Episode Summary
In the first interview from the SCAC AIAG Supply Chain & Quality Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, Scott, Greg, and Beau Groover of The Effective Syndicate welcomed Jim Liegghio, Program Manager-Supply for the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) to Supply Chain Now Radio.
Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] It’s time for Supply Chain Now Radio Broadcasting live from the Supply chain capital of the country. Atlanta, Georgia Supply Chain Now Radio spotlights the best in all things supply chain the people, the technology’s the best practices and the critical issues of the day. And now here are your hosts.
[00:00:29] Hey, good morning. Scott Luton here with you live on Supply Chain Now Radio. Welcome to the show. We are coming to you today from the A.G. S.C. AC Supply chain and Quality Conference in TAL in North Charleston, South Carolina. AIG, the Automotive Industry Action Group C, the South Carolina Automotive Council. This conference is dedicated to the world of automotive and we’re gonna be meeting with many of the leading industry thought leaders that are participating here. A big thanks to our conference broadcast sponsor the Effective syndicate for making our coverage possible. The EFFECTIVE SYNDICATE helps companies win by optimizing process and developing winning cultures. You can learn more at the effective syndicate dot com. Quick programming note. Like all of our series on Supply Chain Now Radio, you can find our replays on a wide variety of channels Apple podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, wherever else you find your podcast. As always, we’d love to have you subscribe to almost anything. So let’s welcome in my co-host here today, Mr. Greg White serial co-host Supply Chain Now Radio Serial Supply chain, tech entrepreneur and trusted advisor Greg. How you doing? Hey, I’m doing great. It’s great to be here. It is great to be here. A beautiful morning. And it really wasn’t. It was the easy drive down here as well, no doubt. And Bo Gruber, founder and president of the Effective syndicate and co-host of our Leadership Matters series here on Supply Chain Now Radio. Hey, Dumbo, I’m June, just right. Good morning. Good to see you as well. I know you’ve been traveling quite a bit lately as well, and it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind, but I’m having fun. Absolutely. And so we’ve got a great guest. This is our our kickoff podcast for our coverage down here. And we’re gonna we’re gonna kick off with the rock and roll star. Jim Liegghio, program manager, SUPPLY CHAIN with the Automotive Industry Action Group. Jim. How you doing? Good morning, gentlemen. Doing very well, thanks. Great to have you here and appreciate what you and your organization do to make these events happen.
[00:02:16] Yeah. Thanks very much. We’re. We’re excited to be here. Third year in a row in Charleston putting on this joint event with South Carolina Automotive Council. We’ve had two successful years and we know that today and tomorrow will be a third good run. So thanks for for having us. We’re excited to have you guys here as well. Thanks.
[00:02:30] I was excited to see two beautiful cars parked out front. I was so looking forward to this because I love cars. And I think you guys are off to a great start. All right.
[00:02:41] Well, you know, as we talked about in the warm up, Jim is partnering side by side with Amy Tinsley, which we’re a fan of, future governor of South Carolina. So we’re big. But but this is our first event like this Daryl or first AIG FCIC event. But we have really enjoyed the run up conversations to the run up that we’ve got a great slew of interviews set up over the next two days. So thanks for everything you and your team done. Make this happen. Yeah. So but before we’d learn more about AIG, Jim, tell us more about yourself and your journey to where you sit here today.
[00:03:13] Sure. Yeah. It’s been kind of a wild ride. No regrets the whole time. It’s been very exciting. And Supply chain 20 year career so far from OEM manufacturing to mid-level manufacturing export import compliance. Couple rolls there ended up at AIG about two and a half years ago. So one minute you’re chasing parts on third shift for minivans and the next minute you’re on Supply Chain Now Radio. So very, very exciting journey and lecturing for a business supply chain program at a community college as well. So being an automotive or back to automotive, I should say, has afforded me some pretty interesting opportunities and working with folks like Amy Hensley. She’s fantastic. And the whole South Carolina Automotive Council team. So agreed. That’s me in a nutshell.
[00:03:52] You know, automotive is one of those unique industries. When you’ve worked in it or you’ve supplied the industry, it’s just such a whole different sense of urgency. Right. And for that matter, exactness. Yes.
