Key Automakers and Suppliers Join Together For First Annual Global Growth Opportunities and Strategies Conference
13 October 1997
Key Automakers and Suppliers Join Together For First Annual Global Growth Opportunities and Strategies Conference
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 13 -- Decision-makers from domestic
automakers and the supplier community will come together to discuss
"Automotive Global Growth Opportunities and Strategies," at a conference to be
held on Thursday, October 23, 1997, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency
in Dearborn, Michigan. Advanced registration is $175 for members of the
Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE) and $200 for non-members, and includes a
continental breakfast and lunch.
Following is a list of keynote speakers in the morning plenary session:
James W. Wynalek, vice president - Exterior Systems Div. at Visteon Automotive
Systems, an enterprise of Ford Motor Company, who'll discuss "The Global
Challenge;" Mike Plumley, Dana Corporation group vice president, who'll speak
on "Competing in a Global Environment;" Jon Huntsman, Jr., vice-chairman,
Huntsman Chemical Corp., who'll discuss "Entrepreneurship and the Challenge of
Global Business;" Eric Frywald, sales, materials and development director,
DuPont Automotive, who'll present "The Impact of Globalization on Custom
Molders of Plastic Parts;" Drew Winter, executive editor, Ward's Auto World,
who'll discuss "The Quick and the Dead -- The Coming Global Showdown;" Mike
Flynn, associate director, University of Michigan's Office for the Study of
Automotive Transportation (OSAT) who'll present, "The Global Auto Industry:
Paradigm Shifts, Threats and Opportunities;" and George Perry, CEO, Siemens
Automotive, who'll present "Automotive Electronics and Plastics: A World of
Opportunity."
Afternoon breakout sessions focused on opportunities and strategies for
growth in specific regions -- Europe, China and Brazil -- will be held from
1-5 p.m. Speakers include:
European Market
Session moderator Thomas Rowland, marketing director, I.A.C., will
discuss, "An Alternate Market Entry Strategy;" Bill Frederiksen, executive
v.p., Magna Interior Systems - Trim Panels, who'll present, "Fair Enterprise
Goes Global;" Gil Pezza, international director, Michigan Jobs Commission
who'll discuss, "How to Use Your Tax Dollars to Enter the European Market;"
Jim Carter, corporate partner, Ernst and Young Inc., who'll speak on "Global
Expansion: A Value-Oriented Approach to M&A;" Luc DeBrouckere, president,
International Business Management, who'll provide an overview on "Strategic
Positioning in Europe for the 21st Century;" and Bob Eller, president, Eller &
Associates, who'll present, "Globalization Effects in the European Automotive
Interior Plastics Supply Industry."
China Session
Steve Shnell, former managing director, General Motors Corporation -
Shanghai will present "China's Automotive Industry: Growth and Risk;" Keith
Siopes, emerging market manager, GE Automotive will discuss, "Working Together
to Develop the Auto Industry in China;" Ron Marconi, international manager,
Delphi Harrison, will review "China: Automotive Strategies;" Yang Baoshi,
counsel, Chinese Consulate, will discuss "China's Economic Environment;" Wally
Tsuha, CEO, Saturn Electronics, will present, "Five Painful Lessons in
Starting a Business in China;" Henry C. Yu, Comerica - Asia-Pacific will
present, "China's Banking System and Foreign Exchange Market;" also speaking
are Dr. Bradley Farnsworth, director of international business, University of
Michigan and Eric Carlson, senior account manager, DuPont Automotive.
Brazil Session
Donna Parolini, president of International Business Development Corp. will
serve as moderator and will discuss, "Automotive Supplier Structure in South
America;" and Alberto Lanza, senior marketing manager, DuPont Automotive, will
present, "Automotive Business Opportunities in Brazil." Also speaking are D.
Oscar Groomes, president, GE Plastics - S. America; Gary Carrington,
automotive director, Coopers & Lybrand; Dan Latimer, Comerica - Latin America;
Rich Christiansen, director of future operations, General Motors Corp. - Small
Car Group; Paco Paratore, sales manager - Latin America, Allied Signal Inc.
This first-ever annual event is sponsored by the Society of Plastic
Engineers (SPE), the SMC Automotive Alliance (SMCAA) and the Michigan Jobs
Commission.
SOURCE SMC Automotive Alliance