Brown-Forman highlights need for tech in supply chain with internal executive moves

Brown-Forman has targeted the logistics side of its business with two senior appointments this week, including the creation of the chief information officer position.

Larry Combs extends his quarter-century-plus-stint with the group, assuming the new role along with director of supply chain integration & strategy. Having joined Brown-Forman in 1996, Combs will oversee the strategy for the company’s “application technologies, enterprise architecture, data and analytics strategy and framework, and portfolio management, as well as the continued development and execution of logistics, procurement, planning and production strategies”.

Also announced today is the appointment of Jack Daniel Distillery’s GM, Melvin Keebler, to take on additional responsibilities for the facility’s supply chain operations. More specifically, Keebler, who has overseen operations at the Lynchburg, Tennessee distillery for the last 20 years, will also cover the Brown-Forman cooperage.

“Supply chains across the globe have been under pressure for the last few years driven in part by a lack of modern technologies to address the stressors,” said chief global supply chain & technology officer Tim Nall. “This new role [chief information officer] ensures Brown-Forman is well-positioned to leverage leading applications and technologies that will enhance our global supply chain and ongoing operations,”

Speaking to Global Drinks Intel this week, group CEO Lawson Whiting acknowledged the logistical challenges facing the likes of Brown-Forman at the moment. “The environment in which we operate has been volatile, from trade issues to … supply chain … ,” he said. “While we aren’t necessarily worried, we’re keeping a constant eye on how we can be agile and innovative.”

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