World Manufacturing Forum 2020

3:20 PM – 4:30 PM CET

PREPAREDNESS & PRODUCTIVITY: Building the Pandemic-Proof Supply Chains of the Future

The coronavirus pandemic represents a pivotal moment for the manufacturing sector. Three areas of focus can help companies navigate its short-term effects: protect the workforce, manage risks to ensure business continuity, drive productivity remotely.

In order to promote global prosperity, we need to look beyond the current uncertainty, towards possible long-term changes to the industry.

Most of the ongoing industrial trends already started some time ago, and today’s crisis will merely accelerate their adoption.

Domestic Manufacturing: Western countries that have become so reliant on off-shore supplies for basic needs are now seeing the downside of decades of off-shoring production.

Decoupling of Supply Chains: greater visibility and coordination across the supply chain will enable better collaboration with a wider base of suppliers, part of a highly efficient and more resilient supply chain.

• Bruce Kramer: Senior Advisor, National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Deborah Barta: Senior Vice President Innovation & Startup Engagement, Mastercard
• Bronwyn Fox: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Swinburne University of Melbourne
• Linda Hasenfratz: CEO, Linamar
• Mike Lackey: Global Vice President of Solution Management Manufacturing, SAP

Watch the video of the Plenary Session 1