HIGH-PROFILE speakers from car companies Ford and Daimler Chrysler will arrive in the region this month for the fifth International Automotive Conference.
Andy Yearsley, director of global sourcing development at Ford of Europe and Winfried Feldkamp, supply director of Daimler Chrysler and chairman of industry standards body Odette International will attend the conference, being organised by Sunderland City Council.
They will join representatives from Renault, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Aktrion Group and Covisint Europe at the event, being held at the University of Sunderland's St Peter's Campus, from March 25 to 27
They will speak about the future of electronic purchasing, one of the most significant developments in the automotive industry for decades, offering the possibility of huge efficiencies and savings.
It is thought that by the end of the year, up to 90 per cent of procurement professionals will be buying on line, and estimates have put potential savings at 70 per cent.
Tom Hurst, Sunderland council's principal economic development officer said: "The International Automotive Conference has become one of the key dates in the automotive calendar and the quality of the speakers we secure is a true testament to how highly it is regarded within the industry."
He added: "With delegates arriving from across Europe and the US, the conference provides an excellent opportunity for automotive organisations in the region to discuss the challenges they are facing."
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