2023 Conference Programme

We kick off our event with a look at the future of production. Advanced manufacturing engineering experts from GM will cover a brief history of digital twins and how they are developing for automotive production and other industries. The presentation will examine what makes up digital twins and how digital twins are maintained through the digital thread linking them back to the physical world. It will cover digital twins for full production, logistics and the ‘pie-in-the-sky’ industrial metaverse, including applications today for GM and others.

The opening keynote will demonstrate how manufacturers are adapting plants, systems and processes to build a mix of EVs and other powertrains, connected, software-defined vehicles all on the same production line. Our experts will share production strategies, systems and the skills needed to ensure that North American manufacturing remains competitive, sustainable and successful well into the EV evolution.

This keynote and panel session will explore how OEMs are transforming plants, adding new products and technology to production, training and recruiting talent, all whilst balancing existing production even as they expand facilities. Listen to a keynote on how Volkswagen Chattanooga is integrating production of the ID.4 and battery packs, while maintaining high-volume ICE production, and inspiring its workers to embrace change and a new manufacturing journey.

Hear from other experts on the huge opportunities to drive innovation, cost efficiency and automation in these plant upgrades, as this session will discuss key considerations, innovations, and continuous improvement with manufacturing leaders.

In our panel on optimising brownfield plants, hear about innovations in optimising automotive manufacturing, including:
• Adapting footprint and space to optimise production
• Advanced modelling and planning
• Automation and robotics opportunities
• Cost reduction and efficiencies, including across stamping, body, assembly and logistics

Hear from panellists:

Chris Glover, CEO, Volkswagen Chattanooga

Raj Kawlra, ex-Head of NA Stellantis Production Way Deployment, Stellantis (Retired) Manufacturing Consultant

In this analyst presentation, get the latest forecasts in light vehicle sales, production and powertrain across the US, Canada and Mexico, and the latest trends that will impact automotive manufacturing and supply chain investments and operations.

Learn more about the innovations and investments in technology and people to ensure that the next generation of vehicles is built in the most flexible, efficient and sustainable way. Hear from leading manufacturers on the breakthroughs they are making in production with help from data analytics and AI, and to ensure maximum energy reduction and sustainability.

With increasing OEM investment in North American vehicle production for next-generation vehicles, the industry has a unique chance to redefine manufacturing efficiency, processes, and competitiveness by launching new platforms and vehicles in greenfield, state-of-the-art plants. This clean slate approach enables innovative opportunities to enhance productivity, quality, time to market, and worker satisfaction throughout the manufacturing process.

Join this session to understand:
• Opportunities to engineer and design new flows across stamping, body, paint, assembly and logistics
• High value technology integration: automation, robotics, vision systems and other tools
• Cost saving and efficiency gains
• Sharing innovation: what greenfield innovations can be shared with brownfield plants?

As battery manufacturers and OEMs roll out new products and gigafactories in North America, the industry needs to work together to keep up with changing chemistries, develop local supply chains and scale production output.

Investment continues to surge in EV production and battery gigafactories across the US, Canada and Mexico, along with fast-moving innovation in battery cell chemistries and design. As OEMs and battery producers introduce new products and ramp up cell and pack production, the integration between battery cell engineering and development, and automotive manufacturing knowhow will become more important than ever. New battery cell designs are driving improvements in range and charging, as well as production and supply chain efficiencies, and battery experts need to work together with key suppliers and automotive OEMs for successful ramp ups, from setting up the right tooling and processes, managing fast changes, and developing a strong regional supply chain.

To succeed in the transformation to electric, connected and sustainable vehicles, there can be no silos across product and vehicle development and production. This session would explore how automotive manufacturers are collaborating in new ways to design and manufacturer next-generation products and technology, with integrated approaches and teams from design through to manufacturing engineering and on the shopfloor.

Join this session to understand:
• Collaboration and integration across product teams, from R&D through to manufacturing
• Digitalisation and tools to support collaboration
• Iterative planning and change management
• Optimising manufacturing and products in parallel
• Challenges to break silos; opportunities in the future

Evolving manufacturing to build more connected, electric vehicles is not just about changing the tooling, technology and takt times across factories, but also requires new skills and problem-solving techniques to manage increased complexity. Leaders at automotive OEMs and suppliers need to adapt how they train and recruit staff, as well as how they empower them to make improvements.

In this session, learn about new strategies for boosting productivity, retention and teamwork in automotive manufacturing. Hear from experts from OEMs such as Stellantis on how to tackle challenges posed by electrified and smart products through systematic problem-solving. Explore leadership's role in employee empowerment, along with attracting, retaining, and training diverse talent.

Join this session to understand:
• Talent and skills required for next-generation automotive innovation
• Strategies to streamline processes with systematic problem-solving
• Understanding how to drive innovation through strong leadership
• Training for quicker resolutions and enhanced development