The College of Management was proud to host its second MBA Case Competition on Friday, December 12, 2014. Seven groups of students from Dr. Shahram Taj’s capstone class, Global Strategic Management (MBA 6073), analyzed the current situation and future opportunities for CEMEX, a Mexican cement company that has become a major competitor in many countries such as US, Spain, Philippine, Indonesia, Egypt, and Latin America, in front of 5 distinguished judges. The student presentations were based on the Case Study, “The Globalization of CEMEX”.

Among the judges were, Mark Phillips, co-Founder of Vertabase Project Management Software and President of Standpipe Manager, author of Reinventing Communication; Lori Kuehn, Associate Director, Global Enabling Analytics at General Motors; Roberto Bortolan, Business Development Manager – Magneti Marelli (FCA Group); and Pouya Seifzadeh, PhD, Assistant Professor in Strategy, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus.

CEMEX is a Mexican company that has become a major international competitor in cement while maintaining a higher level of profitability than other, longer-established competitors. In 1990, CEMEX faced trade sanctions in US and by the end of 1999, it operated cement plants in 15 countries, owned production/distribution facilities in 30 countries and traded cements in more than 60 countries.

The competition was fierce, but the winners were announced later that day.

The $400 First Place prize was awarded to Adam Crafard, Damon Royster, and Daniel Russ.

The Second Place was awarded to Ayman Alkafarneh, Aram Manoogian, Kashyap Shah, and Christopher deLaFe.

The Third Place was awarded to David Baker, Willie Pendergrass, and Chih-Yu Shen.

The other students who participated were Christopher Aichler, Noah Cavitt, Douglas Rutter, Shondell Daniel, Abhishek Singh, Termikia Thomas, NaTonya Tumblin, Jack Cosey, Wessam Mansour, Paul McDaniel, Alhor Madan, Tynisha McGee, and Grant Wenzinger.

Following the luncheon and awards ceremony President Moudgil spoke about the Case Competition and how it distinguishes LTU students from other universities to be able to interpret and think of a solution as well as present in front of a highly successful panel allowing students to experience the Practical Model of Theory and Practice.