2024 Conference Programme


Disrupting the status quo | Raising performance through innovation, flexibility and partnerships


PRE-CONFERENCE

DAY 1

DAY 2

PRE-CONFERENCE: TUESDAY MAY 21ST

Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Golf Day


The 14th Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference swings into action at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, CA. Whether you’re there to compete for prizes, spend time with colleagues, make new business connections or simply experience one of Southern California’s most scenic courses, the FVLNA golf day promises a perfect blend of friendly competition, networking and fun.


18:00 - 21:00 PDT

Welcome Drinks Reception


Feel the buzz as the sector’s leaders and experts come together once again on the eve of the conference. The welcome cocktail provides a great opportunity to make new connections, catch up with old friends and start discussing the key trends, issues and opportunities shaping vehicle logistics. Dress code – business casual

Hosted by


Jack Cooper (600)

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY MAY 22ND

08:00 PDT - 60 mins

Conference open for registration, networking and refreshments



09:00 PDT - 15 mins

Main Stage: Welcome to Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2024



09:15 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: Disrupting the status quo


Hear how vehicle logistics needs to be re-imagined and why manufacturers and logistics providers must disrupt the status quo to raise the network’s performance



SPEAKER

Paul Rosen
Paul Roosen, Vehicle Logistics Planning Manager, North American Vehicle Logistics, Ford Motor Company

The vehicle supply chain in North America has been whipped into a perfect storm in recent years. Long-standing issues such as driver and labour shortages, underinvestment and a lack of visibility combined with logistics capacity shortages, reduced services levels and increased fragmentation, all of which further contributed to volatile, variable production. These operational challenges are more pronounced as the industry moves towards a greener, digital and electric future.

However, the pace of change in the industry is fast, but by no means certain and monolithic. The pace of electrification is fast, but varied and in some markets uncertain. Logistics capacity shortages have been pronounced, especially for certain rail and port services, but continues to evolve across the network.

From business models to equipment, processes to technology, footprint to network design, the vehicle supply chain needs to be redesigned and updated to avoid becoming outdated, with carmakers and logistics providers falling behind customer expectations – and new competition.

In the opening session of FVLNA 2024, hear from leading carmakers how vehicle logistics needs to be re-imagined and why manufacturers and logistics providers must disrupt the status quo, and be innovative with strategies and solutions, create dynamic operations, ensure quality is maintained and drive untapped value from long-term partnerships to raise the network’s performance.


10:00 PDT - 30 mins

Main Stage: A new approach for Volkswagen Group’s vehicle logistics


Discover the strategic transformation of Volkswagen Group’s vehicle supply chain that secures capacity, boosts regional planning, and prioritizes market needs for unprecedented efficiency and flexibility



SPEAKER

Anu  Goel
Anu Goel, Executive Vice-President, Group After Sales & Service, Volkswagen Group of America

In 2023, the Volkswagen Group’s vehicle logistics team in North America recognised a need for change. The models and methods that had served the industry for decades were no longer fit for purpose and were under-delivering on network availability, fulfilment rates, service levels and lengthening lead-times.

In this unique session, hear how Volkswagen Group of America is re-imagining its North American vehicle supply chain and how the outbound logistics team have implemented new strategies and tactics to secure capacity, improve regional network planning, increase flexibility and enable market and customer prioritisation to better serve the business. Learn about new approaches to securing and managing rail capacity, being flexible with car haul volumes, managing volumes across the US and Mexico, as well as further enhancing port and terminal networks.


10:30 PDT - 45 mins

Networking, meetings and exhibition


Grab a bite to eat and take a walk around the exhibition hall to make new connections or future business partners and to catch up with colleagues and friends.


11:15 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: North American vehicle sales and production outlook


Hear expert analysis and insight on the market drivers, disruptors, economic and geo-political factors shaping the forecasts for North American vehicle production and sales



SPEAKER

Manzi,-Patrick
Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist, National Automobile Dealers Association

Carmakers across the region are uniting in their call for partners and providers to invest in new equipment, more capacity and high-performance services, making the need to understand and plan for the current and future market trends, disruptions and opportunities all the more important. In this session, leading market analysts will detail North America’s short, medium and long term production and sales volumes, and offer insight on new and used vehicle sales prices, inventory levels, ICE and EV volumes, online sales and economic trends that will shape the automotive sector in the years to come.

12:00 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: Border breakthroughs: Redesigning Mexico’s vehicle logistics to improve the North American network


Mexico’s strategic importance is growing, with OEMs increasing production and export volume, along with fast-rising vehicle imports from new and established players. A shortage of ro-ro shipping, port capacity, vehicle storage and shipping bottlenecks through the Panama Canal and the West Coast, challenges in rail and inland services, along with disruption along the US-Mexico border, are contributing to a perfect storm that is impacting the entire North American vehicle logistics network.



