Canadian Cycling Association in 2012 - Article Example

Supply Chain issues facing Canadian Cycling Association for London Olympics and Paralympic games Overview: Cycling is a popular recreational activity in Canada and it continues to grow each year, in a number of areas including media coverage and industry sales. This popularity is reflected by the phenomenal success of the country's National team, which has till date earned 4 Olympic Silver Medals, 4 Olympic Bronze Medals, 10 World Championship Gold Medals and many prestigious achievements (CCA homepage, 2006). The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is the official body representing Canadian athletes, and looks after policies, procedures, equipment purchase, training, medical and other expenses, and tries to achieve high performance results. The aim of this study, is to present a supply chain management analysis, for CCA's preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games, and also Paralympic Games. For doing so, we would present a scenario analysis of different issues related to the study: overview of the team and equipment needed, infrastructure related to transportation of equipment to Olympic venue, and preparation requirements based on infrastructure arrangements in London. Team overview: Sports Canada allocates financial measures to athletes based on what is known as "carding system". It is given based on achievements in previous year's international events and World Championships (CCA, 2003). The Senior Card is given to athletes capable of performing among the Top 16 worldwide. Monthly allowances start from $900 to $1500. There is also a Development Card, given to athletes who show the potential to reach Senior Card. Next in importance is the National Team Selection comprising coaches and fitness experts, which is short listed by a High Performance Committee based on evaluative sessions. Athletes thereby selected, are classified according to whether they are Carded, Development, Reserve or Young Women Teams (YWT's). Checks and measures deliberated in the process of selection, ensure that the most deserving talent is screened for further considerations (CCA, 2003). Equipment: CCA recommends following equipment for its cycling teams competing at Olympic level (Racesportif, 2006): Bike: The elementary criteria used, is the basic ABC's for a good bike (CCA ABC Quick Check, 2006). "A" means Air in tyres, which entails checking everything in tyres, whether they are inflated or not, the wheel alignment, looseness in axle bearings, condition of tread. "B" means Brakes, which entails adequate distance between levers and handlebars, condition of brake pads whether they are worn out or not, brakes tightening fully on the rim, condition of cables. "C" means chains or cranks, which entails lubrication on chain, checking whether pedals spin freely, looseness in the bottom bracket, tightness of levers, levers flushing against the forks, tightness of nuts on the axles, loose parts, etc. There are several Canada-based Sports manufacturers catering to bike requirements. Racersportif has 6 ranges of sports bikes, priced between $5000-$6000 CAN (Racersportif, 2006). Cyclissmo is another recognised product line, featuring famous brands such as Colnago, Devinci, Look, Shimano, Ridley and SRAM (Cyclissmo, 2006). Parts and accessories: The important parts and accessories, as per Racesportif product manual consists of Road Forks (Starting $300 CAN), Tyres (Starting $20 CAN), Computers (Starting $60 CAN), Rims (Starting $60 CAN), Pedals (Starting $165 CAN), Other components such as rollers, travel cases, floor pumps, and finally, Polar Heart Rate Monitors (Starting $300 CAN). Wheelsets: Racesportif has following products under its banner: Dimpled Wheelsets, Pro Wheelsets, Disc Rear Wheel, Mavic Kysirium Wheelsets, Corima 4 Spoke Wheels. Prices start $700 CAN. Clothing and Footwear: Several products are available for both. For clothing, airblock vests are in demand (Start from $200 CAN). Footwear featuring density control systems, buckle closures, carbon fibre soles, ultra heels are recommended for professional bikers. Computrainers: Computrainers are used extensively by cycling teams of Great Britain, USA and Canada. This, basically is a precision bicycle ergometer measuring wattage, heart rate and cadence. Computrainers increase cycling power by 20-30% and speed to 6 KPH. Also used are Computrainer Pedal Stroke Analyzers, that define flat or dead spots in the pedal strokes: a marvellous invention for bike coaches, and specialist trainers. Prices start $75 CAN. Infrastructure for transporting equipment (SCM): Having zeroed in on team selection modules, and basic cycling equipment, it is important to assess the supply chain management