The Future of Manufacturing 2024

THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

Challenge? Accepted!

Automotive production is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation. Those changes are being driven by a number of technological, environmental and social factors that require a shift in thinking, planning and acting on various levels.

  • the ongoing integration of alternative drive technologies into the product portfolios of the OEMs

  • the exponential growth of automatization and digitalization solutions and AI developments for industrial production

  • the growing focus on sustainability requirements

  • the shortage of skilled workforce, on all levels

As a result, new products, new processes and new production solutions need to be found, integrated, scaled – and accepted by the people who are tasked with carrying them out.

Which is why the Automotive Circle – in cooperation with its partners at the College of Charleston and South Carolina OEM’s – is launching a new, manufacturing-focused conference and inviting its worldwide network of automotive experts to join us in Charleston, South Carolina this September, to discuss, among experts, technological solutions that have the potential to enable a successful “Future of Manufacturing” for the automotive industry.

We put a particular focus on the following questions:
  • What are the main challenges of being an industrial manufacturing company today? What solutions, experience reports and success stories are there?

  • What are the latest advanced manufacturing technologies that best meet the current needs of the automotive industry?

  • What are the latest advancements in the fields of manufacturing automation and digitalization?

  • What are the most innovative AI solutions that have the potential to revolutionize automotive production now and in the future?

  • How can automotive production become an attractive working environment for young talent and retain them in the long term?

In addition to the presentations and discussions on site, the conference includes:
  • an exclusive Guided Tour through the Volvo Car Charleston Plant in Ridgeville, SC

There’s no doubt that these are challenging times for the automotive industry. But there are two ways you can look at a challenge: as an unwelcome problem, or as an opportunity for progress and, potentially, growth. In most cases, both are true at the same time – the situation is incredibly complex and there are no easy answers. But there are options and innovations and ideas for solutions, and we look forward to discussing all of those with you in South Carolina soon!

Don’t miss any updates by following the Automotive Circle on LinkedIn and hashtag #ACFutureManufacturing.

Conference Program

Program is subject to change
Status as of: September 13, 2024

Guided Tour

Introducing: Volvo Car USA 

In 2015, Swedish car maker Volvo Cars announced its first U.S. manufacturing facility just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The plant became operational in June 2018.  

The decision to choose Berkeley County, South Carolina as the home for the new factory was taken as a result of its easy access to international ports and infrastructure, a well-trained labor force, an attractive investment environment and experience in the high-tech manufacturing sector. 

Today, Volvo produces the EX90, a fully electric SUV, and the Polestar 3, another fully electric SUV built on the same platform, at their South Carolina facility.  

In 2022, Volvo Car Charleston (VCCH) expanded operations to include a battery assembly plant. The new battery assembly plant is the base to be able to produce BEVs. With this investment, Volvo Cars took a critical step towards preparing for the EX90 start of production.  

Volvo is looking forward to welcoming the participants of this conference in South Carolina, and to taking you on an exclusive guided tour through the VCCH manufacturing facility! 

During the 2-hour tour, you are going to meet experts from Volvo in the Body Shop and in Final Assembly, where they will take you on fascinating technical deep dives. There will also be lots of time for you to ask them questions.  

Stations on the guided tour: 
  • Mechanical Joining: This station will offer some deep dives into Mechanical Joining and the importance of the specific steel mixture used in Volvo’s car bodies. 
  • Welding Process: This station will highlight Volvo’s unique Welding + Hemming Process. 
  • Noise, Vibration, Harshness Foam: At this station, Volvo will provide insights into their NVH Foam Process. 
  • Battery Assembly: Volvo’s new battery assembly plant is the base to be able to produce BEVs.
  • LIDAR: This station will focus on the integration of Lidar technology into the vehicles.
  • Launch Readiness: Volvo prepares for projects by doing physical pre-series builds in Sweden and at the plant in Charleston. We’ll take a look at the launch room to talk about how Volvo prepare to launch a new vehicle. 

