams gathered in Indianapolis in October for each of the three-day events and worked diligently to solve the business cases they were presented.
The events also served as the backdrop for Conexus Indiana to promote exciting career opportunities available in these industries, provide networking opportunities with many of the state’s most prominent industry executives and help students discover the kinds of job opportunities that are available.
“Conexus Indiana wants to inspire the future advanced manufacturing and logistics workforce by providing tangible experiences, including these engaging case competitions, to students at all levels of education, including post-secondary,” said J. Mark Howell, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “Thanks to our industry partners, we are able to provide opportunities to college students that we hope will result in them committing to careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics – and staying in Indiana to pursue those careers.”
Students interested in careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics have bright futures. There are nearly 100,000 estimated jobs in these sectors in Indiana each year and the average wage is above $65,000 for both sectors, well above the average for all careers statewide.
Conexus Indiana works closely with Indiana’s universities to encourage the best and brightest students pursue degrees in advanced manufacturing and logistics or supply chain management. In addition to the case competitions, Conexus Indiana sponsors multiple opportunities for college students to meet with executives on campus.
Competing Schools
- Ball State
- Butler University
- Earlham College
- Franklin College
- Hanover College
- Indiana State University
- Indiana University
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Marian University
- Purdue University
- Purdue University, Columbus
- Purdue University, Kokomo
- Purdue University, Fort Wayne
- Purdue Polytechnic
- Purdue Polytechnic – Anderson
- Purdue Polytechnic – Vincennes
- St. Mary’s – Texas
- University of Evansville
- University of Indianapolis
- University of Southern Indiana
- Valparaiso University
- Vincennes University
- University of Indianapolis
- University of Evansville
Supporting Companies
- AISIN
- Allegion
- Allison Transmission
- AM General
- Cummins
- Faurecia
- FedEx
- Fiat Chrysler Automotive
- FullBeauty Brands
- General Motors
- GEODIS
- Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC
- Indianapolis Airport Authority
- Integrated Distribution Services
- Merchandise Warehouse
- Mursix
- NTN Driveshaft
- Rolls-Royce
- Subaru of Indiana
- Toyota Indiana