infrastructure needed to supply equipment to Olympic destination. It is with this end in mind, that we shall present an analysis of how the cycling equipment should be transferred, and be available at the moment needed, for optimum desired performance. Supply Chain Management (SCM) basically refers to the art and science of improving the way a company finds its raw materials, to be able to deliver the final product piece to the customer, for the desired role. It consists of 5 essential stages (CIO, 2006): Plan: This is the strategic portion of SCM where a wholesome strategy is formed to manage all resources that go towards meeting customer demand for the product. Planning should result in developing a set of metrics, that monitor the supply chain so that it is efficient, costs less and delivers high quality and satisfaction, to the customer. For CCA, it entails internal analysis of vital resources, that go in the making of a successful strategy: number of bikes required, estimated budget, professional expertise in terms of fitness experts and physiotherapists, decision on reserves and substitute players. Data required includes past and present performance records of individual athletes, and also their fitness records. Source: This entails choosing the suppliers who will deliver the goods and services required in making the product. This is done through a set of pricing, delivery and payment processes with suppliers, and creating metrics for monitoring and improving the relationships. Also, efficient processes should be set in, to monitor the regular inventory of goods and authorising payments. The suppliers mentioned in the study so far, Cyclissmo and Racesportif are currently, the mainstay for the Canadian team. In the field of sports, decisions on pricing can sometimes take a backseat, when the pressing need is to have dedicated suppliers committed to providing cutting-edge technology gear, and equipment that would withstand the pressure arising due to competition. Make: This is the manufacturing step involving scheduling of activities necessary for production, testing, packaging and preparation for delivery. Stringent quality levels and labour productivity standards are enforced here. For CCA, the real challenge lies in deciding on the best value for money, tool guide connected with metric-intensive portion of the supply chain. As an abundant variety of equipment is available as discussed in study, the real challenge lies in allocating the right equipment to the athletes, based on individual convenience, and comfort levels of equipment needed. Deliver: This is the important part concerning logistics operations. This is where SCM software such as Arena, may be used to coordinate the receipt of orders from the customers, develop a network of warehouses, pick carriers and set up an invoicing system. This involves shipping and handling costs, which is borne through collaboration with sponsors. The two most important sponsors, for CCA immediate needs are: Tim Hortons, and Sports Canada. The latter is a branch of the Canadian Identity Sector, and its core mission is to support the achievement of high performance excellence and the development of the Canadian Sport system, to strengthen the unique contribution that sport makes to Canada's culture. Also, supply side dynamics require sustenance from capable partners. The main partners of CCA, are: Athletes can, Coaching Association of Canada, Computrainer and Olympic Oval. Also, Peak Centre for Human Performance is a high performance testing centre for all fitness equipment before delivery is made. Return: This is the Problem part of Supply chain. The objective lies in creating a network for receiving defective and excess products, back from customers and supporting customers who got defective products. This function is primarily met with feedback initiatives triggered from customer side, i. e. athletes, and trainers who decide if a piece of equipment is defective, or can cause failing in performance standards. Infrastructure report for Olympic venue: A Velodrome and BMX track located at Eastway Sports Centre along the Eastway cycling circuit, has been proposed for Track and BMX cycling events. Each would accommodate around 6000 spectators. These essentially, contain an Oval for 10 speeds, and tracks with jump for BMX. The plans are designed to fit in with the International Olympic Committee's ideal of a compact Games, with more than half of Olympic events taking place within a 15-minute drive of the Olympic village, which would provide accommodation requirements for athletes (LDA, 2006). British Cycling (BC) is providing the much-needed technical support, for the Eastway relocation initiative. There are 2 main tracks for the Olympic events: 