Program Committee

Dr. Sibylle Freitag

Presidium
Automotive Circle, DE

Knudt Flor

Senior Vice President for Innovation and Industry Engagement
College of Charleston, US

Angus Cruickshank

Bodyshop Quality Manager
BMW Manufacturing, US

Participants

  • 3M, US
  • Atlas Copco, US
  • Audi AG, DE
  • Autis Engineering, US
  • BMW Manufacturing Co LLC., US
  • Boeing Research and Technology, US
  • Bosch – B/S/H Home Appliances, US
  • Clemson University, US
  • Coherix, US
  • College of Charleston, US
  • Daubert Chemical, US
  • Eines Vision Systems, US
  • Ford Motor Company, US
  • Fox Robotics, US
  • General Motors Company, US
  • Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, US
  • Hydro Extrusion, US
  • IPG Photonics, US
  • ISEE, US
  • Jaguar Land Rover, UK
  • Kautex Textron, US
  • Levatas, US
  • Lincode, US
  • Markfordged, US
  • Martinrea International, US
  • NavVis, US
  • NewForge, US
  • Nissan, US
  • Novelis, US
  • Palladyne, US
  • Precitec, US
  • RDI Technologies, US
  • Rivian, US
  • SCRA, US
  • Sensopart, US
  • Stanley Engineered Fastening, US
  • SWOH Energy Supply, CA
  • TOX-Pressotechnik LLC, US
  • Unikie Inc., US
  • Volkswagen AG, DE
  • Volvo Car Operations, US
  • OEM executives and engineers involved in automotive production and production planning
  • as well as their counterparts at system suppliers,
  • engineering service providers and relevant research institutions.

Exhibition & Sponsoring

Exhibitors & Sponsors on-site

Become a sponsor or exhibitor

Take advantage of the high coverage of the Automotive Circle and profit from the sponsoring options before and during the events. Show your competence and services, matching the conference subjects, to the numerous car body engineers of international OEM. Thus, you are strengthening your brand awareness in the automotive industry!

Come on board as an exhibitor or sponsor and benefit from this excellent platform to strongly promote your company’s capabilities as a reliable supplier!

If you have any question or want to request additional information, please contact Ms. Frauke Haentsch .

Check out the various exhibition and sponsoring options!

More Information

Participation fee

Trust rate

Participation fee

2.099 USD*

*expired

Early Bird

Participation fee

2.199 USD*

*expired

Standard

Participation fee

2.299 USD*

*for registrations received after August 27, 2024

*all prices net

Detailed information available under Prices, Terms & Conditions.

Organizer

Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG
Plathnerstrasse 4c
30175 Hannover, Germany

T +49 511 9910 – 378
T USA +1 313 2880905
F +49 511 9910 – 379
www.automotive-circle.com
[email protected]

Date & Venue

Date:
September 24-25, 2024

Venue:

406 Sigma Dr
Summerville, SC 29486
United States

Phone: +1 843-832-1304

www.lowcountryconferencecenter.com/

Accommodation is available at the conference hotel.

We kindly ask you to make your own hotel reservation at the conference hotel. The price per night is $169.00 exclusive of Tax and Fees until September 1, 2024. Please make your reservation as soon as possible in order to secure group room rates. After that, room reservations are available at best rate via call to hotel or via the hotel´s website. Book your room here.

Guests are also welcome to contact the hotel directly at +1 (843) 832-1304 and press “0” to speak with a guest service agent on property. When calling the hotel for reservation please reffer to the group code “ACFM“.

Participation Fee

Trust-Rate
2.099 USD*
for registrations received by june 23, 2024
Early-bird
2.199 USD*
for registrations received by august 27, 2024
Standard
2.299 USD*
for registrations received after august 27, 2024

*All prices net

Students will get 50 % discount on standard prices on presentation of a valid student ID.

GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNTS:

Benefit from our group booking rates and get a 10% discount when registering 3 or 4 people or 15% discount when registering 5 or more people from the same company at the same time. The discount refers to the respective participant fee. You can choose this option during the registration process.

The access data for the digital conference participation will be send out via E-Mail approx. one week prior the conference. The prerequisite for this is that all payments have been recieved in full.