SPEAKERS

RAUL GAMBOA
Raúl Gamboa, Head of Logistics, Production Control and Production Systems, BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí
Steven Jernigan
Steve Jernigan, Senior Director, Supply Chain Management, Nissan North America

In this session hear how manufacturers, such as Nissan, are taking extraordinary measures to keep finished vehicles flowing in and out of Mexico, including through major network redesigns, chartering ocean carriers and seeking alternative routes by truck and containers. Understand how OEMs are working with carriers, ports and railroads to secure capacity, reduce dwell times and increase throughput velocity in the immediacy and plan for growth and stability in the long run. 


12:45 PDT - 75 mins

Lunch & networking



Hosted by
FreightVerifyLogowithTM_Stacked


14:00 PDT - 60 mins

Finished Vehicle Logistics Ideas Labs


The Finished Vehicle Logistics Ideas Labs are solutions-orientated working groups that provide an invaluable opportunity to interact and work directly with key industry peers on the real-life issues that matter most to you. Facilitated by subject-matter experts, each Ideas Lab is an open discussion that addresses challenges head on.

Ideas Lab: Making the most of improved visibility


Interactive workshop addressing key challenges, opportunities and technology for improving visibility across the vehicle supply chain and how best to utilise it.

Ideas Lab: Streamlining cross-border logistics


Interactive workshop addressing key challenges, opportunities and strategies for improving international vehicle flows, particularly between Mexico, US and Canada.

Ideas Lab: Raising standards of damage limitation and quality management


Interactive workshop addressing key challenges, opportunities and strategies for improving quality management and damage limitation

Ideas Lab: Decongesting the network


Interactive workshop addressing key challenges, opportunities and strategies for reducing congestion at railheads, ports and VDCs


15:00 PDT - 45 mins

Networking & refreshments


Grab a bite to eat and take a walk around the exhibition hall to make new connections or future business partners and to catch up with colleagues and friends.


15:45 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: Vehicle logistics innovation showcase


Hear from the newest and most exciting start-ups and established players revolutionizing the automotive logistics and supply chain sector with a series of lighting pitches

Crises breeds innovation, and just as well in today’s highly complex, disrupted and volatile landscape. The Vehicle Logistics Innovation Showcase will highlight a selection of the newest and most exciting game-changing technologies and innovative services and solutions supporting the industry navigate today’s headwinds and tomorrow’s complexities.


16:30 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: Dynamic network planning


Discover the latest innovative tactics and strategies helping to mitigate capacity constraints an create more dynamic and flexible networks

Over the past few years, vehicle logistics sector had never been more strained and under pressure to perform, facing network imbalances in rail and shipping, along with ongoing labour and equipment shortages. Whilst the situation has stabilised in certain areas, and new vessel and trucking capacity is on the horizon, today’s vehicle logistics professionals and providers must be prepared to face an increasingly volatile network. The industry needs more creative, more dynamic and more open-minded solutions to mitigate the critical network capacity constraints, lower order fulfilment and reduced velocity of rail services, bottlenecks at ports and railheads, and to combat an ever-growing unpredictability of events like extreme weathers, border crossing closures and labour crises.

From quality management processes to driver apps, expanding dealer delivery times to alternative transport modes, cars in containers to dedicated charters, our expert panel of solutions providers and carmakers will share and discuss how their organisations are resetting the mindset, challenging the status quo and implementing creative solutions to mitigate the capacity crunch and keep the vehicle logistics network flowing.


17:15 - 21:00 PDT

Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Gala Reception


An opportunity to exchange business cards and views on the day’s highlights and key discussion points whilst enjoying fantastic food and refreshing beverages in a spectacular setting. Continue your conversations with a refreshing drink and delicious food as the Californian sun sets on the opening day of the conference.


Dress code - Business Casual

DAY 2: THURSDAY MAY 23RD

08:30 PDT - 30 mins

Conference open for registration, networking and refreshments


Re-group and re-fuel for day two with some early morning refreshments, and kick start the conversation with new-found colleagues and connections.


09:00 PDT - 15 mins

Main Stage: Essential Intelligence: Autohauler regulatory and legislative update


Hear the latest regulatory and legislative issues and developments, including the CARS Act, Federal excise tax policies, safety requirements and more, impacting the motor vehicle and heavy-duty truck transporter sector.



SPEAKER

Mike Matousek
Mike Matousek, Director of the Automobile Carriers Conference, American Trucking Associations

Equip yourself with the latest intelligence and knowledge surrounding the government policies and industry advocacy activities shaping the present day and future motor vehicle and heavy-duty truck transporter sector. In this session, Mike Matousek, Director of the Automobile Carriers Conference of the American Trucking Associations will explain how associations, like the ATA, are bridging the gap between industry and government and will provide key updates and insight on important matters relating to vehicle weight limits, load capacity, warning flag waivers, and federal excise tax on new equipment.


