Preparing for a paradigm shift with lean logistics
Editor's blog: What you need to know ahead of ALSC Global
We're at the 25th edition of Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global, where industry leaders will be discussing the new supply chain paradigm of creating stability in an era of uncertainty. Follow along for updates, standout quotes and our take on what matters most.
We're in Saint John's Resort in Michigan and we're gearing up for the 25th edition of ALSC Global, where supply chain and logistics leaders from OEMs, suppliers and tech partners will explore how resilience, digitalisation, packaging strategy, trade policy and innovation are shaping the future of automotive logistics.
What to expect over the coming days
One of the central threads running through ALSC Global this year is resilience in the face of volatility, as highlighted in the theme of this year's event: “The new supply chain paradigm: Creating stability in an era of uncertainty”. Marcio Lucon, executive director of global logistics and containers at GM, will set the tone with insights on the role that logistics is playing in the carmaker's strategic decision making and investments, including upstream logistics and packaging design, dynamic network engineering, vehicle logistics and service parts logistics requirements.
Packaging and design integration will also take centre stage, particularly in sessions focused on lean logistics, efficiency and sustainability. A keynote from Iván Dávila, director of inbound logistics, Supply Chain Management at Nissan will outline how packaging choices made early in product development can ripple downstream to affect cost, transport efficiency, and emissions. With further contributions from Brad Jorgenson, general manager of advanced planning for parts and packaging at Toyota, Alexander Burnett, director of inbound logistics and containers at GM, and Dr Ulrich Wieland, BMW’s vice-president of production control, logistics and material control, these sessions will show how packaging is becoming a lever for supply chain optimisation rather than an afterthought.
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Another big area of focus is digital strategies and visibility — the push to move from reactive logistics to predictive, data-driven operations. The session “Cars by number: Vehicle visibility from order to delivery” will examine how OEMs are pulling together transport, customs, and yard data to improve lead times and flexibility. Expect strong contributions from leaders like Amy Paulsen, GM’s director of finished vehicle logistics, and John Rich, manager of data analytics and AI programmes at Mazda, on how visibility tools can improve outbound performance. In parallel, sessions on scenario planning such as “Simulating supply chains: Combating unpredictability with collaboration and digital twins” will highlight how modelling and data can help anticipate disruptions and guide resilient planning.
And of course, trade, cross-border policy, tariffs and customs are also high on the agenda. As North America navigates changing agreements, regulatory shifts and localisation pressures, OEMs and logistics providers will discuss how to adapt strategy and compliance in real time. Sessions blending trade policy with digitalisation promise to reveal how companies are optimising cross-border flows, leveraging tariff exemptions, and redesigning networks to reduce exposure to fragile supply lines.
Finally, expect a strong emphasis on automation, human talent, and sustainability. Sessions will explore material flow, warehouse robotics, and parts handling alongside workforce development and leadership. Packaging and sustainability features prominently too, from Nissan’s keynote to Magna’s sessions on sustainable packaging. The message is clear: green logistics and smart design are being built into every layer of supply chain strategy.
If there is one theme that will emerge across all three days, it is that logistics is no longer a support function. As the likes of GM, Nissan, BMW, Toyota and others take to the stage, the coming days at ALSC Global will demonstrate how logistics is increasingly central to strategy, reshaping networks, tools and partnerships to meet a new era of challenges.
There's still time to register to attend ALSC Global, running from 23-25 September in Saint John's Resort, Michigan. View the agenda here, and register now here.
