ALSC Europe 2025: Conference Day 1 wrap-up

After an insightful first day at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe, Automotive Logistics’ Chief Content Officer, Christopher Ludwig, took a moment before the exclusive Networking Dinner hosted by DB Schenker to reflect on the day’s key discussions.

Throughout Day 1, leaders from major OEMs, tier suppliers, and logistics providers tackled pressing supply chain challenges, focusing on proactive supply chain management, operational visibility, and sustainability.

We’ve heard from Jean-Marquis from Renault Group, who emphasised the shift toward dynamic supply chain engineering and the role of operational control towers in optimising logistics. Volkswagen Group highlighted its efforts to increase inventory visibility and expand port operations, with Peter Hörndlein detailing the group’s strategy to add a Mediterranean port to enhance capacity.

Sustainability emerged as a key focus, with Nadine Phillip from BMW Group outlining critical levers for reducing carbon emissions in the supply chain, particularly in EV battery logistics and circular supply chains. The discussions also explored innovations in automotive packaging, with insights from Renault and Cummins on enhancing circularity and tracking solutions.

As the day’s sessions wrapped up, Ludwig reflected on the common challenges shared by all industry players. “We are actually all in the same boat here to a certain extent—facing rising competition, pressure on costs. We have to work together” he noted, echoing a sentiment shared by Volkswagen Group’s Peter Hörndlein .

With discussions continuing into the evening on board the Networkong Dinner cruise along the River Rhine, ALSC Europe set the stage for further insights, collaboration, and strategies to strengthen and future-proof the European automotive supply chain.