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Greenville set to host S.C. Automotive Summit

Staff //January 25, 2019//

Greenville set to host S.C. Automotive Summit

Staff //January 25, 2019//

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The eighth annual S.C. Automotive Summit, set to take place Feb. 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, will include presentations on manufacturing, workforce development and trade and policy.

The summit draws C-suite executives, managers and other decision-makers of OEMs, Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers, research institutions, test facilities, logistics and other service providers and organizations directly tied to the automotive industry, according to the summit webpage.

Keynote speakers this year include Mike Mansuetti, Robert Bosch LLC president; Scott Clark, Michelin North America president; and Jeff Moore, manager and vice president of manufacturing at Volvo Cars Charleston Plant.

“For the first time this year we will also offer a resource room to connect attendees with services, resources and opportunities available to the industry,” said Amy Tinsley, executive director of the S.C. Automotive Council.

Participants in the resource room will include the S.C. Department of Commerce, S.C. Future Makers, S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership and SCRA, she said.  

“We are also excited that Gary Silberg with KPMG will return this year for a thought-provoking presentation on autonomous delivery,” Tinsley said.

The summit serves to spotlight the momentum and excitement surrounding the automotive industry in South Carolina and is a celebration of our state’s continued success, she added.

The summit provides an opportunity to foster connections with the state’s automotive ecosystem since all levels of the supply chain will be represented. Tinsley said topics scheduled for discussion include trade, forecasting, workforce, autonomous technology, supply chain, advanced manufacturing, mobility and logistics.

“The automotive industry is a critical part of our state’s economy, with an annual economic impact exceeding $27 billion annually,” she said. “South Carolina is home to over 400 automotive-related company locations. These include world class OEMs like BMW, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars and a who’s who roster of suppliers.”

Each time a new automaker or supplier locates in the state it serves to further enhance the automotive community and trickles down to smaller suppliers and service providers, and spurs additional job creation and capital investment, Tinsley said.

“It’s also important to recognize that suppliers in South Carolina support more than just our South Carolina-based automakers,” she said. “They are global suppliers supporting global customers, including a strong presence of Tier 1 suppliers.

“Our state is also home to many large tire manufacturers that have made a significant impact on our automotive supply chain.”

To put South Carolina’s automotive strength in perspective, the most recent numbers for 2017 show the Palmetto State ranked as the No. 1 state in the nation in the export sales of both tires and completed passenger vehicles, Tinsley said.

The automotive summit is hosted by the S.C. Automotive Council and S.C. Manufacturers Alliance.

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