60 seconds with ... Santa Claus

Santa Claus on getting it right Christmas Eve.

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 12/1/2005

Over the years, there's been lots of talk about how all those gifts get delivered in just one night. I'd say there are two distinct schools of thought.

There's one group that I'll call the believers. They are convinced I'm the best at just-in-time, just-in-sequence deliveries on the planet. Thank you very much.

And then there are the nonbelievers. These people think I'm the king of outsourcing and offshoring. Rather than making the trip myself, I leave it to parents, brothers, sisters, spouses and others to deliver the gifts. Now that's not quite as flattering.

The believers are convinced that a supply chain operation of this scale really is possible. They see it as one giant collaboration between myself, the elves and the reindeer. A powerful combination of incredible planning mixed with amazing manufacturing and warehousing capabilities. Then, it's all topped off with the best transportation management scenario anyone can imagine.

Nonbelievers tend to dismiss all that. Instead, they see Christmas Eve as the culmination of their best efforts to get the gifts under the tree. At best, they think I hang in the background and answer materials handling and logistics questions only when someone is really stumped.

Now, I'm not going to say anything one way or the other here that might take away the magic. But I do wish every one of you a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season.