Agenda 2024

How to Succeed with Your Digital Supply Chain Transformation in the New Normal

Prof. Dr. Nils Finger is a recognized expert in the field of logistics with extensive experience in practice and academia. 

After completing an apprenticeship and then a dual degree programme, Nils Finger worked in several logistics organisations such as DB Schenker and BVL, where he gained experience in logistics processes and the importance of efficient supply chain management.  He is currently sharing his knowledge and experience as a Professor of Supply Chain Management at the CBS International Business School in Cologne since 2018. His passion for connecting theory with practice is evident not only in his teaching, but also in the moderation, panel discussions and lectures he organizes or participates in.  

The opening key-note presentation will summarize current supply chain challenges and provide valuable recommendations for digitizing the supply chain, focusing on the most important resource: people. 

Driving Change: Unlocking Digital Transformation at REHAU Automotive

Michael Colberg, Dipl.-Ing. from RWTH Aachen, started his professional career at Ford in Cologne and later worked at Daimler AG in Bremen and Düsseldorf. He subsequently headed production at Premium AEROTEC GmbH and held important roles at Hella AG. Since 2018, he has been working in business consulting with a focus on manufacturing, logistics and Lean Management. At REHAU Co+AG, he has been Chief Operations Officer Automotive since 2020 and a member of the executive management. He is responsible for production, supply chain, quality and development. 

REHAU Automotive develops, manufactures and supplies international vehicle manufacturers with high quality exterior, bumper and polymer functional systems. 7,000 employees at 25 locations in 9 countries share a daily passion for creating polymer solutions for the automotive industry that are even lighter, safer and more sustainable. 

Michael Colberg will be talking about how to go through a pragmatic and effective digital transformation in the automotive supplier sector. 

Simulation Tools: the Key to Effective Process Planning for Production and Logistics

FORVIA HELLA is a listed international supplier to the automotive industry. It is part of the FORVIA Group, the seventh largest supplier of automotive technology in the world. As a global market leader, FORVIA employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. FORVIA HELLA is known for high-performance lighting technology and automotive electronics. At the same time, it has a broad portfolio of services and products for the spare parts and workshop trade and for special vehicle manufacturers with the Lifecycle Solutions business group. 

Tomáš Sauer joined FORVIA HELLA in 2015 as an expert in material flow simulation and supported mainly new projects in the electronics division. Later, he became responsible for the European region in the topic of Verification and Validation of Production and Logistics, which included the integration of FlexSim in the Lighting division. He currently leads the Process Innovation department and globally manages various simulation topics in the company. 

He will present the use of FlexSim at FORVIA HELLA as a standard simulation tool to ensure quality process planning for new projects at an early stage. 

Digitalisation and its Human Dimension

Michal Fichtner graduated from an electrical engineering high school, majoring in programming. He has been with Continental since 2003, when he started as a circuit board repairer. His career led through maintenance into engineering, where he built PCB test equipment and later led a group of test engineers in this area. He subsequently put his management experience to good use in leading the engineering department of one of manufacturing divisions in Brandýs and then the IT MES team responsible for manufacturing systems. At the end of 2020, he became project manager of the Digital Factory at the Brandýs plant and is working with his team to achieve the vision of a fully digital manufacturing plant. In his experienced hands, the Brandýs plant has become Continental's model site for digitalization and from April 2024, Michal Fichtner will coordinate digitalization and data management activities on an international level. 

Continental Automotive in Brandýs nad Labem specialises in the production of automotive electronics, from on-board instruments and display solutions to telematics and eCall systems. Their products are used in vehicles of major brands all over the world. 

Digitalisation - is it really just ones and zeros? Isn't there more to it than just turning a paper form into an electronic one? Is digitalisation an opportunity or should we be more afraid of it? Michal Fichtner will present how a manufacturing plant with 2,700 employees approaches digitalization and why digitalization alone is not enough. 

Revolutionizing the Automotive Industry for Risk-Resilient Supply Chain and Smart Manufacturing, empowered by AI

Carlos Portillo is having over 16 years of experience at SAP, where he has held diverse roles in multiple regions, showcasing his adaptability and global perspective. His current position as the Global Product Marketing Manager for Artificial Intelligence entails defining and executing the AI go-to-market strategy, messaging, and thought leadership, contributing significantly to the innovation and strategic positioning of SAP Business AI. With a robust academic foundation in Operational Research and over 24 years of professional experience, Carlos has honed his expertise in business process optimization across diverse sectors such as supply chain, manufacturing, operations, and sustainability. Beyond his professional achievements, Carlos finds inspiration and fulfillment in his wife and son. In his leisure time, he is an avid explorer of tech-related topics as well as occasionally seeking the thrill of extreme sports.