Participation fee includes:

On site participation: Fees including full conference participation, incl. conference materials and list of delegates, the authority for downloading the presentation on the internet, luncheons, catering, the participation in the evening networking event and  access to the presentation for 2 weeks after the conference.

Participation of guided tour: Please note that the groups and time slots for the guided tour of the plant will be assigned by chance. The organizers reserve the right to make any necessary changes to the schedule and group assignments.

Registration

Registration is preferably done via the event’s website, alternatively by e-mail or regular mail. The confirmation of participation and invoice will be sent via e-mail. After receipt of payment your registration becomes binding and you will receive a corresponding confirmation of participation. Without this confirmation, there is no claim to participation in the booked event. Registrations will be considered in the order in which they are received, except EuroCarBody. However, the number of participants is limited in all cases.

Conference Language

The conference language is English.

Cancellations

Fees will be refunded in full if notice of cancellation is received by August 27, 2024. Please understand that event preparation and organization involve financial and human resources. Therefore a fee of 50% of the participation fee will be charged, if the notification of cancellation is received after August 27, 2024. Should notification reach us after September 10, 2024, or in case of non-participation, 100% of the participation fee will be charged. Substitutions of delegates may be made at any time.

Cancellations and changes must be made in writing and will be confirmed by the organizer. Cancellations due to health reasons can be cancelled free of charge at any time with a medical certificate. If a participant is demonstrably unable to attend due to travel restrictions, he/she has the option of converting the attendance participation into a digital participation (if this is offered). Any cost differences will be reimbursed.

The participant undertakes to follow the instructions of the organizer and the venue. Failure to do so may result in exclusion from the event.

The organizer reserves the right to change the program or to cancel the event in the event of special circumstances (important reason). In particular, the organizer is entitled to take such measures in cases of force majeure, due to official orders, in the event of a situation endangering the life, body or health of the participants. In these cases, the organizer shall not be obliged to pay damages and/or reimbursement of expenses to the participants. This applies in particular to any cancellation fees incurred by third parties (e.g. hotel bookings, train or flight tickets).

If the digital event has to be canceld by the organizer due to insufficient number of participants, technical complications or due to illness of one or more speakers, already paid participation fees will be refunded in full. Further claims do not exist.

Invitation Letters

Please contact us if you need invitation letters for visa requirements. We will be happy to assist with this after we have received your registration. There requests are usually handled by us within 2 working days and we typically send the invitation letters out as a PDF file via eMail. If you require an original letter we can send it out by regular mail. Please understand that if you need letters sent via express mail that we have to further the delivery and handling costs to you.

Program Changes

Automotive Circle reserve the right to revise event content and change implementation tools. There is no claim to a specific lecture, workshop or references. Registered trademarks: No guarantee is given that the products, processes and other names mentioned are free of third-party property rights.

Data Protection

As participant of an event, you agree that data such as company, address (zip code, city, country), first name, name and job function of the attendee will be published on the list of participants. The list of participants is available to all participants in digital form. The list of participants could also be used by sponsors and exhibitors for advertising purposes. Objection against publication and circulation of your data may be made at any time until 3 weeks prior to the event and has to be made in writing to the organizer. The address data are processed for customer service and information purposes in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Company’s name, city and country might be published on the Internet as reference for upcoming Automotive Circle events. Personal data will be forwarded to the local health authority on request.

Pictures, Videos & Recordings

By registering you understand that your participation and attendance at the event may be videotaped, filmed and/or audio recorded. You agree that the recording may be used for any lawful purposes that Vincentz Network, or its designees, in their sole discretion, may determine.

Picture credits

Vincentz Network

Volvo

Miscellaneous

With your binding registration you agree that film, image, word and sound recordings may be made of you during the event. These recordings may be used without restriction by Vincentz Network or authorized parties in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Also have a look at our Privacy Policy.

Hannover, Germany, November 2024.

Your Contacts

Dr. Sibylle Freitag

Presidium

+49 511 9910-316

Frauke Haentsch

Director Sales

+49 511 9910-340