Interview: Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) 2023

The motto of this year's Trends in Automotive Logistics conference is "Behind the Scenes at a Digital Factory". In an interview with Roman Žák, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and co-founder of the consulting firm Aimtec, we asked in more detail why Behind the Scenes is the theme of the 22nd TAL Conference and what challenges and developments will occupy the industry in the future.

What are currently the biggest challenges for supply chains?

Roman Žák: The current crises show the vulnerability of the previous closely networked global model. A suitable protection is to build resilience, to which the advancing digitalization makes a significant contribution. At the same time, there is a trend toward localizing resources and suppliers. This is something that not only companies but also governments and the entire EU are thinking about. Also of fundamental importance is the ability to be flexible and respond to further crises, which are currently difficult to predict. This is not only closely related to the resilience of systems, but also to the resilience of people. And it is precisely the ability to attract and retain the best and most resilient managers that can make all the difference. This is even more true for digitalization.

What can the conference participants take away?

Roman Žák: This year's program is so extensive that it is difficult to name a highlight. Nevertheless, I think that for the Czech participants David Strnad, Head of Brand Logistics at ŠKODA AUTO, will be the biggest draw and a special inspiration. Klaus Straub, who has gained a lot of experience, among others as ex CIO and Senior Vice President of Group IT at BMW Group, will certainly captivate all participants from Germany. Mr. Straub is a manager with extraordinary competence for IT in the automotive industry. Robert Cameron, Head of Production, Logistics and Aftermarket Department at the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), is also listed as a speaker. Cyril Klepek from the greentech start-up Cyrkl will tell us what fundamental impact digitalization can have on sustainability. The topic of sustainability will also be presented by Corina Zielbauer, Head of Cost Engineering and Benchmarking, from the Bosch plant in ?eské Bud?jovice.

Why is Aimtec a partner in the Automotive Cluster at Bayern Innovativ and what makes networking so important in today's world?

Bayern Innovativ, with its strong network and its modern technology and innovation management, offers an ideal platform for dynamic knowledge transfer. As a partner in the automotive cluster, we gain access to industry and research in the automotive sector and thus find an ideal opportunity to network and identify potential cooperation partners. Cross-border cooperation in the region in particular offers us an opportunity to make ourselves less dependent on global supply chains, which are currently extremely sensitive. In addition, Bavaria and its strong automotive industry, including OEMs and their local suppliers, are a target market for us. Aimtec helps these suppliers to strengthen their competitiveness - e.g. against production capacities in Asia - by digitalizing manufacturing and logistics. For us, networking offers the opportunity for an easy and targeted exchange of information - an important cornerstone for building relationships and, in particular, strengthening trust.