[00:04:04] You know that precision matters for sure. Absolutely. And you never lose that sense of urgency, especially if it’s instilled in you early on in your career. I can tell you now that, you know, I work on programs and content. You still possess that kind of assembly line mentality. So I didn’t always keep things exciting and interesting. And it’s been a great career. Automotive is fantastic. Well, so on that note, let’s talk more about the AIG Automotive Industry Action Group. So what what does the organization do? So we’re a not for profit automotive association founded in the early 80s by GM, Ford and Chrysler, really kind of founded to solve industry common problems, form standards around disparities in the way business was done among the big three back then. We now have 36 hundred member companies, many, many smaller and mid-level manufacturing companies that just don’t know what they don’t know about supply chain, about quality, about corporate responsibility. So we still have the standard setting mindset and that that part of the business. But we also produce world class events. We do training onsite. We just moved to a new facility in South. Field Michigan about a year ago. So kind of state of the art training class is going on all the time. So 47 employees and at any given moment, about 700 volunteers from the industry that work. They worked their day jobs in the industry and they volunteer on projects at AIG and they’re quote unquote, free time.
[00:05:15] Wow. Thirty six hundred member companies. Yes. It’s growing quite a bit the last few years. Man in the southeast here with the the influx of more and more automotive in the last 20, 25 years, you’ve seen a lot of growth here as well.
[00:05:27] Yeah, that’s the reason we’re here. We’re really trying to bridge the gap between Detroit and the southeast manufacturing region. So all of the southern states have been great partners and trying to kind of bring some of our programming to the southeast where obviously manufacturing is migrating. So yeah, a lot of vehicles are obviously produced here and suppliers follow suit and come down and service providers as well. So these joint events are a great avenue to really gain some traction with potential members. Welcome in the new members pitch our sponsored membership programs, that type of thing. So we’re bringing our message, you know, out of Detroit because if they won’t come to us, we’ll come to them. Sure. And bring it down here to the southeast. So it’s it’s been kind of a home away from home here in Charleston. And like I said, Amy and her team at ACMA have been have been stellar to work with.
[00:06:08] That’s great. That’s great to have. If you have to have a home away from home, Charleston’s a great place.
[00:06:13] I played tour guide last night, have been here quite a few times myself. Froome for personal and business, not standard city is a great city. So in your current role, Jim, with AIG, what do you do?
[00:06:24] So I’m responsible for programming and content in the supply chain space. Anything from, you know, producing these events and kind of lining up the content and agendas, recruiting speakers, world class speakers, you know, trading customers is actually going to be here this time. From that to kind of coordinating our training programs, vetting our publications that have been around for a while. So revamping some of those industry outreach, membership outreach. Personally, I find rewarding opportunities and academic outreach students trying to fill that supply chain talent pipeline and mentor to students locally in Detroit that are supply chain undergrads. And I mentioned now I’m lecturing for a community college as well. So trying to kind of pepper in some of my industry experience there and to encourage young, young minds to get into supply chain, which I think one of the principal issues we have now is that talent pipeline is that interest level in manufacturing and in supply chain. So that’s really I have a kind of a wide purview of what I do at AIG, but all things content and programming and supply chain kind of I work with those men.
[00:07:20] Nurturing and mentoring is so important. I mean, we were talking about it on the way here when I started and what now is called Supply chain. It wasn’t even called Supply chain saying I didn’t start it up. Yeah. I don’t think any of us grew up saying, golly, I’d much rather be in Supply chain than be a racecar driver. All right. But but it’s it’s now it’s a strategic imperative. Right. It’s not a necessary evil as it had been. And kind of a back office function, right? Yeah. It’s not like separating your company. It’s a core competency versus a cost center. Yeah.
[00:07:55] Versus the tail on the dogs. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Same thing for me. When I started in university under what wasn’t called Supply chain, it was Logistics management and it was under marketing believe it or not. So what was a sub major. If you believe that. Wow.
[00:08:06] Yeah. Well I for one really enjoy and can appreciate the bridge builder. That aspect of your role and really the aspect of the AIG organization. We need more bridge builders in an industry society right now. So I love that component of what you do. All right. So let’s talk about. All right. Obviously, we know why you’re here, but what do you look at? I mean, this is the third year of having a successful event like this. What is your favorite component of these events?
