Ernest Nsong Asiedu is transforming proven zero-failure principles from global manufacturing into innovative transportation solutions that save lives. An accomplished engineer, researcher, and educator, his career spans transportation safety, intelligent mobility systems, and global supply chain leadership.
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering at Auburn University, Alabama he integrates rigorous academic research with over a decade of transformative industry experience across Africa, Europe, and North America.
His expertise in driving efficient, zerofailure manufacturing processes across complex production networks now fuels his mission to enhance mobility and protect the most vulnerable road users. Committed to the principles of “Vision Zero,” he firmly believes that even a single fatality on our roads is one too many.
His research addresses urgent safety challenges in transportation. As part of a project sponsored by the United States federally funded National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) a highly competitive grant awarded to elite research teams, Asiedu contributes to a landmark project on pedestrian sight distance, developing evidence-based guidelines to improve roadway visibility and protect vulnerable road users. Concurrently, he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant on an Alabama Department of Transportation initiative focused on enhancing Rectangular RapidFlashing Beacons (RRFBs) to improve driver yielding behavior at crosswalks.
In recognition of his expertise, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), a program unit of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine appointed him to its Standing Committee on Freight Rail Transportation and Supply Chain Reliability (AR013) effective August 2025 through a highly competitive selection from academia, industry practitioners and professionals. In this role, he will contribute to shaping national freight policy and strengthening the resilience and efficiency of supply chain networks.
Before returning to academia, Asiedu held senior leadership roles in global supply chain operations with Fortune Global 500, Fortune 500 Europe corporations, as well as with CB Insights 150 most promising digital startups in the world.
He advanced supply chain planning strategies including Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning and Flow casting leveraging on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems including GLOBE SAP. At one point, he oversaw more than 8,000 product lines across a dozen countries and multiple production sites. His portfolio included fast-moving consumer goods in ambient and cold chain operations, as well as pharmaceuticals, ensuring the timely, cost-effective delivery of essential medications and equipment.
His strategic initiatives improved forecast accuracy, reduced inventory holdings, cut demurrage costs, and streamlined cross-border logistics, all while increasing customer satisfaction and keeping customer failures below 5%. He led lean operations projects that earned Six Sigma certification for optimizing supply networks, reducing lead times for critical products and spares.
As a supply chain planning leader, he advanced Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process maturity to “Advance” status as process owner, directed over 800 cycle meetings, embedded Excellence in Supply Chain best practices, and developed standard operating procedures to drive continuous improvement.
He also trained and mentored planners across multiple regions and partnered with procurement teams to secure alternative raw materials, reformulate products, and source commodities cost-effectively.
Asiedu’s academic achievements include first place in the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) America Student Essay Competition, the United States Southern District Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Graduate Student Paper Competition, and Auburn University’s Graduate Engineering Research Symposium.
He was also a finalist and runner-up in consecutive years at the TRB Student National Challenge on innovative traffic control devices premier competition connecting students, industry leaders, and regulators.
Serving as an engaged leader, he holds multiple positions at Transportation Research Board (TRB) Student Auburn University. He is the inaugural President of the National Challenge Award. California.
American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and the Vice President of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapters. Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Council of Engineering Graduate Students and a Senator for Civil and Environmental Engineering on the Graduate Student Council.
Deeply committed to education and STEM community engagement, he has served as a Judge for the Engineering Orientation Final Project at the undergraduate level and for the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, evaluating high school projects statewide.
Educated across three continents, Asiedu holds a Masters in Supply Chain Management from the United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Ghana, specializing in transportation and systems engineering.
From transforming global supply chains to advancing transportation safety, Ernest Nsong Asiedu bridges industry and academia, delivering innovative, human-centered solutions for safer, smarter, and more resilient mobility Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) World Congress, Georgia. Student Essay Competition systems worldwide.
He believes the key to innovation lies in continually seeking opportunities to connect and integrate diverse fields of study.
The post Ernest Nsong Asiedu: Advancing transportation safety and supply chain innovation on a global stage appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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