2026 AGENDA

As global logistics and automotive supply chains face geopolitical, trade and market disruption, this session will explore the state of capacity for international and cross-border logistics, and how carriers, logistics providers and automotive manufacturers can match capacity to demand and service:

• Insight into international ocean, air and road freight capacity relevant for automotive supply chains
• How manufacturers and logistics providers are adapting to changing and disrupted trade lanes
• Service and network innovations to improve delivery performance, from consolidating freight to changing packaging and returnable container models
• Strategies to reduce cost, emissions and waste in global logistics

Hear how OEMs, vehicle logistics experts and technology partners are adapting vehicle logistics networks, capacity and processes through:

• Moving beyond cost-per-unit metrics toward holistic network performance
• Strengthening partnerships to scale capacity, visibility and execution
• Adapting network design to shifting demand, sales channels and lead times
• Solutions to address capacity issues across road, rail and ports 
• Strategies to mitigate and reduce theft and other risks across the network

Explore how OEMs and aftersales logistics specialists are evolving service parts networks through:

• Optimising inventory across multi-echelon distribution networks
• Improving fill rates and delivery performance
• Designing efficient distribution centre and transport strategies
• Leveraging data to improve forecasting and replenishment

Gain insights into how automotive manufacturers are working with 3PLs and freight forwarding partners to adapt logistics speed, quality and capacity at the right cost and service:

• How manufacturers and providers are pivoting across transport modes and networks globally and in North America
• Leveraging data and AI to target and optimise logistics capacity
• Network engineering and optimisation
• Cost and performance implications across non-asset and asset-light partnerships

Hear how OEMs, carriers and technology partners are improving quality outcomes through:

• Preventing damage across rail, truck, port and yard operations
• Using digital tools to enhance inspections and claims processes
• Applying data analytics to identify root causes faster
• Working to align vehicle and equipment standards to help reduce damage and improve efficiency

Discover how manufacturers and logistics providers are implementing automation, including:

• Identifying the right use cases across parts logistics, packaging and distribution operations
• Integrating AGVs, robotics and yard automation into live environments
• Balancing ROI, scalability and operational flexibility
• Lessons learned from deployment across global networks

Hear from OEMs, suppliers and logistics partners on improving end-to-end synchronisation, including:

• Enhancing visibility from order capture through to final delivery
• Connecting demand planning, production scheduling and logistics execution
• Moving from local optimisation to enterprise-wide decision-making
• Using shared data to anticipate disruption and respond faster

Explore the real-world approaches automotive aftersales leaders are using to reshape parts and service operations to reflect customer needs even in the face of changing customer expectations, new opportunities in technology and AI, and logistics capacity challenges, including:

• Enhancing visibility and access to data across the supply chain on customer, supply and logistics through improved asset tracking, digital tools and planning systems from supplier plants, through parts distribution centres, crossdocks and dealers  
• Recalibrating transport modes and network design to balance speed and availability with cost, reliability and fill rates
• Optimising regional warehousing footprints to reduce lead times, unnecessary movements and damage  
• Transforming working culture and fostering cross‑functional collaboration between supply chain, IT and dealer stakeholders to ensure digitalisation and AI keep customer needs in mind and achieve common objectives

Discover how OEMs and providers are advancing packaging equipment and strategies through:

• Designing packaging upfront with logistics and line-side delivery in mind
• Leveraging returnable packaging and container management systems
• Integrating packaging into early product and supply chain design
• Exploring different returnable container ownership and management models

As digitalisation moves beyond dashboards to decision-making impact, understand how supply chain and technology leaders are enabling greater control through:

• Integrating planning, transport and execution data into unified platforms
• Building digital control towers for end-to-end visibility of materials, packaging and vehicles
• Breaking down siloes across OEMs, suppliers and logistics providers
• Leveraging real-time, AI-driven digital twins to enable faster, scenario-based decision-making

As theft, trespassing, organised criminal activity, and facility disruptions continue to impact automotive logistics operations, the true cost often extends far beyond the value of stolen assets. Bringing together experts in physical security and digital intelligence, the discussion will explore how physical solutions, market intelligence, real-time analytics, risk assessment and technology are enabling faster, more proactive decisions to strengthen resilience and protect throughput.

Leading security experts will explore:

• Current North American automotive cargo theft and facility intrusion trends, emerging risk indicators, and evolving criminal methodologies
• The hidden operational costs of disruption across inventory accuracy, freight flow, claims, insurance and customer satisfaction
• How to use market intelligence, real-time analytics and security software to identify theft hotspots, improve situational awareness and support proactive risk management
• Building resilience through layered physical security, process improvement, route planning, driver discipline, and technology-enabled prevention
• Security as a strategic contributor to supply chain performance, protecting assets, people, and operational continuity

Trade and compliance complexity has significantly increased. But as manufacturers better understand, develop tools and standards to manage these, they can gain better visibility, establish streamlined practices and ultimate reshape supply chain and logistics design.

This session explores strategies for managing risk, ensuring compliance and building resilient cross-border operations.

Hear from policy experts and trade specialists on manufacturers and logistics providers must adapt to new trade realities, including:

• Managing tariffs, USMCA and customs complexity
• Strengthening compliance and cross-border capabilities
• Reconfiguring networks in response to trade shifts
• Balancing global efficiency with regional resilience