Shifting Gears
The MGM Grand Detroit buzzed with energy on November 12-13, 2024, as the 9th Annual American Automotive Summit gathered automotive leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.
For two action-packed days, attendees tackled the hottest topics shaping the industry, from driving sustainability and embracing digital transformation to reimagining supply chains and boosting manufacturing efficiency.
Couldn’t make it? No worries–here’s your quick pit stop for the top highlights. Gear up to join us next year!
The summit began with welcoming remarks from Ramon Kuczera of GKN Automotive, setting the tone for a day focused on actionable strategies and impactful discussions.
Following the welcome, Tsutomu Wakitani, VP and Executive Chief Engineer at American Honda Motor Company, delivered an inspiring opening keynote. Highlighting the power of AI, machine learning, and IoT in tackling automotive challenges, he captivated the audience with insights on streamlining operations, meeting regulations, and leveraging technology for sustainability.
Wynand Stapelberg of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International took the stage to discuss strategies for optimizing asset value across multiple plants. His engaging delivery and real-world examples set an inspiring tone, leading seamlessly into eMoldino’s plenary, led by Raja Shembekar of PACCAR on supply chain resilience through digital tools, offering attendees key considerations to navigate today’s complex manufacturing landscape.
The day moved into concurrent sessions where experts shared insights tailored to specialized fields.
In the Manufacturing & Operations track, Mark Holloway of Goodyear outlined how lean principles and collaboration can improve supply chain flexibility. Meanwhile, the Quality stream featured Douglas Cantriel of Ford and Lauren Dunford of Guidewheel in a fireside chat, discussing how modernization can cut costs and enhance visibility. Over in the Design & Engineering field, Florian Reichle of BorgWarner underscored the pivotal role of cybersecurity in protecting emerging automotive technologies.
By late morning, attendees transitioned into interactive workshops featuring compelling insights from industry leaders. John Banda of Autodesk discussed Connected Solutions for Comprehensive Asset Management in Automotive Manufacturing, highlighting the impact of the Datum360 acquisition on data accessibility, operational efficiency, and safety. Taylor Young of CoLab Software shared data-driven strategies to prevent repeat design errors, while Ed Walsh of Sigmetrix explored techniques for managing mechanical variation to enhance product reliability.
After a morning of impactful sessions and workshops, attendees enjoyed lunch paired with Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions led by executives from AMDT, GXO Logistics, Sigmetrix, ChainLink SRM, eMoldino, CADDi Co., Ltd., Rescale, and Eyelit Technologies. These engaging conversations focused on key topics such as logistics efficiency, tooling digitalization, and AI integration in engineering processes, fostering collaboration and providing practical insights for attendees to apply in their operations.
With the energy high after a lively lunch, the afternoon sessions kicked off with a series of engaging discussions and workshops.
Ganesh Iyer of Martinrea International led the Manufacturing & Operations session, unveiling innovative ways to boost profits through sustainable supply chain practices and real-time transparency. At the same time, Arnd Herwig of Brose inspired the Design & Engineering audience with forward-thinking approaches to sustainable product design and electrification, emphasizing performance and user experience.
The workshops kept the momentum going: Kurt DeMaagd of Sight Machine explored the transformative power of AI in manufacturing, Rachel Trombetta of ServiceNow showcased how GenAI and workflow automation can streamline efficiency, and Michelle Phelps of Authenticom demonstrated the value of advanced data solutions in optimizing operations and marketing strategies.
After the workshops, the excitement carried over into Happy Hour, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings. A perfect opportunity to continue the conversations while enjoying appetizers and refreshing drinks. The energy then shifted to the plenary session, where Alicia Davis, SVP at Lear Corporation, shared insights on leveraging innovation, AI, and robotics to drive operational excellence and enhance employee well-being.
Women in Leadership Panel
The Women in Leadership panel was the perfect way to wrap up Day 1, leaving attendees inspired by the insights and experiences of top women leaders in the automotive industry. Featuring Hannafia Spånberg from BorgWarner, Anna Schneider from Volkswagen, Gagan Mann from Stellantis, Carolina Pluszczynski from Ford, and Cheryl Thompson from the Center for Automotive Diversity. The panelists offered powerful reflections on breaking barriers, mentoring future leaders, and lessons from their leadership journeys.
Day 1 concluded on a high note with a Networking Drinks Reception, where attendees kicked back, shared laughs, and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere.
The second day opened with the same energy with Megan Hunter, EVP of Martinrea International, delivering a powerful keynote on integrating sustainability into supply chains and manufacturing. Her session offered concrete examples of incorporating eco-friendly materials and technologies, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.
