APICS and American Society of Transportation and Logistics (AST&L) said today they have agreed to merge, creating a large, unified voice in supply chain management education, training, and credentialing.

Under the transaction, which still must be approved by AST&L members, Abe Eshkenazi will remain the chief executive officer of APICS, while AST&L president Laurie Hein Denham will join APICS as a senior director.

"AST&L has respected credentials, robust industry content, a network of subject matter experts, and our organizations have worked together for years," Eshkenazi said in a statement. "We are enhancing our capabilities to address two of the most important topics in the global economy today—developing supply chain talent and elevating supply chain performance."

"All aspects of the supply chain are becoming increasingly integrated," said George Yarusavage, chairman of the AST&L board, in the statement. "Education, training, and credential programs that offer an end-to-end supply chain perspective are critical to helping today's professionals advance and organizations thrive."

The combination unites APICS' four well-known certification programs—Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework, and SCOR Professional (SCOR-P)—with AST&L's three credentials, including the Certified in Transportation and Logistics (CTL) designation.

The groups said the merger will also supply greater resources and access to volunteer subject-matter experts committed to providing individuals, supply chain organizations, and the transportation and logistics industry with a respected and validated credential program.