Carlos will provide insights into the SAP Business AI Overall Strategy, the SAP vision of AI in Supply Chain & Manufacturing, and AI use cases in SAP’s AI roadmap on Supply Chain & Manufacturing.

Digital Transformation at AISIN Europe Manufacturing Czech

Martin Vilím has been a part of the company for 14 years, during which time he has been mainly responsible for IT systems and infrastructure. His greatest work passion is system architecture and solving complex interconnections of heterogeneous systems. He leads the IT department of AISIN Europe Manufacturing Czech, which covers everything from user support, taking care of information systems to communication with machines on the shop floor. 

AISIN Europe Manufacturing Czech is part of the global AISIN Group, one of the top 10 automotive suppliers. The plant in Písek is undergoing digitalization, which is a necessary part of upcoming production projects. These continue to expand the portfolio with products for hybrid and electric cars. 

The AISIN plant in Písek is currently undergoing a digitalization transformation and the transition to SAP S/4HANA. Martin Vilím will tell you how to manage such a complex project. 

Securing the Future: How the Cloud Enables Secure, Sustainable Growth

Wojtek Szczepucha has focused on networking and security since his first steps in the IT world. With over 20 years of experience in team leadership and strategic consulting, he has helped organizations achieve their goals. His work focuses on creating innovative solutions and implementing transformations in existing structures. 

His interest in cloud computing began more than a decade ago when he started researching private clouds. In recent years, he has focused on Amazon Web Services and has worked with organizations ranging from Startups to respected financial institutions, insurance and e-commerce companies. 

Launched in 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) began providing key infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services - now commonly known as cloud computing.  

Today, Amazon Web Services provides a highly reliable, scalable infrastructure platform in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in 190 countries. With data centers in the U.S., Europe, Singapore, and Japan, their low-cost, flexible, open, and secure platform is used by customers in all industries. 

Logistical Challenges in the Life Cycle of Automotive Batteries

Lukas Brandl has many years of experience in the recycling and recovery of raw materials. He planned the first dismantling line for electric vehicle batteries at the Rheda-Wiedenbrück plant for TSR and helped develop the business areas of battery recycling and battery life cycle management. Since 2023, he has been part of the management of BLC - The Battery Lifecycle Company GmbH, a joint venture between Rhenus Automotive and TSR Recycling.

BLC - The Battery Lifecycle Company GmbH is a joint venture between Rhenus and TSR Recycling offering a wide range of services throughout the battery lifecycle. BLC focuses on determining the suitability of used, defective or failed batteries for reuse, remanufacture and repair through comprehensive diagnostics to significantly extend battery life. Batteries that are not suitable for reuse are pre-treated for further recycling through processes such as disassembly and full discharge. With the long-term establishment of a pan-European network of centres, BLC aims to make a major contribution to more efficient logistics in the field of EV after-sales services. 

In the presentation, Lukas will discuss the logistical challenges that are expected in the future for the efficient life cycle of automotive batteries. 

In the Fast Lane? Satisfied and Sustainable

Jana Klusáková is the CEO of Replug me. In Replug me she aims to transfer the unique know-how in the field of digital wellbeing to the system level of Czech education.

She also focuses on the impact of digitalisation on individuals and society, including the impact on the labour market. In doing so, she is supported by a team that brings digital work-life balance to schools and companies, as well as time spent gardening and saving old varieties.

In the Fast Lane? Satisfied and Sustainable

Michal Samuelčík is a psychologist at Replug me. He wants to help himself and the people around him to be at least a little bit happier in life. And he believes that opening up the topic of digital technology can be a nice way to find a better relationship with it, with other people and, last but not least, with yourself.

It's essential to take regular breaks, have safety features, know your limits, and know where you're going and why. During our talk, we will support you in acquiring skills useful on your journey towards your digital balance.

From Cyclocross King to Road Cycling Star: An Interview with Zdeněk Štybar

Zdeněk Štybar is a prominent figure in the Czech cycling world. His career began on a cyclocross bike, where he also achieved success at international level at a young age, including winning the World Championships in 1993 in his age category. He later turned his attention to cyclocross, where he became a three-time World Elite Champion and a two-time World U23 Champion. 

In 2005 and 2006, he became the world champion in cyclocross under 23 years. His success in cyclocross culminated in winning the World Cup race in 2007 and the overall championship in the 2009/2010 season. He started racing more actively in road cycling in preparation for the cyclocross season. His successes on the road include stage wins in races such as the Tour of Lleida, Tour des Pyrénées and Tour of Slovakia. His transition to road cycling became permanent in 2011 when he joined the Omega Pharma-Quick-Step team. Štybar's triumph in the 2019 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad classic was one of his most significant road successes. His career is considered inspirational for young cyclists and his name is firmly etched in the history of Czech cycling.