Association for Supply Chain Management
A not-for-profit international organization providing supply-chain education, professional certifications, standards, research, and networking.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The Association for Supply Chain Management, commonly known as ASCM, is a not-for-profit professional and educational organization focused on advancing end-to-end supply-chain management. It provides certification programs, training, digital learning content, technical frameworks, publications, and networking opportunities for professionals and organizations involved in planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, distribution, technology, and supply-chain transformation. The organization was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1957 by 27 production and inventory control managers under the name American Production and Inventory Control Society, abbreviated APICS. Its initial purpose was to create a professional community around production and inventory control, an area that was becoming increasingly important as manufacturers adopted more complex planning, scheduling, materials-management, and inventory systems. APICS held its first conference in Cleveland in 1958. It began attracting Canadian participants in 1961 and chartered a Hamilton, Ontario, chapter that year. By 1969, it had 47 affiliated chapters across the United States and Canada. APICS became best known for professional education and credentials in production, inventory, and operations management. Its Certified in Production and Inventory Management designation, now called APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management or CPIM, was introduced in 1973. The qualification covers subjects including demand management, procurement and supplier planning, materials requirements planning, capacity planning, sales and operations planning, master scheduling, performance measurement, quality, supplier relationships, and continuous improvement. More than 100,000 professionals have earned the designation since its creation, according to the supplied reference material. The organization's scope expanded beyond traditional production control through institutional combinations and new certification offerings. On August 5, 2014, APICS merged with the Supply Chain Council, an organization known for developing the Supply Chain Operations Reference model. The Supply Chain Council's work contributed a common process language for describing and assessing supply chains, originally organized around Plan, Source, Make, and Deliver, with Return and Enable later added. APICS merged with the American Society of Transportation and Logistics in 2015, broadening its coverage of transportation and logistics. In 2018, APICS adopted the name Association for Supply Chain Management. The ASCM identity reflects a wider end-to-end view of supply chains, while APICS remains an important brand within the organization, particularly in connection with its established credentials. ASCM's current portfolio includes CPIM, Certified Supply Chain Professional or CSCP, Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution or CLTD, and Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain or CTSC. It also offers certificates in procurement, warehousing, planning, technology, supply-chain resilience, and supplier relationship management. ASCM serves individuals as well as employers seeking common terminology, workforce development, and operational-improvement methods. Its education is delivered through certification preparation, instructor-led and self-paced training, online resources, and member content. The organization has also developed standards and models addressing digital capabilities, sustainability, and supply-chain transformation. Publications and knowledge resources include the Supply Chain Dictionary, online articles, the Supply Chain Knowledge Center, and journals published through Wiley. ASCM also owns the Journal of Operations Management and Transportation Journal. The organization operates internationally through professional communities, educational programs, certification candidates, chapters, and corporate relationships. Its principal positioning is that of a standards-oriented, practitioner-focused authority connecting supply-chain knowledge with measurable workplace performance. Unlike a conventional commercial education company, ASCM combines professional association functions, credentialing, technical standards, research, and networking under a not-for-profit structure.
History
The Association for Supply Chain Management traces its origins to 1957, when 27 production and inventory control managers formed the American Production and Inventory Control Society in Cleveland, Ohio. The founders were responding to the growing need for professional methods covering manufacturing planning, materials control, inventory management, and production scheduling. The new society held its first conference in Cleveland in 1958. APICS expanded beyond its original local base during the 1960s. Canadian professionals attended the organization’s activities beginning in 1961, and a Hamilton, Ontario, chapter was chartered that same year. By 1969, APICS had 47 affiliated chapters in cities across the United States and Canada. Chapters gave the organization a structure for local education, professional networking, and the exchange of operational practices. A major part of APICS’s institutional development was the creation of formal professional credentials. The CPIM program was founded in 1973 and became a widely recognized qualification in production and inventory management. Its curriculum addressed the interconnected processes used to plan and control materials, capacity, suppliers, production, inventory, and customer demand. Over time, the credential evolved toward the name Certified in Planning and Inventory Management, reflecting a broader emphasis on planning while maintaining the APICS identity. The organization later broadened its remit from manufacturing operations to the full supply chain. The Supply Chain Council was established in 1996 as an independent not-for-profit organization by AMR Research and the consulting firm Pittiglio, Rabin, Todd and McGrath. It developed the Supply Chain Operations Reference model, commonly called SCOR, to provide a common language for describing and analyzing supply-chain processes. The model initially organized supply-chain activity into Plan, Source, Make, and Deliver processes; Return and Enable were subsequently added to address reverse flows, governance, and supporting capabilities. The council's membership included organizations from manufacturing, services, distribution, and retail. APICS merged with the Supply Chain Council on August 5, 2014. This transaction combined APICS's professional education and certification infrastructure with the council's process model and standards work. APICS then merged with the American Society of Transportation and Logistics in 2015, adding further expertise in transportation and logistics. In 2018, the organization changed its name to the Association for Supply Chain Management. The new name was intended to communicate a comprehensive, end-to-end orientation rather than an exclusive focus on production and inventory control. APICS continued as an important internal brand, especially for CPIM, CSCP, and CLTD credentials and related education. Under the ASCM identity, the organization developed a broader portfolio of credentials and certificates. The Certified Supply Chain Professional program, launched in 2006, focuses on the knowledge and organizational capabilities needed to design and improve integrated supply-chain operations. The Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution program launched in 2016 and addresses logistics, transportation, distribution, and related operational topics. ASCM also introduced the Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain program, which draws on the SCOR Digital Standard, sustainability standards, and the Digital Capabilities Model. Additional certificates cover procurement, warehousing, planning, technology, supply-chain resilience, and supplier relationship management. The organization has increasingly used digital delivery, including online articles, member resources, self-paced learning, and the Supply Chain Knowledge Center. It also publishes or owns professional reference and research material, including the Supply Chain Dictionary and journals associated with operations management and transportation. SCM Now, formerly an official print publication, was replaced or supplemented by a more digital publishing approach. ASCM's present role combines professional association, education provider, credentialing body, and standards organization. It serves supply-chain practitioners, employers, educators, and other stakeholders seeking common terminology and structured methods for improving performance. Its historical evolution—from a production and inventory control society to an organization addressing digital transformation, resilience, sustainability, logistics, and end-to-end integration—mirrors the expansion of supply-chain management as a distinct professional discipline.
