Join leaders from BMW, VW, Audi, and more at ALSC Digital Strategies Europe 2024 in Munich, where experts will discuss digital solutions for sustainable, resilient and co-creative supply chains.
3rd December
Digital applications are only as good as the data on which they are based
After some workshop brainstorming on a range of subjects that included AI applications, supply chain mapping, data security in sustainability and building digital twins, delegates ALSC Digital Strategies Europe gathered to summarise their findings.
John Torres, lead data scientist at Mercedes-Benz, said there was no shortage of challenges in the sector that AI could help solve but even that took a better shared understanding of where the tool itself needed improvement. There needs to be more data of a better standard that is better structured and better governed, according to Torres.
One of the important things to consider when applying AI tools in the automotive supply chain is the value they have for a company’s business. “It’s super important that we are not using AI just for the sake of it but that we actually understand the value behind it,” said Torres. “Is it actually solving a problem or is it there just because of the hype?”
Managing expectations and having sponsorship to develop AI tools over time is also important, something Mercedes-Benz has achieved in starting small and being able to work up through different iterations of its forecasting system. Data governance is important and a company needs to be clear on who is responsible for that data and how it is shared to avoid costly and time-wasting duplication. Who it is shared with is also important and that needs to be democratic, involving those responsible for the direction of the business. “If you can have a clear governance framework you make sure that your data is created once, cleaned once and then consumed by everyone.”
Data management is also crucial to supply chain mapping and JLR’s director of supply chain digital and innovation, Simon Inskip, summarised his team’s workshop in three main themes.
Data needs to be shared in a way that everyone is comfortable with and that again relies on a shared understanding, trust and a degree of impartiality. Inskip summed up the basic approach: “When I ask you for a piece of data, do you know what I mean? Are you willing to share it? And if you do share it, do I trust that you’ve given me accurate data?” He said Catena-X can hopefully provide the trust and impartiality needed.
With reliable data gathered it is also important to know what technology can make best use of it. “In JLR alone we’ve mapped 180,000 points of our supply chain and if I want to do something meaningful with that, I need something more than a couple of spreadsheets,” he said. Looking at different technologies for the retrieval and application of gathered data is important, according to Inskip’s workshop group.
The impact of the technology on businesses depends on alignment on goals, methods and standards, and that required actually doing some meaningful with the sharing of data on a specific but large enough scale so that the learning from it can be shared for everyone’s benefit, according to Inskip. From there it can refined and scaled.
Infineon’s director of supply chain management, Soroush Nakhaie, led a workshop on how digital tools could help drive sustainability in the supply chain but found that data security was actually holding that back. Decarbonising the supply chain requires cooperation but sharing data on carbon expenditure remains a big hurdle. Sustainability is being driven by regulation, which affects the obligation to disclose information. “Is it just an annual report on CO2 or is it really the obligation that the whole value chain exchanges information with each other and we know what CO2 a product from cradle to grave is actually creating?” questioned Nakhaie.
Nakhaie also pointed to the insight that can be gained and implemented from the workforce and how important simple measures such as cutting large megabyte email attachments can actually mean for reducing electricity expenditure and cutting CO2.
Finally, Dr Tobias Engel led a workshop on the value of digital twin technology in the supply chain. He said that digital twin technology is part of the industrial metaverse and its functionality was in being able to plan the supply chain based on what can be simulated and then control and monitor the processes during operations.
Digital twins enable collaboration regardless of physical space and like a multiplayer game it is possible for an OEM to bring a supplier or logistics provider into the same digital space to look at a particular problem. Engel took the example of transport disruption. “You can see [together] if this is a ship or an airplane, and what is going on, is it a hurricane, is it a tornado? If it is a traffic jam, have you lost a container? This is the capability of digital twins and the industrial metaverse – you’re able to manage the real world,” he said.
Good master data and central storage are important for a company, as is having control of one’s own data. Engel said that with a digital twin of the supply chain a company can secure material supply, foresee any environmental issues, measure transport emissions and see exactly where a product is in the supply chain, all guaranteeing better customer service. “There are a lot of options with the digital twin and we’re only at the beginning of the journey,” said Engel.
3rd December
Networking break and exhibition visit
After a couple of insightful presentations and panel sessions, we will be breaking onto our second coffee break for further networking and an exhibition hub visit where suppliers have set up stalls for delegates to experience! We will be back with a set of workshops on AI in supply chain and logistics, Tier-N supply chain, digitalisation in sustainability goals and digital supply chain twins with Mercedes-Benz AG, JLR, Autoliv, Infineon Technologies, University of Applied Sciences and University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm.
We will end the conference with a networking drinks reception with fellow attendees as we look forward to day two.
3rd December
Dancing to the same tune in the sharing of supply chain data
Following close on the heels of today’s AI discussion, Frank Göller, took to the stage to outline the progress of the Catena-X data-sharing platform. Göller is head of strategy and portfolio management, digitalisation production/logistics at Audi. He is also vice-president of internationalisation at Catena-X and there has been significant progress in internationalisation since the data platform was established in Germany in 2021.
Companies in Europe, the US, China and Japan now have an understanding of what Catena-X can do to make manufacturing logistics processes more efficient and resilient through shared global standards for cross-border data exchange. That is no small feat and Göller admitted it is “a complex beast to understand” but making it a reality that lives as an organisation of data across the supply chain is even more tricky. The secret to a more efficient automotive supply chain relies on more small-to-medium-sized companies directly participating in it. Catena-X currently has 192 participating companies and over 6,000 community members worldwide but it has a target of getting 1,000 companies directly involved in data exchange by the end of next year.
That is important when considering how important supply chain transparency is in quicky identifying potential disruption to inbound parts and material flow, which Catena-X is designed to do. “We all know the semiconductor crisis, and we all know the hiccups with missing parts in the supply chain flow to production,” said Göller. “Catena-X is addressing this.”
However, shared data is also important for addressing future regulatory requirements, such as product carbon footprint tracking, battery passports, circular economy regulations and textiles. “It’s not only automotive… if you’re producing products you should think about how to fulfil the requirements of a product passport,” said Göller, adding that Catena-X was a ‘snowplough’ clearing the road ahead for other industries. “We have made an analysis that up to one billion data points have to be collected and reported in the year 2030 to fulfil forthcoming regulatory requirements.”
Göller said that Catena-X was set up to make the supply chain more efficient and effective by driving faster feedback loops between OEMs and suppliers to the tier-n level and smoothing the delivery of products to assembly. “We know that if we can react quicker, we can solve problems and be much faster in the throughput time,” he said. That relies on collaboration on the exchange of data and an open sharing of relevant capacity and demand data to improve the lean flow of parts.
Catana-X is not simply a data lake or a cloud, according to Göller, it is a data space that is based on collaboration, trusted services and interaction between the partners from across the supply chain; and it promises to cut costs. Those can be manufacturing and logistic savings by avoiding stoppages or hiccups in ramp up curves. It can herald cost saving by fulfilling regulatory requirements and avoiding fines for not doing so. And it can bring savings accrued through joint services, such as those related to master services with suppliers and using the golden record everyone wants to have.
“We can exchange data and there is no kind of hierarchy,” said Göller. “We are dancing together and choosing the music together.”
3rd December
The role of control towers in digitalising the supply chain
Alex Rotenberg, vice-president, industry practices at Kinaxis joins a panel discussion with Seat’s Lerma and Díaz, and BMW’s Richter, to discuss the role of control towers and human-AI collaboration.
The discussion is exploring the evolution of control towers, which serve as centralised platforms for managing supply chain data and workflows. Rotenberg describes a journey from “self-healing” supply chains that clean up data to “self-learning” systems that predict and resolve disruptions autonomously.
Seat’s control tower strategy aligns closely with this model, incorporating generative AI to simulate scenarios and enable real-time decision-making across a growing network of suppliers and plants.
While the panel celebrates AI’s transformative power, they also understand its limitations. Richter cautions that autonomous robots, factories and vehicles are not yet fully realised, and organisational challenges remain a significant barrier to broader adoption.
The consensus is clear: AI is a tool to empower, not replace, human intelligence. “AI creates new jobs that focus on maintaining, training, and optimising these technologies, enabling us to combine human expertise with machine efficiency,” Richter says.
3rd December
AI-powered automation in Seat’s supply chain
Alexandre Lerma, manager of logistics, customer driven supply chain, Seat and Jorge Miguel Corral Díaz, senior IT specialist, AI, data & hyperautomation, Seat have taken to the stage to discuss the role AI-powered automation plays at the OEM, integrating data-driven decision-making and generative AI into operational processes.
Seat’s digitalisation journey began with the creation of a unified data lake, using Snowflake on Azure, to consolidate siloed data across departments. This has enabled the company to enhance collaboration through federated working models, combining IT expertise with departmental data stewardship. Their low-code and no-code solutions, built on platforms such as Power BI and Vortex AI, empower employees to create efficient workflows and address logistical challenges.
Vortex AI, Seat’s proprietary generative AI tool, offers various tailored solutions. Unlike off-the-shelf tools, Vortex AI ensures data privacy and compliance with European regulations like the AI and Data Acts, according to Lerma and Díaz.
The strategy is underpinned by robust employee training, with learning paths designed to upskill staff in tools, data stewardship, and low-code development.
3rd December
AI and robotics transform supply chain at BMW
BMW’s head of next generation robotics, Carolin Richter, presents the company’s cutting-edge advancements in AI-powered automation and robotics. Central to her keynote is BMW’s collaboration with Figure AI, a robotics company advancing humanoid applications for industrial use.
Richter highlights BMW’s ambition to develop “intelligent robots” capable of performing manual tasks previously deemed too complex or costly to automate. She underscores the potential for humanoid robots to revolutionise labour-intensive processes, addressing workforce shortages in BMW’s production network.
The collaboration with Figure AI has already yielded significant milestones. Robots trained in Figure’s San Francisco lab are tackling tasks like metal part insertion at BMW’s Spartanburg plant. Initial trials showcased robots using AI to autonomously identify, manipulate and integrate components into production lines, offering flexibility and scalability.
Richter reveals plans to deploy these humanoids in active production settings by early 2025, overcoming challenges in safety, IT integration, and European AI regulatory compliance.
While logistics applications are still in early development, the potential to automate complex material handling and last-mile operations could bridge critical gaps in supply chain efficiency.
3rd December
Networking break
We are breaking for our first coffee break of the day where delegates and speakers will get to network and discuss the ongoing trends in digital strategies, supply chain and digitalisation.
We will be back for a session on AI-powered automation in supply chain and logistics with Carolin Richter, head of next-generation robotics at BMW Group, Alexandre Lerma, manager of logistics, customer-driven supply chain at SEAT, Jorge Miguel Corral Díaz, senior IT specialist – AI, data & hyper-automation at SEAT and Alex Rotenberg, VP, industry practices at Kinaxis.
Next, Frank Göller, head of strategy, portfolio management digitalisation production/logistics, AUDI and VP internationalisation at Catena-X e.V. will present a keynote from an exponent on the internationalisation of Catena-X, on how the organisation is developing partnerships, just in North America with AIAG, but also in China and Japan.
Stay tuned and come back for exclusive insights from the event.
3rd December
Diversity as a catalyst for automotive supply chain innovation
Now, we are joined by a panel discussing digital supply chain leaders and how a diversity of skills and talent can help accelerate a digital, more competitive future in Europe.
The panel (Juliana Raidt, head of data privacy and information security at Bosch; Harry Kwakye Davies, a senior global supply manager in the automotive industry; Trre Wong, senior manager, global supply chain digitalisation at Kautex Textron; and Saba Azizi, overseas service network & development manager at CATL) are sharing their personal journeys and actionable strategies to foster inclusion and equity in the automotive sector.
Retention strategies remain a focus for the panel. Davies says there needs to be a shift from mentorship to sponsorship, ensuring employees from underrepresented groups have the resources and visibility needed to thrive.
CATL’s Azizi says the power of visible diversity in leadership in important. “Young people lose motivation if they don’t see representation at the top,” she says, urging companies to focus on creating leadership pipelines for diverse talent.
Managing global teams with varying cultural norms poses challenges. Bosch’s Raidt highlights the importance of communication: “Leaders must create safe spaces where every team member feels valued and heard, regardless of background or seniority.”
Wong adds that digitial strategies can be used to improve diversity, saying that inclusivity extends to respecting different working styles and integrating digital tools to bridge gaps in digital literacy.
3rd December
Welcome to Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies Europe 2024!
We’re opening the conference in Munich with Christopher Ludwig, chief content officer, Automotive Logistics discussing trends in automotive supply chain systems and software.
Ludwig shared insights from the Automotive Logistics Software & Systems Survey, which he said highlights clear intent in the industry to invest in interoperability, digital strategy and AI and analytics.
“What we also found is that AI and predictive analytics is still a developing area,” he said. “A relatively low percentage actually are using it in any specific way right now, but the intent is very strong. So it’s a big opportunity area as we make these further investments.”
Download the full Automotive Logistics Software & Systems Survey report for free
2nd December
ALSC Digital Strategies Europe is only a day away!
Ahead of the event kicking off, we spoke to Aleksej Kruekov, general manager of overseas service, EMEA at CATL about the challenges in digitalising automotive logistics, including lack of truck interoperability, geopolitical restrictions, and operational silos that reduce efficiency, and how CATL is addressing these issues through transparency and investments in new technologies.
Kruekov will be taking to the stage on the second day of the conference (4th December) to discuss how collaboration can drive supply chain digitalisation.
For the full lineup of speakers on the agenda, visit here!
29th November
Paulina Chmielarz, digital and innovation director of Industrial Operations at JLR will be taking to the stage at ALSC Digital Strategies Europe next week to discuss how the carmaker’s ongoing transformation will enhance transparency and integrated planning, including creating master datasets that ensure supply chain and logistics stakeholders can interact with and influence key processes, including engineering, materials and vehicle launch.
She took to the Red Sofa at last year’s event to discuss ensuring the OEM’s teams are fully aligned with the same data sets.
Watch the full Red Sofa video here!
28th November
Frank Göller, head of digital strategy and portfolio management for production and logistics at Audi, and head of internationalisation at Catena-X, will be taking to the stage next week in Munich to discuss the future of data standards across boundaries and ensuring carmakers and suppliers can fully digitise their value chains.
Göller spoke to Automotive Logistics recently about how developing global standards for cross-border data exchange will make manufacturing logistics processes more efficient and resilient. He said that some companies are hesitant to share data, but that regulatory requirements coming into effect over the next three to five years could help ease concerns.
“Our analysis shows that over one billion data points have to be tracked, recorded and monitored for regulatory requirements up to the year 2030,” he said. “We have checked the different regulations in US, in China, in Japan – all around the world – and that means a really high amount of data tracking requirements by law.”
28th November
Welcome to the Automotive Logistics & Digital Strategies Europe 2024 countdown blog!
Before we land in Munich, Germany next week, we’ll be posting news and features related to the expert speakers who will take to the stage, so follow along here to ensure you don’t miss any insights!
From 3-4 December, we’ll be hearing from a range of speakers from the likes of BMW, VW, Catena-X and more.
Click here to view the full agenda!
Experts from VW, Audi, BMW, Catena-X, Toyota, JLR, Infineon, CATL, Mercedes-Benz, SEAT, Daimler Truck and more will gather on stage at this year’s Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies Europe, from 3-4 December in Munich, Germany.
The speakers will discuss how we can form a more co-creative, resilient and sustainable supply chain, providing insights into using the latest digital advancements to tackle uncertainty, volatility and cost pressures.
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