They all made it into Easter baskets this past March, but Marshmallow Peeps and Hershey's Kisses got there by very different routes—or at least by routes created via very different methods. One candy maker utilized ready-to-use supply chain optimization software, while the other commissioned a custom-designed model and algorithm from Lehigh University researchers. The two candy makers, Just Born Inc. and Hershey Corp., will discuss their differing approaches to supply chain network optimization at a symposium held at Lehigh University's Center for Value Chain Research on May 13-14.

This comparison study is just one of the presentations included in the symposium, whose theme is "Supply Chain Optimization for Speed, Agility, and Efficiency." Other sessions will address new software tools, the role of material handling, and strategies for creating agile supply chains.

For more information on the symposium, visit www.lehigh.edu/~inchain/symposium.