GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Global automotive trends affecting suppliers will be discussed when Grand Valley State University's Van Andel Global Trade Center holds its ninth annual Automotive Suppliers Symposium.
With the rise of the so-called "New Domestics," the U.S. automakers are making intense demands on their suppliers. Under such competitive pressure, Michigan automotive suppliers face new challenges as they rethink once essential business strategies. This program looks at the fundamental elements of building an automobile -materials and labor, and explores various paths which lead to success in a dynamic global marketplace. Leading experts will examine the following issues and share their insights regarding:
- Global Automotive Trends Affecting Suppliers
- Strategies for Combating Commodity Price Volatility
- OEM Labor Negotiations & the Impact on Suppliers
- Developing a Sustainable Competitive Advantage
The keynote address will be by Scott R. Garberding of Chrysler Group,
who will speak on the topic "Optimizing Key Interfaces,
Converting Customer Needs Into Successes." Other speakers include
Bill Bowie of Resin Technology, Inc.; Neil De Koker of the Original
Equipment
Suppliers Association; Robert Perkins of CSM
Worldwide and Dan Sharkey of Butzel Long. Those speakers will join a
panel discussion at the end of the program with Craig M. Fitzgerald of
Plante & Moran, PLLC; Richard Perreault of Gill Industries, Inc.;
Bob Rosenbach of Cascade Engineering and Terry Nicholas of Nicholas
Plastics Inc.
The symposium is March 8 from 8:00 a.m.-noon, with registration and continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $150. To register, visit www.vagtc.org. For more information, call (616) 331-6811 or e-mail [email protected].
The event is sponsored by Comerica Bank, Plante & Moran PLLC, MiBiz, and Michigan Radio.
