April 26 - 30 | 2021

1. Could you tell us more about any projects you are working on currently and/or your area of expertise?

The return on investment for Industry 4.0–related topics has improved a lot. Technology is available and more accessible, and the necessary investments are faster to implement. This also has positive repercussions on the network; e.g., an investment or a measure that had unattractive payback is suddenly feasible.

2. How do you think industry can prepare its workforce for the current and upcoming challenges?

This is the time to act – a proper footprint strategy will pave the path to success. There is no doubt that we are facing a technological uplift that will have massive repercussions on the workforce of the future. Companies should have a blueprint of their target state.

3. How is consumer demand for automotive shifting, and how will it look by 2030?

There are three major changes to consider: 1) a shift of traditional profit components to software and electric vehicles, 2) the increasing importance of high-tech components, and 3) “bigger” suppliers, which might drive consolidation of the supplier landscape.

4. What are the main ways in which digitisation is creating opportunities for automotive manufacturing?

Information flows are much smoother, faster, and more reliable. This provides the opportunity to improve lead times, reduce inventories, accelerate ramp-up of products, and upskill workforces.

5. What are the key ways that suppliers can start preparing now for the shift towards EVs?

It will be a tough game: suppliers have to be fast to drive innovation over the next few years, which requires upskilling the workforce and affordability to make investments.