ECG Academy Alumni Meeting 2020

The annual ECG Academy Alumni Meeting took place on 6-7 February once again in the beautiful city of Barcelona. As usual the event was very well-attended with almost 100 people including Alumni, ECG Board members and current students of Academy Course 14.

The meeting coincided with Module 3 of the current ECG Academy Course – the management and leadership studies that lead to a Certificate in Automobile Logistics Management. The course, which takes place over 24 days, is split into 5 modules at different locations throughout Europe. It fosters the development of leadership skills and knowledge and also includes hands-on site visits to manufacturing plants and logistics facilities.

The ECG board, which also met in Barcelona during the event, joined once again the current students for the workshop entitled Innovation Lab for Future Challenges. In this working session, ECG board members shared their considerable experience and advised the students on their project proposals resulting in a fruitful and constructive learning experience.  

The students then put into practice what they have learned so far and presented their innovative ideas on a variety of topics to the Alumni of the ECG Academy. The Dean of the Academy, Prof. Dr. Fridtjof Langenhan, updated the audience on the future challenges linked to emissions reductions and the European Commission’s Green Deal. In addition, distinguished guest speakers from the industry and academia gave some stimulating presentations. Speakers covered several topics including; an insightful lecture on truth and memories (Hilke Steffens, KPMG), an engaging presentation on culture and sustainability (Pavel Haidai, Avtologistika),  and an analysis of the impacts of digitalisation on the finished vehicle supply chain (Christian Fuss, ProAct). Furthermore, in his keynote speech Manuel Medina, Distributions Manager from SEAT SA representing the VW Group, presented the main challenges for the automotive industry in particular linked to digitalisation.

The unique setting of the event provided Alumni with an opportunity to not only catch-up with old friends and colleagues, but to also meet with the next generation of future leaders in vehicle logistics. The next annual ECG Academy Alumni Meeting will take place in February 2021, once again in Barcelona.