2023 Conference Programme

At a time when vehicle logistics capacity and drivers are in short supply, vehicle distribution suffers even more from misaligned scheduling and vehicle releases from plants, and inaccuracy in shipping and processing times at ports and compounds. However, supply chain disruption has accelerated the push for OEMs and logistics providers to improve ETA accuracy and planning at every delivery milestone, while shifts to online delivery, distribution and agency models put even more emphasis on new paradigms in vehicle logistics.

Join this session to hear more about opportunities and innovations in improving milestone accuracy, from assembly plant to truck and rail, from vessel to port processing, from distribution centres to dealers and customers. OEMs including Volvo Cars and logistics providers will discuss improving visibility of the vehicle delivery process and creating timely and accurate ETA notifications for logistics partners and final customers. They will discuss how visibility, communication and partnership in outbound logistics will develop to meet the needs of new and changing distribution models.

Component shortages and logistics disruptions have accelerated investment from automotive leaders in improving visibility, connectivity and planning to protect their supply chains. But where does this technology and focus fit into a wider roadmap of fully digitalised, highly predictive automotive logistics? What are the key priorities and goals for leaders looking to the future, as they introduce new systems and still maintain a human-centred approach?

In this session, hear more about the tools, processes, organisational and cultural changes needed to future proof supply chains for the changes and crises of the future from pioneers in automotive logistics. In a keynote from Renault Group’s top supply chain executive, Jean-François Salles, discusses the OEM’s digital strategy, and how seamless data links across customers, suppliers and logistics providers can help create more efficient and sustainable digital ecosystems.

A panel of experts will join the discussion to explore the technology, challenges and priorities in achieving connected, predictable supply chains, from real-time tracking, control towers, artificial intelligence to the potential of the metaverse for supply chain. Don’t miss this chance to learn and debate the future of automotive logistics.

In the face of volatile supply and transport capacity shortages, any mismatches between production forecasts, supplier call-offs, or releases to logistics providers can quickly lead to production slowdowns, distribution delays or wasted resources. That is one reason why OEMs and suppliers are more focused on the systems, communication and processes that allow them to better align their manufacturing, supply chain network and partners to changing demands, and in line with key customer and business targets.

In this session, learn more about how manufacturers, logistics and technology partners are gaining greater control and efficiency of the end-to-end supply chain, including closing siloes between functions such as operations planning, inbound logistics and vehicle distribution. Experts from supply chain organisations at major automotive manufacturers will discuss their strategies to better front-loading logistics, implement supply and operations planning (S&OP) in decision making, and ensure that production and transport schedules are synced with key partners across road, rail and sea.

Hear from the latest logistics disruptors and innovators. A select group of start-ups will pitch their business plans in a 4-slide/4-questions format that gives attendees the chance to discover the next automotive logistics unicorn…

Automotive OEMs and suppliers in Europe are striving for greater connectivity, predictability and automation in their transport and internal logistics processes to remain competitive and more resilient. Achieving this efficiency depends not only on selecting the right technology and tools, but close planning with manufacturing plants, better visibility of upstream suppliers and the right logistics partners.

In this session, experts will discuss practical ways to achieve smarter logistics at both OEM and tier-1 levels, including affordable technology to improve visibility, control tower solutions and opportunities for increased automation in logistics and material flow in warehouses and plants. The session will also highlight how stakeholders can better work together to understand and plan operations, whether between OEM and tier-1 suppliers, or manufacturers and logistics providers. Learn how to plan smart, streamlined logistics to help keep European manufacturing and exports stay competitive.

The latest insights, analysis and outlook on the global container and ro-ro market. Understand how global capacity, port labour, emissions regulation and weather patterns are impacting lead times, rates and service across deep sea, short-sea and inland shipping.

Rising costs and pressure in the supply chain have underlined the importance of increasing efficiency in logistics, especially packaging and network fill rates. In many cases, the difference between planned utilisation and the actual level is the equivalent of many more containers and trucks. That is why manufacturers and logistics providers are putting more focus on engineering and allocating the right packaging assets early in programme planning, and in tracking freight consolidation across the supply chain.

In this session, logistics and packaging experts will discuss objectives and innovations for improving overall packaging and network utilisation, including in container and rack management, tracking and visibility, early logistics planning and partnership opportunities.

In the face of transport capacity shortage, visibility is becoming the most important currency in European vehicle logistics, with data at the heart of a transparent network and critical to utilising full capacity and avoiding wasteful backhauls and improving ETAs.

In this session, learn more about the tools and innovations that OEMs and logistics providers are implementing to improve real-time tracking, from vehicle telematics to better planning and communication systems across the supply chain and with LSPs, so that they can better meet customer expectations. Understand how digital planning and capacity systems are also helping OEMs and mobility players to make a seamless transition to new business and distribution models, including online sales, direct deliveries and subscription services.

Volatile markets and supply continue to make production, logistics and distribution planning more challenging than ever. To meet the expectations of all stakeholders – from plants to dealerships and vehicle owners – manufacturers, suppliers and logistics providers have had to adapt transport and inventory strategies faster than ever, and prioritise key material and capacity.

However, logistics leaders are increasingly focused on the tools, processes and organisation that they need to create supply chains that are as resilient and integrated as they are flexible. In this session, learn about the technology and partnerships that are helping the European automotive industry go with the flow, and understand how carmakers such as Jaguar Land Rover are undergoing cultural transformations to better align and improve visibility between supply chain divisions, enable efficient prioritisation of parts across production and service parts, maximise capacity across trade lanes and create more agile operations to meet enterprise and customer needs.

To close the 20th Automotive Logistics Europe conference, our panel of automotive leaders, including veteran and up-and-coming innovators, assess two decades of transformation and progress in logistics and supply chain, and outline their visions and plans to drive their organisations forward, and identify the key trends, issues and opportunities that will shape the sector over the next 20 years.