Page 40 - MetalForming Magazine September 2022

29TH ANNUAL
October 11-12: The solutions that decision makers need for challenges in the auto supply chain.
BY LOUIS A. KREN, SENIOR EDITOR
U.S. light-vehicle sales inched upward this past July, at an annual rate of 13.3 million units, with low inventories continuing to hamper the market. Gas prices con- tinue to lower, but still measure 87 cents/gal. higher than a year ago. The average new-vehicle monthly payment has topped $700. Congress passed and the president signed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which includes $52 billion in support of domestic semi- conductor manufacturing. The newly signed Inflation Reduction Act is expected to have a significant impact on electric-vehicle manufacturing and sales, as it features new material, com- ponent and assembly requirements.
With this list of vehicle develop- ments as a backdrop, its more impor- tant than ever for decision makers in
the automotive supply chain to stay informed and plan ahead—exactly the mission of Precision Metalforming Association’s Automotive Parts Suppli- ers Conference (APSC).
The 29th annual APSC, October 11-12 at The Henry Hotel, Autograph Collection in Dearborn, MI, provides two days of educational sessions, net- working and group discussions on the latest advancements, as well as an outlook for the automotive indus- try. CEOs, presidents, owners and other senior-level executives repre- senting companies in the automotive sector will hear from industry thought leaders on important industry issues while expanding their business net- works and viewing exhibits from lead- ing suppliers.
A-One Presentations
Get information and ideas galore from APSC’s stable of top-notch speak- ers and presentations.
• Economic Outlook, presented by Jeff Schuster, Americas operation and global vehicle forecasting, LMC Auto- motive, examines current and project- ed production and sales figures, and how they might be impacted by eco- nomic, supply-chain, government and
other factors.
• The Steel Response to Challenges
of a Modern Automotive (and Mobility) Industry, by Chris Kristock, vice presi- dent of automotive, American Iron and Steel Institute, references the American steel industry’s efforts to build facilities and implement new technology in order to create innovative steel mate- rials to meet the needs of the modern automotive and mobility industry. He’ll also summarize the domestic steel industry’s contributions to automotive processing initiatives.
• A Legal Discussion With Dan Sharkey, from Dan Sharkey, partner, Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC, updates attendees on various legal challenges confronting the automo- tive supply chain, followed by a Q&A session.
• Optimizing and Correcting the Stamping Process Parameters Using Smart Manufacturing Technologies, by Jason Ryska, chief engineer-global stamping, Ford Motor Co., discusses technologies that aid in improving the quality of stamped parts as well as stamping-operation productivity.
Other presentations are planned, including a roundtable discussion moderated by Steve Haraney, vice pres-
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