Immediately following, Peter Tadros of Bosch delivered a forward-looking plenary on powertrain solutions, highlighting strategies for balancing electrification, hybrid technologies, and market demands with scalability and efficiency.
Building on the theme of innovation, Chris Brown of CADDi Co., Ltd. explored how AI can drive supply chain efficiency, enhance collaboration, and address geopolitical challenges.
As the day continued, attendees split into various sessions and workshops. Highlights included Jonathan Walker of Fujitsu North America, who delved into real-time defect detection with AI, and Kurt Spyke, alongside Alyssa Stephens, of Big Joe Forklifts, who explored advancements in material handling technologies.
Following the workshops, attendees dove into focused sessions that sparked fresh ideas and practical takeaways. Jack Feng of Superior Industries shared powerful insights on leveraging Lean Six Sigma and operational strategies to achieve sustainable growth and enhance customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, Meredith Westafer of Tesla and Chris Smith of Slip Robotics captivated the audience with innovative solutions for automating material flow, streamlining operations, and tackling factory challenges with precision.
The Day 2 Lunch & Learn Roundtables featured dynamic discussions led by Bernd Fritsch of BorgWarner on vehicle battery systems, Josefina Barajas Mercado of SAS Motherson on customer satisfaction strategies, and Anil Paryani of Ford on reducing EV operating costs. Bridget Grewal of Magna explored sustainable automotive packaging, while Shannon Dare of Ford highlighted advancements in Quality 4.0.
The afternoon sessions featured Raja Shembekar of PACCAR discussing the transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0, with a focus on human-centric digital technologies and AI-driven decision-making. Obed Louissant of Aptiv addressed strategies for attracting, onboarding, and retaining top talent to ensure long-term success in the automotive sector.
The day wrapped up with two impactful sessions that left attendees with much to reflect on.
Pawel Zarek, President of Americas at Motherson SAS, delivered a forward-thinking plenary on Sustainable and Resilient Automotive Supply Chains Through Vertical Integration.
The final session was a thought-provoking Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging panel, featuring Ashley Estes from Subaru, Florencia Stanfield from Schaeffler, Erin Dewsbury-Ribeiro from Bosch, Deabba Lorincz from Martinrea, and Cheryl Thompson from the Center for Automotive Diversity. Panelists shared personal insights on driving change, lessons from successful DEI initiatives, and actionable steps to cultivate inclusive workplace cultures.
In celebration of our attendees' outstanding participation, we're delighted to unveil our prize champions, who've brought an extra dash of vibrancy to our event! A warm congratulations to Santino Toia from General Motors as our networking superstar and Rodrigo Zamborlini from Motherson SAS, as the survey winner.
As the 2024 American Automotive Summit comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the delegates, speakers, and sponsors who made this event a success. Your insights, collaboration, and engagement continue to drive the industry forward.
2025 marks a special milestone as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the American Automotive Summit, and we can’t wait to host another incredible gathering of automotive leaders. Visit usautosummit.com to learn more and secure your spot today!
To stay updated on all our upcoming events, visit generisgp.com/events.
“This was my first Generis event and I was very impressed with the organization and content of the event. I did find many great leads that can potentially move our business forward.”
Nelson Medeiros, Director of Continuous Improvement, Adient
“Presenters and 1-2-1s all had high-quality content/information and knowledgeable people. All discussions very on-point.”
Charles Snider, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Nexteer Automotive
“Summit was very well organized. The mix between 1-on-1 and conference is very good. The app is also very useful to connect and manage time.”
Laurent Gillard, Technical Director, Magna internationnal
“I think this was an excellent event. I have made several connections with companies that offer technology and services that will be useful in my facility and my colleagues' facilities. The registration staff and hosts were outstanding.”
Erik Hall, Plant Manager, Bridgewater Interiors
“The summit provided excellent opportunities for networking with like-minded professionals. I had the chance to connect with people from different backgrounds and industries, each bringing unique perspectives. The networking sessions were well-organized and facilitated meaningful connections. I was able to establish potential partnerships and exchange ideas with peers who share similar interests.”
Rodrigo Zamborlini, Regional Manufacturing Engineer, Motherson SAS
“Excellent, great one-on-one meetings, and I love the structured approach to arranging these sessions.”
Mark McDonald, COO, 8Quanta
“Fantastic. An environment specifically curated to build key new relationships and do business as a result of attending.”
Jeff Peebles, US Sales Lead, Chartwell
Learn more about our upcoming 2025 North American events and secure your spot today:
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