[00:08:35] I actually appreciate the diversity of the speakers that we have. So this started as a hybrid quality and supply chain event, basically 50/50. The IETF standard was brand new a couple of years ago, so quality had a big, big stretch in what we were doing. At this point it’s probably 80 85 percent supply chain, but within that 80 85 percent we have a wide diversity of speakers and messaging that’s coming through. And one of the things I appreciate most or get most excited about is kind of cherry picking some of those topics and bringing that to the audience to where they’re going to get the most value out of it. So three months ago in Detroit, we had our Supply chain summit, which was a homerun by all. By all counts, we and we did just that. We had the challenge supply chain is the variety of topics or the breadth of it all. So bringing the right relevant events and topics to the audience is one of the things I find most rewarding, and I hope that happens here. I believe it will obviously international trade tariffs, that type of thing is is top of mind in manufacturing companies. There’s a lack of expertise around it. So that’s why we have actually two sessions on trade and customs, one one right from CBP themselves and one from Aaron Fox, Bridget Matheson Woods. You guys, we’ll talk to you later on time tomorrow, right? Outstanding. Yeah.
[00:09:39] So, Jim, what are one or two of the industry trends that you’re watching or maybe tracking or worried about?
[00:09:47] Personally, I see that kind of talent pipeline or I should say aptitude pipeline drying up a little bit in manufacturing and it’s pocketed around the country. Right? We feel it in Detroit. Other industries feel it as well. But I think just.
[00:09:59] A need for more folks to get into automotive and specialize in supply chain. That’s one of the top of my concerns and that’s personally why I do a lot more outreach than I than I probably should. I’m encouraging students. Number one, I’m passionate about it. Number two, I sense the talent pipeline is potentially could dry up. And if people are looking away from manufacturing as kind of a volatile area into other careers, I want to bring them back into the fold and keep keep America’s no manufacturing industry healthy. That’s one thing. Yeah.
[00:10:27] Yeah. With a lot of what you’re doing, especially from an enrichment and awareness standpoint, are you all going. Getting into elementary schools yet? Not quite elementary schools where we’re working our way down to the community college, junior college level.
[00:10:40] Yeah, ideally maybe even earlier than that at some point. But yeah, we’re trying to pitch careers even as far as called junior college or community college level so people don’t. For example, I have 35 students on my course and only one of them is targeting a supply chain major. And I’m I’m questioning why. Wow, that’s quite typical. But I think a lot of we’re don’t know about the career and the opportunities and within. I certainly didn’t at that age. So just creating awareness, that’s one issue. The other issue I think is top of mind is really what to do with all of the data that we’re now being presented with information and data. There’s a lot of talk around big data and artificial intelligence and trends therein. But who’s going to specialize in analyzing all this information and doing what with it? You have to you have to take that and turn it into a skill set or to come our comparative advantage. So just kind of getting people’s arms around what’s out there, what’s possible. As we develop into this technical digital age, you know, you even realize the power of what what information is out there that put things so well put.
[00:11:36] I know Greg wants to ask you Greg wants you to get your crystal ball out. But right before we do that little sidebar, we want to talk with you about Supply chain went to one since we’ve been doing in Georgia and now spilled over into South Carolina, where we’re taking teams of Supply chain practitioners in element in the third, fourth and fifth grade classrooms and defining in Supply chain. It has been a fascinating, you know, through through several years, over 40 sessions. Fourteen hundred students that we have presented to and engaged with. And I think we’ve learned more than students. But so we could talk about that for hours, but we’ll maybe compare notes afterwards. All right.
[00:12:11] Yeah. Yeah. That’s a really great program. Yeah. So. Yeah. So I’d love to considering what you’re seeing. Right. I mean, with what you’re seeing with the talent pool and and the proliferation of data. Right. And obviously we need to up skill in that area as well.
[00:12:31] What do you see? Any bold predictions for the future for automotive? I’m going to be really boring here and save for bold predictions. I actually I sense people are going to kind of get back to basics and analyzing some of their networks. What I sense is a bit of a cost crunch coming up that the economy’s showing indications of slow belt tightening. So I think people would be behoove to really study their networks and their opportunities. You know, the cost of fuels fluctuated some of the infrastructure changes that the import export footprint has really changed the international trade footprint. So I have a feeling people may try to get back to that kind of basic Logistics management stuff next year and really understanding optimizing their networks. I’m kind of a big believer in and understanding your cost structure is right. So there’ll be some of that. But but again, I think the bold prediction would be, you know, whereas electrification going to go, whereas autonomous vehicles are going to go, what are the investments going to look like in these solutions? You know, generally mobility, I think is people are changing their minds.
