XLRI Jamshedpur Hosts ClockSpeed 6.0

Exploring Future of Smart and Sustainable Supply Chains

Jamshedpur: XLRI – Xavier School of Management hosted the 6th edition of ClockSpeed, its annual Operations and Supply Chain Conclave, bringing together industry leaders and academicians to discuss the future of modern supply chains.

Dr. (Fr.) George Sebastian, S.J., Director of XLRI, inaugurated the conclave in the presence of Prof. A. Kanagaraj, Prof. Sunil Sarangi, Prof. J. Ajith Kumar, and Prof. Debashish Pradhan. The team lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the beginning of the event.

Focus on Agility, Sustainability, and Technology

Addressing the gathering, Fr. George Sebastian stressed the importance of strong industry-academia collaboration. He said leaders and students must learn from real-world challenges and adapt to rapid changes in the global business environment.

Prof. J. Ajith Kumar highlighted the growing importance of supply chains by citing global disruptions such as the Ever Given Suez Canal blockage. He emphasized the need for agility, sustainability, and technology to build resilient systems.

Prof. Sunil Sarangi referred to the Agile Manifesto and the Theory of Constraints, explaining that agility helps organizations respond to change, while sustainability ensures long-term balance.

Theme: Synchronized Horizons

This year’s conclave revolved around the theme “Synchronized Horizons: Integrating Agility, Sustainability, and Tech.” The theme reflected the growing need for resilient, technology-driven, and environmentally responsible supply chains.

Panel 1: Smart Supply Chains Take Centre Stage

The first panel, “Smart Supply Chain – Emerging Tech in Logistics & Order Fulfilment,” featured experts from Cognizant, Tata Steel, Century Plyboards (India) Limited, West Pharmaceutical Services, and Hindustan Platinum.

Panelists explained how supply chains have evolved from back-end operations to strategic boardroom priorities. They highlighted the importance of clean data, the “7 Rs” of supply chain management, and the use of smart technologies and multimodal logistics.

Panel 2: Sustainability Drives Growth

The second panel, “Strategic Green Engine – Driving P&L Growth through Circularity,” included leaders from Indian Oil Corporation Limited, CGI, Cummins Inc., and Delhivery.

Speakers discussed how companies now treat sustainability as a growth driver rather than just compliance. They focused on circular operations, reverse logistics, and innovations such as green hydrogen and electric transport solutions.

Platform for Industry–Academia Interaction

The conclave created a strong platform for interaction between students and industry experts. Participants gained insights into real-world challenges and emerging opportunities in operations and supply chain management.

Himanshu Shekhar, Senior Manager – Corporate Relations and Placements, managed the event with support from the PGDM (GM) Placement Committee, ensuring its smooth execution.

Strengthening Future Leadership

Through initiatives like ClockSpeed, XLRI continues to strengthen industry–academia collaboration and prepare future leaders to navigate complex global supply chain ecosystems.