09:15 PDT - 40 mins

Main Stage: Vehicle quality under inspection – investing in damage prevention


Explore how carmakers and logistics providers are prioritising quality standards and investing in technology and new processes to minimise damage and repair times



SPEAKER

Anthony Buttler
Anthony Butler, Director of Product - Logistics, Cognosos

Over the past year, fierce competition for logistics capacity along with increased transit times for shipping and rail services had forced many carmakers across North America to take measures that increased handling and potential for damage, including using temporary storage capacity, adopting new solutions including cars in containers, and different modes of transport and equipment not always optimised for vehicle logistics. Such measures, taken at fast pace, have in some cases impacted quality levels and increased damage rates.

Join this session to understand how carmakers, logistics providers and damage and repair specialists are putting more focus on quality standards, innovating by using technology to mitigate damage issues, and to design networks for reduced vehicle handling. Learn more about the steps they are taking to prioritise the level of quality standards as the network begins to flow more freely.


09:55 PDT - 35 mins

Main Stage: Delivering Net Zero


Identify the greener solutions and longer-term strategies to reduce emissions and decarbonise the vehicle supply chain

The path to net zero emissions is long, complex and expensive but federal and state governments, along with transport regulators are imposing stricter environmental targets. Customers, meanwhile, are expecting more and more sustainable processes, too. That means carmakers, infrastructure operators and logistics providers must collaborate, invest and identify methods to advance their missions to decarbonise the vehicle supply chain. Carmakers and logistics providers must collaborate and innovate to find short-term solutions and develop long-term strategies and roadmaps.

In this session, experts and leaders will discuss green investments in alternative fuels and new equipment across ocean and road transport, renewable energy and electrification at ports and processing centres, utilising multi-modal strategies and maximising the rail network’s low emission credentials and more.


10:30 PDT - 30 mins

Networking & refreshments


11:00 PDT – 45 mins

Main Stage: Data-led logistics


Dive into the forefront of innovation as industry experts explore the transformative power of digitalizing vehicle logistics processes and the latest technology applications optimising vehicle logistics


SPEAKER

Daniel Gosson (1)
Daniel Gosson, Director, Manufacturing Logistics, INFORM North America

At a time when near-instant solutions are required, the growing importance of and opportunities to digitalise vehicle logistics processes and operations has never been higher. From streamlining inventory to vehicle tracking to improving production pipeline and sales visibility, data and digital platforms are helping logistics leaders and providers ease congestion and maximise the network’s capacity and ability to deliver. Join this session to hear industry experts and technology specialists are delving into the groundbreaking capabilities and innovative tools providing end-to-end transparency of the supply chain and data in real-time, and understand the real-world applications enabling North America’s carmakers to speed up decision making and operate increasingly dynamic networks.


11:45 PDT - 45 mins

Main Stage: New look network


Learn how emerging production hubs, evolving import and export patterns and intense bottlenecks across the supply chain are forcing carmakers and logistics providers to re-imagine network design and logistics flows

North America’s long-term production footprint is evolving with new manufacturing hubs in the US emerging and Mexico in particular growing in strategic importance, shifting the longer-term trade lane requirements of new and established OEMs. At the same time, a rise in imports from key markets – including from Asia – is putting more capacity constraints and bottlenecks at ports, railheads and border crossings. These changes are forcing carmakers to redesign their immediate supply chains.

Join this session to understand how carmakers are taking a holistic approach to network design to ease congestions and create extra capacity and are working with new and existing logistics partners to keep the vehicles moving via new flows and alternative transport modes.


12:30 PDT - 60 mins

Lunch & networking



Hosted by
FreightVerifyLogowithTM_Stacked


13:00 PDT - 60 mins

Main Stage: Raising performance excellence amidst transformation


Be part of the discussion to learn and share how logistics and supply chain leaders are balancing intensifying immediate demands, including costs, capacity and market volatility whilst architecting a sustainable, technologically advanced and efficient future

The industry is at a critical juncture, undergoing profound change and disruption in equal measure, and today’s logistics leaders face the ultimate challenge of raising performance levels and controlling rising costs and demands, whilst forging new strategies and technology-powered organisations to align with the industry’s transformation and far-horizon targets.

The stakes have never been higher with the need for investment in equipment, talent and future proof technology immediate, alongside the real risk of falling behind if the foundations for electrification and decarbonised supply chains are not yet in place.

The final session of FVLNA will be a dynamic exchange in a creative format, encouraging debate and discussion between our guest speakers and audience members, exploring how logistics leaders are turning planning and collaboration into action and success, maximising innovation, flexibility and partnerships to raise performance levels across their teams and network, whilst also defining the strategies that will serve the future needs of the market.