2023 Conference Programme

The pandemic, semiconductor crisis and economic volatility of recent years have pushed automotive supply chains to the limit, with resulting shortages in parts and capacity, and reduced investment in logistics equipment and infrastructure hindering manufacturers’ ability to produce and move parts and vehicles and service customers. In response, manufacturers and governments are seeking more control across the supply chain, with ambitious strategies to increase regionalisation and accelerate the transition to sustainable, electric and digital mobility. As a result, carmakers are shaping new partnerships across suppliers and logistics providers, creating integral, strategic links across the automotive supply chain.

In this opening session, hear how strategic approaches to supply chain management are evolving, how carmakers are redefining partnerships and expectations of their suppliers and providers, and how they are rebuilding confidence amongst partners, even as uncertainly and market volatility remain, to secure long-term success.

After years of reacting to disruption and multiple crises, automotive logistics experts are now stepping up efforts, together with C-suite leaders to regain control, stability and security across the supply chain, and ensure the North American automotive industry meets the standards it needs to compete in efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction, especially as it manages transitions to electrification and sustainability.

Logistics leaders and experts from across the value chain discuss strategies for resilient and innovative operations, and how collectively and collaboratively North American automotive logistics manufacturers and providers can become forward thinking across transport planning, digitalisation, capacity investment and stronger partnerships for a more robust supply chain and network.

Addressing diversity, equality and inclusivity has fast become a fundamental pillar for companies of all sizes and across all sectors. As a truly global industry, automotive manufacturing and its supply chains have the opportunity to lead this change and positively impact millions of lives around the world. This shift can also deliver improvements in supply chain performance, not least as the sector requires new talents and skillsets, new thinking and leadership for the transition to sustainable, connected and electrified mobility solutions.

In this session, hear how individual logistics leaders and forward-thinking automotive manufacturers and providers are taking meaningful action to raise awareness within their own organisations and across their value chain, and develop and implement best practises to create welcoming environments where all individuals can be celebrated and supported to achieve success.

The rapid digital transformation of automotive products, supply chain tools and production processes are paving the way for a connected and efficient future but as technology and services in vehicles increases, automotive manufacturers are facing an increasingly complex software supply chain along with new attack vectors, increasing their exposure to cyber security breaches that can threaten the entire enterprise.

In this session, leading experts address the need to prioritise cyber security and invest in preventative measures to eliminate threats and vulnerabilities for supply chain as the digital ecosystem continues to expand and evolve.

Following years of production disruptions and delivery delays, automotive manufacturers and service providers are accelerating the path to more connected, transparent and predictive supply chains. In this session our panel of supply chain and technology experts explore the technology and process to digitalise the supply chain, from real-time tracking and control towers, network optimisation to artificial intelligence, sharing real-world case studies and discussing the potential of the metaverse for supply chain.

Whilst automotive product portfolios transform, becoming more environmentally friendly and eventually carbon neutral, that path to net zero for transport and logistics will take time, as there is no immediate path to scaling up zero emission road, truck, rail or air freight. If manufacturers and logistics providers don’t work together closely, new supply chain and manufacturing requirements, including for EV and battery production, could lead to increases in transport emissions, material and packaging waste. That is why manufacturers are so focused on implementing long-term strategies to achieve more sustainable logistics and packaging.

In this session, understand how carmakers, suppliers and key stakeholders are investing in sustainable transport, material and packaging solutions, working closely with providers and suppliers to reduce emissions through alternative fuels and multimodal strategies, and developing more advanced recycling processes and partnerships to accelerate the decarbonisation of the supply chain.

Daily firefighting comes as standard for logistics and supply chain practitioners in today’s environment, with line stoppages always just one supplier failure or one missed shipment away, but logistics leaders must separate themselves from the noise to develop the strategies and steer their organisations in a direction that will enable them to thrive in the longer-term. The development, retention and recruitment of talent is a fundamental aspect, ensuring that existing employees have the tools and skills they need to succeed, whilst preparing the next generation of leaders and team members to thrive in the years to come.

In this final session, logistics leaders will share their views on the key forces and trends shaping their strategies and approaches to investments and partnership with suppliers and providers, and how their organisations are investing in people, upskilling existing employees for the digital age, and connecting with gen-z zoomers to attract and develop the future specialists and leaders of the industry.