May 9-11, 2023 | Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach, California
Join the conversation #FVLNA
May 9-11, 2023 | Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach, California
COLLABORATING ON CAPACITY, QUALITY AND A CHANGING NETWORK
Join the conversation #FVLNA
May 9-11, 2023 | Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach, California
COLLABORATING ON CAPACITY, QUALITY AND A CHANGING NETWORK
Join the conversation #FVLNA
The North American vehicle logistics market has never been so volatile and disrupted– but neither has it been so dynamic and rich with opportunity.
There is no silver bullet to address chronic inventory and capacity shortages, poor visibility or high costs. No OEM can, on its own, secure the service levels needed across complex delivery networks. And no single logistics provider can invest in the equipment or people necessary to keep up with new requirements, such as carrying more heavy electric vehicles and meeting zero-emission targets. There is no ‘going it alone’ when it comes to outbound logistics capacity and network management.
That is why the 2023 Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference, which returns May 9-11 at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, California, is so focused on driving collaboration across the sector. It will cover the most important issues for vehicle logistics through a programme of hard-hitting panels and sessions, interactive workshops and innovator showcases.
The event will bring together more than 350 experts from OEMs, carriers, logistics service providers, railways, shipping and port providers, policymakers, equipment, IT, repair and insurance specialist and other stakeholders to work together on the issues that matter most to North America’s vehicle logistics.
We hope you can join us for the 13th annual Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2023 to share ideas, benchmark and work together on addressing today’s serious capacity challenges and ensuring the industry’s full potential is realised for the future.
2022 Highlights
Confirmed Speakers
Be Informed and Inspired by Leaders and Innovators
Nick Thompson
Head of Vehicle Logistics – North America
Stellantis
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Nick Thompson is responsible for overseeing vehicle distribution activities at Stellantis within North America, including regional logistics across mode, along with vehicle imports and exports. He took on the role with then FCA in 2017 and has played a key role in developing the carmaker’s vehicle logistics strategy. Thompson joined the carmaker in 2012 and has held various roles within finished vehicle logistics. Initially, he oversaw operations for vehicle distribution centres as well as multiple assembly plants in the region. He also completed a rotation in truckload procurement and network optimisation, as well as working in Supplier Delivery Risk Management operations prior to leading vehicle logistics. Thompson began his career working for JB Hunt Transport in its dedicated contract services division. He holds a master’s degree from Ferris State University (2011) and a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University (2005).
Rory Hepner
Director Global Vehicle Logistics and Customs
Mercedes-Benz USA
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Rory has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Juniata College and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University. She began her career with MBUSA in 1991 and has held many positions there, including corporate counsel, field operations, national network development, and sales operations. In her current role, she is responsible for the finished vehicle logistics for all MB vehicles distributed in the USA and all export vehicles produced by MBUSI in Vance, Alabama. In addition, she is responsible both import and export customs operations on behalf of MBUSA.
Anthony Clevio
Director of Global Outbound Logistics
General Motors
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Anthony Clevio took over responsibility for GM’s vehicle logistics operations in May 2022, where he leads logistics and distribution across all transport modes from factory to dealer, including vehicle exports and imports. He has more than 20 years’ experience in supply chain management, logistics and purchasing at consulting and logistics firm, with GM since 2006. At GM he has held roles in vehicle logistics, vehicle order management, inbound and material logistics before moving into direct material and commodity purchasing in 2018, gaining more experience across the value chain and total enterprise cost decisions. Clevio has a BA in supply chain management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Wayne State University.
Benjamin Pohl
Team Lead – Vehicle Shipping Quality, Claims and Load Testing Analyst
Ford
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Benjamin Pohl has been with Ford Motor Company for over 12 years, recently accepting the position of Team Lead within the North American vehicle logistics division. He is responsible for overseeing all the operations related to damage claims, shipment quality, transportation damage, and testing of all future model products, focused on improving quality, modernizing the business, leveraging emerging technologies, and improving the end customers’ experience. Over the last 4 years he has become Ford’s subject-matter-expert on car hauling and rail conveyance along with other modes of vehicle shipping. Previously, Benjamin focused on inbound logistics and manufacturing, leading a small team that delivered defect-free bills of material for various vehicles from prototype builds to final production. When he isn’t working, he enjoys cooking, travelling and spending time with friends and family.
JS Bolton
Director of Finished Vehicle Logistics and Supply Chain Systems and Strategy
Nissan
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Jennifer Sarah (JS) Bolton leads finished vehicle logistics for Nissan in North America, along with leading supply chain systems and strategy. She’s been at Nissan since 2013 in roles of increasing responsibility in both manufacturing and supply chain at the carmaker’s Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi plants. Immediately prior to her current role, she was director of body and stamping in Mississippi, where she led the Canton team through the launch of the all-new Frontier. Prior to coming to Nissan, JS worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley in New York and Hong Kong, specialising in advising transportation and logistics companies, as well at a truck aerodynamics start-up in San Francisco, ATDynamics. She holds a BA in History and Mechanical Engineering from Yale, an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and an MS in civil engineering from MIT, where she was a Leaders for Global Operations fellow.
