Auto Logistics Industry Meets to Plan Way Forward After a Tumultuous Year

DETROIT, Michigan, September 8 -- Key executives from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are meeting this month at the Automotive Logistics Global Conference to plan the way forward after a tumultuous year within the industry.

They include: Susanna Webber, executive director of global logistics for General Motors; Frederiek Toney, now vice president of customer services, and until last week executive director for supply chain and parts logistics at Ford; Toney's replacement as head of Ford's global logistics, Steve Harley; Peter Weiss, director of worldwide transportation at Chrysler. Dennis Manns, vice president for logistics at American Honda; Denny Lewis, manager of logistics planning for Toyota North America; and Mike Steck, vice president of supply chain management for Nissan North America.

Commenting on the conference, Toney said: "What it does for the industry is unsurpassed as far as these events go." He added: "It is an important time to network, benchmark, and learn how others are managing the current business climate."

Further perspectives will come from Joe Hinrichs, Ford's group vice president for global manufacturing and labor affairs. He will be the keynote speaker at the business dinner held on the middle evening of the event.

The conference is the 10th annual meeting of the major players in automotive supply chain and logistics, and will be held in Dearborn from 28-30 September. It includes formal presentations and questions but also, crucially, the opportunity for networking and informal discussions, which many delegates find are just as important as the open sessions. Making contacts is facilitated by an introductory cocktail reception, networking breaks and working lunches.

Cross-industry attendance is ensured by the presence of major LSPs, transportation companies, ports & terminals, and support services including IT and vehicle protection. Companies include Ryder, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, i2 Technologies, WGI Manufacturing, Amports, Union Pacific and many others.

"This conference is the best event of the year for everyone," said Tom Ryder, senior vice president at Ryder. "It will be the best networking opportunity you will have all year," echoed Tony Humphreys, director of corporate logistics for EMEA at Delphi.

The Automotive Logistics Global conference has both a North American and an international perspective. For example, probably the most senior figure in automotive logistics in India, MM Singh of Maruti Suzuki, will be speaking, as will executives from Asia Pacific, Russia and Europe.

Topics on the formal conference agenda will range from changed patterns of supply chain to the development of the electric car and government presence in America's industry, to the true effect of globalisation in today's financial climate. There will also be workshops and break-out sessions on specific subjects like packaging, software and service parts.

Sponsors of Automotive Logistics Global Conference are: Premier sponsor Ryder; Gold sponsors i2 and WGI Manufacturing; Global sponsor Wallenius Wilhelmsen; Silver sponsors Amports, Autoport, Hybrid International Transport, Solnet, Sunderland City Council, Union Pacific Distribution Services and Vascor.

More information and register to attend at http://www.automotivelogisticsglobal.com To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Automotive Logistics Global Conference, the delegate fee is the same as for the first event ten years ago.

Notes to Editors:

Automotive Logistics conferences are held worldwide - see the full range at http://www.automotivelogisticsconferences.com/

Automotive Logistics magazine http://www.automotivelogisticsmagazine.com is the only global print publication covering the logistics sector of automotive. It circulates worldwide to senior executives at car-makers, tier one suppliers and service providers. There is a free weekly news service by email/web, with registrations through the website.

Every issue also includes Finished Vehicle Logistics magazine http://www.fvlmagazine.com, which is unique in its coverage in print of the outbound sector.

All these activities are published by Ultima Media Ltd, a provider of information and media in print, online and at events which is dedicated to the global business-to-business automotive sector. http://www.ultimamedia.com

    
    Contacts:

    Julia King, Marketing Manager: Julia.king@ultimamedia.com  
    +44(0)208-987-0902

    Louis Yiakoumi, Conference Director: louis.yiakoumi@ultimamedia.com  
    +44(0)208-987-0944  

    Chris Ludwig, Editor: chris.ludwig@ultimamedia.com   
    +44(0)208-987-0968

Contacts: Julia King, Marketing Manager: Julia.king@ultimamedia.com, +44(0)208-987-0902; Louis Yiakoumi, Conference Director: louis.yiakoumi@ultimamedia.com, +44(0)208-987-0944; Chris Ludwig, Editor: chris.ludwig@ultimamedia.com, +44(0)208-987-0968