February 2-3 2021 | Online
ACCELERATING TRANSFORMATION & REDEFINING PARTNERSHIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Thank you for joining us!
This year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain North America Live conference revealed how a strong rebound in North American vehicle sales has taken the supply chain by surprise and exacerbated the misalignment in inbound supply and capacity caused by the Covid-19 shutdowns. Manufacturing is being hit by inbound parts shortages because of congestion at the ports and a lack of subcomponents, particularly semiconductors. Parts suppliers and vehicle manufacturers are working hard to meet demand despite these challenges but are doing so with a reduced labour force and under existing workplace safety protocols. As a consequence, inventory is not likely to start its gradual recovery until the end of 2021.
However, as automotive industry leaders revealed at this year’s conference, lessons learned from previous disruptions mean the automotive industry in North America is more agile and collaborative, something enhanced by the latest digital technology, more robust contingency planning and a talented workforce. Carmakers, suppliers and their logistics service providers have a range of new and different tools to help visualise the condition of the supply chain and react with speed and flexibility to mitigate risk. And as the finer details of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are ironed out, with a new administration in the US, the prospects for smoother trade both within the region and globally have improved. What this year’s conference also revealed is that there are positive steps being taken toward a more sustainable industry, both in terms of manufacturing and delivery, and in terms of the vehicles being delivered.
2021 Speakers
Be Informed and Inspired by Leaders and Innovators
Susanne Lehmann
Director Production North American Region
Volkswagen de México
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BIO
Since March 2019, Susanne Lehmann has been responsible for steering vehicle and component production for the Volkswagen brand across North America, including optimising synergies in processes, planning, production and digitlisation. She has been with Volkswagen for more than 20 years, and started her career in logistics planning at Volkswagen de México, before leading logistics planning at Shanghai Volkswagen and later key roles at Gläserne Manufaktur Dresden and ramping up VW’s US plant in Chattanooga. She has also led pre-series and technical change management at VW Commercial Vehicles, and was responsable for the definition and alignment of product concepts across VW Group Production for all brands from 2016-2019.
Adam Pieniazek
Senior Manager Logistics North America
Magna Powertrain
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BIO
Adam is responsible for the development and implementation of state-of-the-art logistics processes and activities across Magna Powertrain in North America, including optimizing material and information flows for products and components across the logistics network. He first joined Magna 15 years ago and has held a number of positions including Production Planner, Supervisor, Cycle Count Coordinator, SAP Warehouse/Shipping Lead, and Production Control Supervisor – Raw & Purchase Parts. Adam joined the MPT Corporate Purchasing Team in 2012 as Supply Chain Manager for US and Mexico plants. Most recently, he is the Logistics Manager – North America; US, Canada & Mexico. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the State University of New York – Oswego.
Howard Chang
Senior Manager, North American Vehicle Logistics and Port Operations
Porsche Cars North America
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BIO
TBC.
Greg Toornman
Vice President, Global Materials, Logistics, and Demand Planning
AGCO Corporation
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BIO
Greg is the Global Vice-President of Materials, Logistics, and Demand Planning at AGCO Corporation, a global manufacturer of farm equipment with revenues of over $9.0 billion (2019). He is responsible for AGCO´s global materials and logistics management across 41 assembly and manufacturing sites and leads the transformation of AGCO’s global materials, logistics and demand planning functions into an integrated and innovative global organization. Greg assumed his current role in 2012 after three successful transformational assignments within AGCO´s Global Purchasing organization in Brazil, Switzerland and the United States. Prior to joining AGCO in 2004, Greg held senior supply chain and operational roles with CIENA Corporation, PACCAR, Peregrine Nippondenso Corporation.
Lars Bäumann
Executive Advisor
Volkswagen Group
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BIO
Lars Bäumann recently played a lead role in defining and shaping digital strategies for corporate IT processes across global Volkswagen passenger car operations. He worked and lived in Germany, Slovak Republic and Mexico over the last 40 years and has held a variety of roles across the carmaker in areas IT and Operations. Lars also is a long-time member of Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL), the German Logistics Association, where he has helped oversee scientific logistics projects. Since he now lives again in Mexico he was appointed in 2020 as BVL Representative for Mexico.
Eva Ames
Director of Logistics
Mahindra Automotive North America
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BIO
Eva graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering and has been with Mahindra Automotive North America since 2015. Prior to joining Mahindra, Eva worked at Honda R&D, Tesla Motors, and the US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2021 Sponsors
INNOVATION PARTNER
NET ZERO CARBON PARTNER
Kuehne+Nagel has offset all CO2-equivalent emissions generated by event participants – including through energy, lighting and computer usage – through an investment in the Conservation Coast project in the Guatemalan Caribbean, the world’s largest grouped forest-based carbon programme. Your carbon offset helps to protect forests which are a critical migratory corridor for biodiversity between North and South America, as this small piece of land is home to as much as 10% of the world’s known bird species.
You can find out more information Net Zero Carbon programme here.
PANEL PARTNERS
THINK TANK PARTNER
Key Themes Discussed by Industry Leaders
Operational Excellence
Identify and capitalise on opportunities to optimise supply chains, mitigate risks with practical insights and solutions on supplier management, freight and network capacity constraints across transport modes, load optimisation and inventory management, driver shortages, cross-border flows and more.
Technology Driving the Recovery
Future proof your supply chain and enhance your systems and processes through new innovations and technology that can revolutionise the sector, support the recovery and rebuild the North American industry stronger than ever.
Embracing Transformation
Adapt and develop strategies and operations as North America undergoes seismic shifts such as the implementation of the new USMCA agreement, the growth of electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles, greener supply chain solutions and changes in consumer demands.
Redefining Partnerships
Understand the new dynamics of the supply chain and how OEM and tier suppliers’ production and logistics needs are changing, as well as the expectations that both traditional and start-up manufacturers have for logistics and technology service providers. Greater industry collaboration and stronger partnerships can accelerate the industry’s resurgence.