1)Ramney Marsh and 2)Hog Hill. Located on a site area of 11 hectares, the Ramney Marsh circuit is 1.6 km long, and an elevation range of 383 m. Vertical change per lap is 25 m. There are 4 significant rises, and 4 falls. The major disadvantages of the circuit, are: noise pollution from M25, less off-road cycling provision for mountain biking, and steep terrain (LDA, 2006). Hog Hill in comparison is another 1.6 km circuit, with a maximum steep fall of 630 m. Built on a site map of 17.7 hectares, it has 12 straights and 13 curves. Vertical change per lap is 33 m. There are 3 significant rise, and 3 falls. And, there are adequate changing and social facilities. The biggest disadvantage of this terrain, lies in terms of steep gradients, which can pose significant challenges to a cyclist, inexperienced in such terrains (LDA, 2006). Assessment of CCA arrangements based on infrastructure report: It goes without saying that the conditions of track, play a significant role in deciding a team's equipment and protective gear. As followed from above infrastructure report, the following things have to be kept in mind while deciding CCA's supply side infrastructure requirements. This is done as per parameters covered earlier. Team selection: Considering the challenges posed by bicycling terrain, CCA must make full use of athletes covered under Senior Card program, i. e. those athletes who performed well in earlier tournaments should be given competitive priority, to enhance consistency in actual event. Equipment-bikes: Apart from fulfilling the ABC requirements spelt out for an efficient bike, considering the world-class curvature benefits, it is advisable to use deralieurs (shifters) or brakes for curve-spinning. It is done by using a free gear, or cog, that does not freewheel. This helps to maximise speed, keep weight to a minimum, and allow some braking as the rider resists the rotation of the wheels directly through the cranks and pedals. Equipment-parts and accessories: The London tracks are built on Velodrome, which are made of wood trusswork with a surface made with strips of the rain-forest wood Afzelia. The tyres needed have to be adjusted, according to the texture and convexity of the curve. This would influence buying decision. Equipment-Clothing and footwear: Clothing is adjusted according to London's summer, which varies from sunny periods to damp and humid conditions. The clothing equipment purchased should have enough breathing space, and sweat-absorption coatings. Equipment-Wheelsets: Again, wheelsets will vary, depending upon the tread of tyre suitable for track conditions. The best arrangement is possible through consultation with track enthusiasts who can shed light on the physics behind this arrangement. Equipment-Computrainers: The reason for choosing this equipment has been mentioned before. Also, a Polar Hear Rate monitor is important because the track stands to offer some nasty surprises, which can adversely impact team fitness levels at the onset of the actual race. Supply Chain Management: The biggest achievement no doubt, would be to procure necessary equipment from standardised manufacturers such as Racesportif and Cyclissmo, and utilising the service of team sponsors to ensure their safe and timely delivery. Of course, with the Government of Canada taking a central interest in the cycling team's good performance, the issue of expenses being a secondary concern for this product in our supply chain discussions. Summary: This study confirms the preparatory arrangements for Canada's cycling association, CCA, in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, and assesses the core arrangements to be fulfilled, in order to deliver desired performance. The data used is based on CCA guidelines, and is readily applicable. Sources Canadian Cycling Association Homepage, 2006, CCA Network, Retrieved 7 Nov 2006 from http://www.canadian-cycling.com/English/home.htm CCA ABC Quick Check, 2006, Retrieved 7 Nov 2006 from CCA homepage, http://www.canadian-cycling.com/English/programs/canbike/abc.htm CCA, 2003, Canadian Cycling Team Carding criteria, Retrieved 7 Nov 2006 from www.canadian-cycling.com/English/information/documents/2005%20NT%20Program%20-%20ENG.pdf CIO, 2006, The ABC's of Supply Chain Management by Ben Worthen, CIO Publications, 41-(55) Cyclissmo, 2006, Homepage of Cyclissmo company products. Retrieved 7 Nov 2006 from http://www.cyclissimo.ca/ LDA, 2006, Eastway Cycle Circuit Consultation Information Leaflet, Recovered from London Development Authority Infrastructure publications, April, 2006. Racersportif, 2006, Homepage of Racersportif company products. Retrieved 7 Nov 2006 from http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races06/racersportif_bounce.html Read More