Across many automotive plants, especially in North America and Europe, there is increasing pressure to streamline operations and integrate multiple products and variations – including different powertrains and components across ICE, electric and hybrid – into single facilities and even single assembly lines. That means production flexibility and agility have become key to optimising efficiency, productivity and reducing costs – and essential to ensuring a competitive and successful future for factories. This need for flexibility extends through the supply chain, in close coordination across suppliers and equipment providers. It requires strong collaboration across departments at manufacturers, from product design and engineering, through to finance, supply chain and manufacturing.
This AMS Livestream will explore how manufacturers are achieving great flexibility, more dynamic production and scaling operations to meet the complex and fast-changing requirements of the automotive market. It will show examples of automotive manufacturers and suppliers deploying digital tools to optimise current production lines for flexibility and futureproof planned facilities. Experts will discuss how to integrate these tools into human workforce operations in a way that benefits productivity, satisfaction and quality.
The livestream, in a preview of key themes and experts of the 2025 Automotive Manufacturing North America conference, which will be held October 22-23 in Dearborn, Michigan, will feature special discussions with leading experts. An exclusive interview with Dr Hanns Bernd Ketteler, who is responsible for operations across 12 manufacturing plants in North America for automotive supplier Robert Bosch, will explore how the company is improving manufacturing planning and integration across departments to realise greater efficiency.
Trent Randles, from supplier BorgWarner, will discuss how the supplier is transforming operations including adding battery pack production alongside transfer case assembly. He will discuss how to futureproof production through digitalisation, automation and integration with product engineering.
These guests will joined by other manufacturing leaders and AMS editors will examine strategies to support mixed-model manufacturing, minimise downtime, and adapt to evolving customer needs.
Key focus areas:
- Creating real-time visibility of operations to optimise flexibility in manufacturing
- Developing more efficient human machine interfaces to boost flexibility
- Scaling multi-platform/powertrain production with flexible processes
- Case studies from leading OEMs and suppliers
- Strengthening production through collaboration and integration with other departments
Speakers:
Ryan Treece
Global Business Development Manager - Data Platform & AI Solutions
ISA
Ryan Treece brings 15 years of experience in industrial automation and manufacturing to his role as the Chair of the Cloud & Edge Technical Committee for ISA’s Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division.
With an extensive background in machine vision, Industrial IoT Software, and sensor technologies, Ryan has been instrumental in driving technological innovation at industry-leading companies like Telit Cinterion, Keyence, Cognex, and Banner Engineering.
His expertise is centred on leveraging the latest technologies to create unique solutions addressing complex challenges in the manufacturing sector.
Dr Hanns Bernd Ketteler
Executive Vice President Operations
Bosch Mobility America
Dr Hanns Bernd Ketteler has led operations for Bosch Mobility Americas since January 2024, with responsibility for all mobility manufacturing sites in the Americas region, including 12 local production plants in North America. Dr Ketteler has spent nearly three decades supporting global programs and products spanning across the Mobility Solutions portfolio of Bosch, including plant management, as well as leading product divisions. Most recently, he served as a member of the global executive management team for the Automotive Steering division of Bosch.
Trent Randles
Engineering Manager - Transfer Case Assembly & Operational Excellence
BorgWarner
Trent Randles has worked for Automotive Tier-1 suppliers for the last 10 years including Plastic Omnium, Magna Seating and BorgWarner. Holding various engineering positions in operations, design, program launch and engineering leadership has given him a unique perspective of the manufacturing industry. Throughout his career he’s led multiple digital transformation initiatives involving Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, and Cyber-Physical Production Systems.
In his current role as Manufacturing Engineering Manager at BorgWarner, he continues to promote digital technology advancement through educating others, coaching his team, and developing key partnerships.
Nick Holt
Editor
AMS
With over 20 years experience covering the automotive industry, Nick is responsible for editorial across Automotive Manufacturing Solutions. He has gained wide experience in automotive production operations, visiting OEM and tier supplier factories in Europe, India, China and the US.
Christopher Ludwig
Chief Content Officer
AMS
Christopher Ludwig is chief content officer at UK-based Ultima Media, part of SWMH, where he is responsible for all editorial and content strategy and delivery across B2B automotive titles including Automotive Logistics (AL), Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), Car Design News (CDN), Automotive Logistics as well as business intelligence and analysis. Ludwig is responsible for developing leading information and growing expert audiences across events and publications for dedicated expert groups especially in the automotive industry, and is a frequent host and speaker at global industry events. He also supports and collaborates with the editorial teams across the Cluster Industry, Automotive and Events at SWMH, including Automobil Produktion. Christopher Ludwig has 20 years’ experience in journalism and media and has been covering the automotive industry since 2007. He has a Master of Science in Media and Communication from the London School of Economics.