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The 2007 Wharton Economic Summit ::
Panels



Globalization and Outsourcing: Integration with China and India
Sponsor: Fishman-Davidson Center for Service and Operations Management of the Wharton School
Moderator: Morris Cohen, Panasonic Professor of Manufacturing and Logistics; Professor of Operations and Information Management and Systems Engineering; Co-Director, Fishman-Davidson Center for Service and Operations Management
Panelists:  Ashok Divakaran, Richard A. Helfenbein, Ramkrishan (Remi) Hinduja, Sashi P. Reddi
Thursday, April 12 - 10:00-11:15 a.m. :: Full Summit Schedule

The globalization of manufacturing and service functions has moved to a new level. World-class providers of everything from contract manufacturing to call centers to software development have emerged, especially in China and India. The ability to compete in most industries requires effective outsourcing to these new suppliers. The challenges of globalization, however, go far beyond chasing low labor costs. The globally outsourced company must develop skills in coordination, learning, risk mitigation, and performance evaluation that cut across multiple business functions, geographies, and cultures. This panel will address the following questions and issues: What is the current status of globalization and outsourcing in key industries with emerging Chinese and Indian suppliers? What are the trends for the future? What are the principal challenges to successful integration? What are the key costs, benefits, and risks? How will government and political developments, as well as technology and financial market re-structuring, impact these issues?

Panelists
:: Ashok Divakaran
   Principal
   Booz Allen Hamilton - Global Organization and Change practice

Ashok Divakaran is a principal in Booz Allen Hamilton's global Organization and Change practice. With nine years' management consulting experience, Ashok advises clients on large-scale, cross-functional organizational transformation strategies with a particular focus on outsourcing, offshoring and shared services. He is the author of several publications on these topics including, most recently, "Outsourcing Thought Leaders" (strategy+business books) and a frequent conference speaker. He is based in Booz Allen's Chicago office.

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:: Richard A. Helfenbein , W'70
   President
   Luen Thai USA

Rick Helfenbein is the president of all USA Operations for Luen Thai International Group. In this capacity, he is responsible for sales, marketing, operations, logistics, and finance for the Luen Thai USA companies, which are located in New York, New Jersey, and California.

Luen Thai is the largest publicly listed apparel manufacturing company on the Hong Kong Exchange and makes finished apparel products for companies such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Liz Claiborne, Limited Stores, Dillard's, Gap, and Uniglo in Japan.

Mr. Helfenbein has over 30 years of experience in the apparel and textile industries and has held key executive positions within the Americas and Asia. He is credited with the successful launch of the LE TIGRE brand in 1979, as well as introducing Wilt Chamberlain to the apparel industry, representing Big and Tall product to the American Market. In 1990 he helped engineer the split between the IZOD brand and LACOSTE. Mr. Helfenbein also introduced powerful Burlington Industries into the apparel manufacturing segment.

Mr. Helfenbein holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School. He has served as a board member of Campus Sportswear Company (LE TIGRE), Crystal Brands (LACOSTE), Blythedale Children's Hospital in New York, and is currently a Board Member of American Apparel and Footwear Association. Annually, he participates in the Consortium for Operational Excellence in Retailing.

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:: Ramkrishan (Remi) Hinduja , W'91
   Chairman
   HTMT Global Solutions Ltd.

Remi Hinduja has successfully built and expanded businesses for the Hinduja Group, a diversified multinational conglomerate with operations in trading, automotive, energy & chemicals, technology, media, telecom, banking & finance, real estate and infrastructure sectors with a total of 35,000 employees.

Since 2001, Remi has led the Group's initiatives in technology, media and communication space under the HTMT name. As the first state-wide GSM operator to be profitable in India, he rapidly built an 80% market share in Gujarat state and rolled it into Hutchison's telecom unit in India, which resulted in significant value realization last year. In media space, HTMT built the largest Cable TV MSO, along with integrated broadband/VOIP operation and media content business. Through organic growth and acquisitions, HTMT's IT/BPO business has become one of the leaders in the space with 10,000 people in 20 centres across five countries. These businesses are now being spun off for more focused growth.

He recently moved to New York to incubate the Group's Merchant Banking business headquartered there.

Remi's current responsibilities include country head for the Americas; sector head for technology, media & telecom worldwide; member of advisory board, Amas Bank Switzerland; director, Hinduja Group of India; co-chairman, HTMT Ltd.; chairman, HTMT Global Solutions Ltd., vice chairman, Gulf Oil India Ltd.; member of the Governing Council of National Health Society, which owns and manages the P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Research Centre.

He earned his BSE in 1991 from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

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:: Sashi P. Reddi , GRW'94
   Chief Executive Officer
   Applabs Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Sashi P. Reddi is founder, chairman and CEO of AppLabs Technologies, a global IT services company. Mr. Reddi is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully built technology companies over the last 12 years. His first company, EZPower Systems, was acquired by DocuCorp (Nasdaq: DOCC), where he then served as senior vice president. His current company, AppLabs, is the largest independent testing company in the world with current year revenues of $75 million. Sequoia Capital invested $17 million in AppLabs.

Sashi is also the founder of FXLabs, the leading developer of video games in India. Suresh Productions, a leading film company in India, led a $3 million investment round in FXLabs in May 2006.

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