IAPMO R&T's Supply Chain Services (SCS) has significantly bolstered its management team with the hiring of Nicolas Bouvier as director. Bouvier brings 20-plus years' experience operating inspection management programs in more than 30 countries worldwide.

"We are thrilled to bring Nicolas' wealth of hands-on experience and specialized knowledge to IAPMO R&T's Supply Chain Services," said IAPMO Chief Technical Services Officer Tom Palkon. "Existing and prospective clients will quickly appreciate his dynamic leadership as they seek a partner in better management of their supply chain concerns. An even more savvy and responsive SCS team represents a strong complement to The IAPMO Group's long-standing, highly regarded global testing and certification services."

A project management professional (PMP) and certified supply chain professional (CSCP) with a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Australia, Bouvier comes to SCS from TUV Rheinland Group, where he's spent the past 10 years based in Hong Kong in various roles including Greater China Inspection Services general manager, Global Inspection Services director and, most recently, innovation manager.

In these various capacities, Bouvier has structured global services as a supply chain partner, set up regional hubs, developed global pricing schemes and services, recruited and built teams and supervised nearly one million inspections and audits.

"It is an honor for me to join IAPMO and its team of competent experts," Bouvier said. "I am impressed by the dedication, dynamism and professionalism of my new colleagues. Particularly, this pervasive commitment to deliver best-in-class testing, inspection and certification is contagious, and I am delighted at the idea to complement those services along the increasingly challenging supply chains of IAPMO's customers and partners.

"Complex outsourcing processes in multiple countries can mean losing some control and visibility, and consequently some generally accepted losses are built in the total procurement costs. That doesn't have to be. An active, efficient supply chain management can trim those losses and eventually turn into a major competitive advantage."

Supply Chain Services aims to bridge the gaps between laboratory testing and certification, retailers, buyers and manufacturers, integrating itself into the overall sourcing processes to detect problems before shipment, helping clients' bottom line and safeguarding their reputation on the market. Supply Chain Services adds value to the overall sourcing workflows by upkeeping focus on the client's specifications, enhancing visibility for better decision making, and keeping supply chains flowing efficiently.