Chris Styles
Vice President, Supply Chain Management, North America
Nissan
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Chris Styles is vice president, supply chain management, North America. He was appointed to this position in March 2021. In this role, Styles is responsible for overseeing supply chain activities for all production parts and finished vehicle distribution in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Previously, Styles was senior director of supply chain logistics, Nissan U.S., where he was responsible for finished vehicle and inbound production parts logistics, supplier packaging engineering and logistics strategy for the U.S, Canada, and Mexico.
Styles has worked as director of logistics for the U.S. and Canada in Nissan's supply chain management organization, director of purchasing for Nissan's Mexico operations, as well as director of purchasing for logistics and aftermarket and accessory parts for the Americas region.
Styles joined Nissan in 2002. Prior to joining Nissan, Styles held logistics management positions in auto parts retail and third party automotive logistics companies in the U.S. and Mexico.
Styles holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Anu Goel
Executive Vice-President, Group After Sales & Services
Volkswagen Group of America
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Anu and the parts logistics team are responsible for the total supply chain management of service parts for Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), including product definition, cataloging, procurement, materials management, quality, dealer support, warehousing and transportation. Along with the vehicle logistics team, he is also responsible for activities (including port operations) supporting the distribution of finished vehicles in the US. Prior to working with Volkswagen, Anu spent over three years with Case New Holland (Fiat Group), most recently as as Vice-President, North and South American Parts Operations; and 23 years with Ford, where he served most recently as Director, Global Parts Supply and Logistics.
Defining Tracks for 2023
The 13th annual Finished Vehicle Logistics North America event will feature expanded sessions, workshops and speakers in these critical areas:
Capacity management
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On the road, the rails, at ports and at sea – OEMs and logistics providers are facing constraints in transport drivers, workers, equipment and space, which is impacting costs and lead times. With plants working overtime to replenish low vehicle inventories, and with new plants and distribution locations emerging, the industry needs to work together to find solutions to ensure demand and customer expectations are met. The conference will explore the right investment, tools and smart network design to improve capacity utilisation and effective planning even in volatile times.
Digital networks
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In a supply chain constrained with shortages, transparency of vehicle orders and delivery milestones are critical information, with OEMs and logistics providers using this data to react and make better network decisions. Data visualisation, demand sensing and tracking tools, meanwhile, also have the potential to help make vehicle logistics networks more predictive. This year’s event will showcase innovations and disruptors ready to bring outbound digitalisation and visibility to new levels.
Quality innovation
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With lead times already lengthened, no OEMs wants to delay delivery further because of vehicle damage. Nevertheless, limited capacity and more extreme weather risks more quality issues, while logistics and insurance specialists must account for new risks from electrification and new vehicle technology. Finished Vehicle Logistics North America will explore proactive measures that the industry can take to protect vehicles and avoid damage, to reduce insurance risk and to digitalise damage tracking and reporting.
Electric vehicle logistics
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EV volumes and investments in the US are charging higher, and OEMs and logistics providers need real answers and practical solutions to how they are going to manage the clear challenges, notably the higher weights and lower payloads for truck delivery. This year’s conference explores the impact rising EV volumes will have on transport and storage, and what needs to be done in equipment investment, policy changes and lobbying, as well as training and adapting workforces.
Journey to zero emission
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To meet long-term sustainability targets for the supply chain, there must be real investment and collaboration in vehicle logistics. Zero emissions will require transitional technology over the coming decades, from alternative fuels for ocean and truck transport, to coordinated investment across the public and private sector in equipment such as electric car carrier trucks and infrastructure. Finished Vehicle Logistics North America won’t just look to a distant future but explore the regulations impacting logistics today and specific projects leading the way in reducing emissions.
The hunt for talent
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North American vehicle logistics remains short of drivers and workers across logistics modes and needs specific focus across the industry on making these jobs more attractive, including improving pay, working conditions and safety. At the same time, the industry needs to attract the most dynamic, disruptive and diverse set of workers and skills across operations and management, from analysts, to network engineering to software coders. Talent and labour will be a major focus for the conference, and it will bring together leaders and innovators across the supply chain to improve recruitment and retention in the sector.
Connect with Automotive Leaders
Previous Representatives
President & Chief Executive Officer · Chief Strategy Officer · Chief Operations Officer · Chief Technology Officer · Vice President, Aftersales & Vehicle Logistics · Senior Vice President, Logistics · Vice President, Supply Chain · Vice President, Finished Vehicle Logistics · Director, Production · Director, Purchasing · Director, Global Customs & Trade Compliance · Finished Vehicle Operations · Port Director · Import Export Manager
2022 Conference Sessions
Watch: What the new inventory paradigm means for vehicle logistics
Watch: Outbound in torrid times
Watch: Getting the network back in gear
Watch: Vehicle logistics is driving production decisions at Nissan North America
Watch: Reducing time to market at the touch of a button
Watch: How to drive away vehicle logistics emissions
Watch: Vehicle logistics for a new era of build-to-order
Watch: Equipping vehicle logistics networks for EVs
Watch: How to up the processing power at vehicle distribution centres
Watch: The Great Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Quiz
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2023 Partners
