24th September, 1500 -1630 BST
This session aims to explore how digital technologies have the potential to transform manufacturing supply chains. The compelling narrative around Industry 4.0 and industrial digital technologies (IDTs) driving productivity gains has been with us now for several years, yet many firms find scaling beyond a single point solution, be it across a factory network, or with suppliers and customers alike, problematic. In this session, we draw on exemplar use cases that span manufacturing supply chains and identify both the productivity gains and the more challenging system-level benefits. Further, we explore how multiple digital technology applications can combine to offer transformational change in operating and business models, but recognise that these require significant infrastructural investments and new collaboration models. Finally, we will examine how firms are creating mechanisms to meet the challenges of digital technology adoption and governance whilst addressing the skills gaps within their organisations.
Our industrial speaker, Alan Freedlund, Vice President, Global IT, Manufacturing & Supply Chain at Baxter USA will be sharing thoughts on the digital transformation programme within his organisation. Assoc. Professor Harri Lorentz from the University of Turku, Finland, will draw on his research in the area of digital procurement, and emerging frameworks based on case study research on digital supply chain transformation mechanisms.
Keynote speakers’ introduction:
In order to facilitate discussions, the focused session will have two introductory contributions from leading speakers to introduce their insights in this area, and share their perspectives on the emerging opportunities from the digitalisation of manufacturing supply chains. And we look forward to an engaging follow-on debate!
Speakers
Alan Freedland, Vice President, Global IT, Manufacturing & Supply Chain BAXTER
Associate Professor, Harri Lorentz, University of Turku, Finland
Facilitators: Dr Jag Srai and Dr Ettore Settanni
