Over the last 25 years, John Gattorna has earned an international reputation in the supply chain management field. He is a renowned lecturer and task force leader, and has a strong conceptual capacity, combined with a pragmatic approach to solving complex business problems.

Despite a demanding work schedule in industry and commerce John has been, and still is, a prolific writer, having published 10 books and numerous articles in his areas of interest. Many of his books have been translated into Chinese and Japanese language editions; a Russian language edition is due. His most recent books are as follows:

• Living Supply Chains: How to mobilize the enterprise around delivering what your customers want. Published May 2006, FT Prentice Hall, Financial Times. Available through Pearson Books
• Handbook of Supply Chain Management, 5th edn., Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 2003.  Also published by Publishing House of Electronics Industry, Beijing, 2004.
• Supply Chain Cybermastery, (with Andrew Berger), Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 2001.  Also published by Publishing House of Electronics Industry, Beijing, 2002.
• Strategic Supply Chain Management, Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 1998.  Also published by Japan UNI Agency, Tokyo (1999); and Economic Management Publishing House, Beijing ( 2003).
• Managing the Supply Chain: a strategic perspective, (with David Walters), Palgrave macmillan, London, 1996.
• Handbook of Logistics & Distribution Management, 4th edn., John Gattorna (ed), Gower Publishing, Aldershot, 1990.

In the early 1990s John was one of the original co-developers of the 'Strategic Alignment' concept, and since then has continued to research and develop this powerful framework, applying it specifically to the design and management of supply chains. Some of his latest thinking in this regard can be found in his various keynote addresses at conferences and seminars during 2003 and 2004.

His work as Co-Director, Centre for Supply Chain Research, University of Wollongong, led to the publication on 30 March, 2004 of research undertaken for the Logistics Association of Australia(LAA) into the "Characteristics, Strategies and Trends for 3PL/4PL in Australia". This ground-breaking 6-month research project was undertaken by a consortium formed and led jointly by John Gattorna (SBS) and Willem Selen (Macquarie Graduate School of Management). The 'Alpha' Research Consortium as it was known, also included Cranfield School of Management as an academic partner, and was funded by industry partners Bluescope Steel; Linfox; DHL; and Manugistics. The intention is to extend this research into China in 2005, and subsequently link up with similar work being undertaken in Europe and the US.

As a direct result of John's pioneering work in developing the Strategic Alignment concept, he has developed a rapid interactive workshop format designed specifically for in-company use with executive teams. This format was used in July 2004 at the inaugural Supply Chain Executive Forum (7-9 July, 2004), held at the Hyatt Regency, Coolum, Queensland.

John also has been awarded the 2001 SMART Conference Award For Excellence, "In recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of supply chain management" - 24th May 2001.

Furthermore, until recently John held active Board positions on two major charitable organisations:

• Bowel Cancer & Digestive Research Institute Australia, Chairman of the Board, (2000 - 2004)
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Board Director, (2001 - 2004)