- 2018
Organization becomes ASCM
[1]APICS adopts the Association for Supply Chain Management name while retaining APICS as a major program brand.
- 2016
CLTD is launched
[1]APICS introduces the Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution credential.
- 2015
Merger with AST&L
[1]APICS combines with the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, expanding its transportation and logistics coverage.
- 2014
Merger with the Supply Chain Council
[1]APICS completes its merger with the Supply Chain Council on August 5, bringing SCOR-related standards into its portfolio.
- 2006
CSCP is launched
[1]APICS launches the Certified Supply Chain Professional designation for professionals responsible for integrated supply-chain operations.
- 1996
Supply Chain Council is formed
[1]AMR Research and Pittiglio, Rabin, Todd and McGrath establish the Supply Chain Council, which later develops the SCOR model and joins APICS.
- 1973
CPIM program is established
[1]APICS introduces the professional designation that became its Certified in Planning and Inventory Management credential.
- 1969
Chapter network reaches 47 affiliations
[1]APICS has 47 affiliated chapters across the United States and Canada.
- 1961
International expansion begins
[1]Canadian participants attend APICS activities and the organization charters a chapter in Hamilton, Ontario.
- 1958
First APICS conference
[1]The newly formed society holds its first conference in Cleveland, beginning a continuing program of professional exchange and education.
Products and positioning
A global, standards-oriented professional association and education provider for end-to-end supply-chain management, combining certifications, training, technical frameworks, research, and networking.
Professional certification · 1973
APICS CPIM
The Certified in Planning and Inventory Management credential covers planning and control across demand, procurement, materials, capacity, production, inventory, suppliers, quality, and continuous improvement. Originally known as Certified in Production and Inventory Management, the program places greater emphasis on planning in its current form. The designation was established in 1973 and has been earned by more than 100,000 people according to the supplied reference material.
Professional certification · 2006
APICS CSCP
The Certified Supply Chain Professional designation addresses integrated supply-chain knowledge, coordination, and operational improvement. It is intended for professionals who need to connect sourcing, production, logistics, distribution, and organizational strategy. The program launched in 2006 and has been earned by more than 30,000 professionals in 100 countries according to the supplied reference material.
Professional certification · 2016
APICS CLTD
The Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution credential provides structured education in logistics operations, transportation, distribution, inventory flows, warehousing, and related supply-chain activities. It was designed to extend ASCM's professional education beyond production and planning into the movement and delivery of goods.
Professional certification
CTSC
The Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain program focuses on changing and upgrading supply-chain capabilities. Its content draws on the ASCM SCOR Digital Standard, enterprise sustainability standards, and the Digital Capabilities Model, linking transformation work with structured industry frameworks.
Professional education
Supply Chain Certificate Programs
ASCM offers focused certificates in areas including procurement, warehousing, planning, technology, supply-chain resilience, and supplier relationship management. These programs are intended to provide targeted learning for professionals at different experience levels and may include self-paced training and modular subject coverage.
Standards and framework · 1996
Supply Chain Operations Reference model
The SCOR model originated with the Supply Chain Council and became part of the APICS and ASCM portfolio following the 2014 merger. It provides a common way to describe and analyze supply-chain processes. Its process architecture developed from Plan, Source, Make, and Deliver to include Return and Enable, supporting benchmarking, process design, and improvement.
Reference publication
Supply Chain Dictionary
The Supply Chain Dictionary is a terminology reference published by ASCM. The supplied material identifies a 17th edition containing 5,328 terms and definitions, including newly compiled terminology. It supports consistent language for education, professional communication, and supply-chain practice.
Brand decisions
2018
Rebrand from APICS to ASCMStrategyBackground
The APICS name was strongly associated with production and inventory control, while the organization's activities had expanded to cover integrated supply chains, logistics, standards, digital capabilities, and transformation.
Action taken
The organization adopted the name Association for Supply Chain Management and retained APICS as a brand for important credentials and programs.
Aftermath
The ASCM identity positioned the organization as a broader end-to-end supply-chain authority while preserving continuity with its established APICS qualifications.
2015
Combination with the American Society of Transportation and LogisticsM&ABackground
The organization continued expanding from production and inventory control into the wider supply-chain and logistics profession.
Action taken
APICS merged with the American Society of Transportation and Logistics.
Aftermath
The merger strengthened the organization's transportation and logistics coverage and supported its broader end-to-end positioning.
2014
Merger with the Supply Chain CouncilM&ABackground
APICS sought to broaden its educational and professional role by incorporating an organization known for supply-chain standards and the SCOR process framework.
Action taken
APICS merged with the Supply Chain Council on August 5, 2014.
Aftermath
The combination added SCOR-related process language and standards capabilities to APICS's certification, education, and networking activities.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/association-for-supply-chain-management · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled