2022 Conference Programme

Hit hard by the pandemic, semiconductor and logistics shortages, Mexico’s carmakers have been working to stabilise logistics and manage greater flexibility across operations to protect production and help the sector to recover output and exports. More than ever, Mexico’s sustainable growth depends on transformation in logistics, including better visibility, strong partnerships, infrastructure improvements and smooth processes. Supply chain resiliency will also be essential to the Mexican automotive sector’s ability to adapt as the industry strives to deliver a sustainable future of mobility.

Join this session to understand how carmakers such as Volkswagen as well as logistics providers are improving logistics in Mexico to ensure the region remain a major competitive force in the North American and global industry. The session will explore logistics strategies and systems to optimise automotive supply chain and production across Mexico, including digitalisation, cross-border trade with the US, finished vehicle exports and distribution, rail links and short sea shipping opportunities.

With critical parts and inventories low, maintaining a reliable, secure flow of vehicles across Mexico and its borders is vital to the country’s automotive recovery and resurgence. But as outbound transport capacity becomes scarce across road, rail, ports and ocean, there is a risk that long lead times, rising cost and delays from damage and vandalism could compromise Mexico’s competitive advantage in the supply chain.

However, OEMs are working with logistics providers and infrastructure partners to improve transparency and resiliency and support longer term transformation across the supply chain as Mexico aims to decarbonise logistics, and as more OEMs get set to increase electric vehicle production and distribution.

Don’t miss the chance to understand how carmakers such as General Motors and logistics providers are working cross functionally and collaboratively with providers to mitigate bottlenecks and increase transparency in the face of today’s critical issues, while developing new outbound strategies for the future, for example:

• How logistics and technology providers are offering innovations and investments to secure outbound transport capacity and provide more safe storage

The digital age is here with new tools and technology enabling greater supply chain visibility, asset tracking and frictionless cross-border logistics at the touch of button. Understanding who the right partners are and which systems and platforms to invest in is critical for seamless integration into existing operations, securing a faster return on investment and future-proofing business models and strategies.

In this session, hear how logistics leaders in Mexico are prioritising, implementing and scaling digitalisation strategies to streamline customs transactions, enable decision making in real-time, harness data and automate logistics processes. Understand how manufacturers and logistics providers are working with IT and technology experts to understand the true potential of a more connected and digitised supply chain network.

Companies across Mexico share the long-term goal of decarbonising the supply chain and reducing the environmental footprint of logistics and manufacturing. Low-emission technology will play a key role, but for supply chain management experts there are also opportunities in optimisation processes, including data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. In this session, one of the country’s leading experts in logistics and supply chain management, Professor Mostafa Hajiaghaei-Keshteli from the prestigious university Tecnológico de Monterrey, provides insight into how industries across the country, including the automotive sector, are currently managing sustainable logistics targets, and the technology and processes they can use to develop smart, sustainable logistics.

Professor Hajiaghaei-Keshteli researches and collaborates with sectors across Mexico, including major carmakers, and is also the head of research for the university’s newly established Center of Sustainable Smart Logistics. Join this session for discussion on:
- Role of sustainable logistics in Mexico today across industries, including automotive
- Regulations and policies that will drive sustainable logistics requirements in Mexico
- Key optimisation processes and technologies to support sustainable logistics
- The impacts and changes for automotive logistics

As Mexico recovers from the pandemic and navigates supply chain shortages and disruption to trade, it must also embrace transformation and welcome a new era of mobility with electrification, digitalisation and sustainability crucial to Mexico maintaining its competitive edge and importance to North America and the global automotive industry.

In an exclusive keynote and fireside chat at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico, the Executive President of Mexico’s automotive association (AMIA), José Zozaya, outlines the direction Mexico’s automotive sector must take, and details how industry and government must work closely and invest in infrastructure and partnerships to accelerate the recovery of the semi-conductor supply chain and become a global leader in electromobility. The former President of Kansas City Southern de Mexico will also share his unique perspective and AMIA’s position on the critical issues the industry needs to address, including security, energy and international trade, as well as how Mexico can seize on new opportunities.

The global semi-conductor shortage stopped automotive production in its tracks and highlighted weak links in the supply chain and important risks to consider in the planning and network design process.

Case Study: How Nissan navigated the global chip shortage and improved the semi-conductor supply chain

Hear from Gerardo de la Torre Garcia, leader of Nissan Americas Semiconductor Supply Crisis Management Strategy on how the car marker developed strategies, secured material supply and managed global supply chain operations to maximise production opportunities in Mexico and worldwide and limit assembly line stoppages. Understand the key objections his team set out to achieve, the important lessons learnt and how they can help mitigate current and future logistics and supply chain challenges.

Panel: Hear as well from key logistics service providers and supply chain stakeholders on the strategies and tools enabling improved planning and visibility of the supply chain, and crucially how these can mitigate disruption when the next crises hits.