2010 CONFERENCE THEME:
The human factor: delivering flexible and efficient supply chains
If there's one lesson that came out of the traumas of North America's auto manufacturing sector, it's the need to be flexible.
Supply chains have been re-examined and inventory has been reduced. IT investment has re-started, albeit with shorter payback times, and the finished vehicle sector needs to add capacity - and quickly - if market growth is to be sustained.
The call today by OEMs is, above all, for flexibility. In the current climate, they can't easily forecast volumes and they certainly cannot forecast the price of gas, and what that does to the all-important (for automotive logistics at least) sales mix of vehicle sizes.
Flexibility is a human activity. It requires investment in the right assets, determined by humans, it means creating the right processes, conceived by humans, and responding to an urgent phone call, with human determination.
An attendee at a previous Automotive Logistics Global conference commented: 'Great logistics is delivered by great people.' The 2010 event, which is being held in Detroit in October, will address the challenge of delivering supply chains that are, of course, more efficient, but which above all are flexible.
Delegates at Automotive Logistics Global 2010 will:
- Hear great presentations from OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and LSPs on the current and predicted state of North American logistics
- Learn the forecast global context - flows from China, in-region sourcing, imports from Europe, and more
- Network with the senior executives across the industry
- Make new contacts, gain new introductions anddevelop new business opportunities
- Benefit from the interaction at social occasions, including the main conference dinner and an introductory cocktail reception (all included in the delegate fee)
Reserve your place at the most important meeting of automotive logistics professionals in North America this year and be a human factor in creating vital flexibility and efficiency in automotive supply chains.
OEMs and LSPs see light at end of tunnel
DEARBORN MI. 30 September 2009: The 10th Automotive Logistics Global conference concluded on a positive note, with more than 220 delegates from OEMs and LSPs hearing what they’ve been waiting to hear for more than 18 months: the US recession appears to be over and vehicle sales look set to increase. After a tumultuous year, there was never a more important time for logistics professionals to meet and listen to customers, competitors, suppliers and partners across North America. But while sales are starting to recover, there has been a permanent change to lock in the savings from lower inventory, said both Ford's manufacturing chief Joe Hinrichs and GM's logistics head Susanna Webber. | Sharing a platform: Webber, Weiss, Lowe with conference chairman Yiakoumi (left) |
And also a need to work even more closely together both inside and outside the OEM. Chrysler's manager for worldwide vehicle transportation, Steve Tripp, warned: 'If you [finished vehicle logistics providers] aren't close to our production schedules, then get very close to them."
The Autmotive Logistics Global conference gave OEMs and LSPs the chance to network, discuss future business opportunities and gain industry insights.
The conference included forums and workshops as well as presentations from industry leaders.
Presenting his global forecast, JD Power’s Jeff Schuster, executive director, said that US sales should surpass 10.4m this year, while 2010 should top 11m. It is a far different picture from the 13.2m seen in 2008 and the 16m in 2007, but JD Power expects the market to return to more 'normal' levels of 15m by 2012.
Production, however, will be more subdued, reaching 8.5m this year (from 12.5m in 2008 and 15m in 2007) as OEMs adjust to leaner vehicle and material inventory in an attempt to align closer to the market size, and import penetration grows.
Webber: permanent change (l-r) Knutilla, Ryder; Lewis, Toyota; Weiss, Chrysler Hinrichs: savings
As well as Joe Hinrichs, Ford's group vice president for global manufacturing and labour affairs, and Susanna Webber, executive director of global logistics for General Motors, speakers included:
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Steve Harley, who has replaced Frederiek Toney (now vice president of customer services at Ford) as executive director for supply chain and parts logistics;
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Peter Weiss, director of worldwide transportation at Chrysler;
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Dennis Manns, vice president for logistics at American Honda;
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Denny Lewis, manager of logistics planning for Toyota North America; and
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Mike Steck, vice president of supply chain management for Nissan North America.
The meeting brought together the most significant figures in North American automotive logistics, with frank discussions and essential insights, as our Editors report….