[00:13:26] That’s about ownership of vehicles, right. Younger generations aren’t quite sure they want to buy a car. So how do the automakers react to that volume fluctuation? So I think I think that still building, maybe not for next year, but, you know, a couple of years and beyond. So one project we just put together was a Supply chain thought leadership program with Thomson Reuters, which is the Supply chain 2025. Can a future of automotive cool look. So we’re we’re actually in an analysis phase of the European America’s version of that right now. First draft will be due out probably mid to late October. So looking forward to look there. We can see what you’re really thinking about for the future. Yeah, absolutely. And this was done. This was a project done in conjunction with, you know, multiple executive and interviewing them and studying understanding where were their top of mind concerns are what’s keeping them up at night, turning that into a survey project and mass out to the industry. And then we’re going to turn around and analyze the results. So it’ll be a very good indicator on a wide scale.
[00:14:17] Very cool. And just once again, for our listeners, that’ll be out that the final report will be out by the end of the year.
[00:14:22] Okay. Asia Pacific regional report is actually out since May, but the Europe in the Americas version will probably be out, let’s call it late, late October, early November and then a global comparison by the end of the year. So that’s what we call a thought leadership project that we’ve been working on. All of our KPI is is thought leadership at A.G. So we worked with Thomson Reuters, which is a leading research company, right? Sure. Yeah. Automotive being one of the things they specialize in. So yeah, I look forward to that. And that’ll be out on our on our blogs and web pages by the end of the year. Well let us know when you get that. Absolutely. Well, yeah, yeah.
[00:14:52] One of things Lufthansa will do is we will meet with some these thought leadership groups and they’ll share some of the key takeaways. From these huge studies, we were just on a remote podcast with the great folks over 50, which were based in London, had put out a great Logistics technology, a state of the Logistics technology. But your study. Yes. Yes. Yeah, but they were able to shoot, you know, so much information that digest and they get, you know, to get on these folks and share our top three or four or five take key takeaways. Our audience usually appreciates that. So let’s chat more about that. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. All right. Those kind of things. But all this stuff. Jim, how can how can our listeners get in touch with you and the AIG team, AIG team?
[00:15:33] So we’re on all the social media. Obviously, LinkedIn is a big one for us for our blog posts. But AIG dot org is our Web site. My email address is J. Liegghio l. i.e. g g h i o at AIG dot org. I know that’s a lot of vowels. Apologize for that. But I missed one early. Hopefully you guys are providing a. But yeah. AIG dot org is our web site. We welcome all comers and inquiries. So we have a fantastic marketing department that really tries to put the right messaging out. We have electronic newsletters for our supply chain C.R. and quality every month that go out. And then we have an AIG news brief which covers all areas every month so users can download the Asia-Pacific report now and then we’ll be able to catch that information and agita our mailing list. So electronic by all means is the way to go. I’m on LinkedIn as well, more than I care to admit.
[00:16:20] But yeah, I think it’s a great way to stay in touch with industry professionals and students and everything else. So Seattle at LinkedIn, James Liegghio is my name there.
[00:16:28] So great guy. Yeah. Cool. Thank you so much. Jerai. Appreciate what you’re doing in industry. Appreciate what you’re doing here in Charleston, South Carolina the next couple days. Appreciate carving out some time with us here on Supply Chain Now Radio. I appreciate you guys being here and enjoy the show. Thanks. All right. Yeah. Thank you. Don’t take off just yet. We’ll wrap up here with a couple of upcoming events. But Jim Lu years, we’ve been talking to program manager Supply chain with the Automotive Industry Action Group. So, as always, want to wrap up this session. First off, we got thank our sponsor, Bo Gruber and the Effective syndicate. They’re doing some really neat things. Stay tuned. We’ve got a big event coming up September 20th, right? That’s right. We do. Uh, we’re gonna be hosted a heck of a view, too. Oh, yeah. From that business, we aren’t all golden, Gregory. Right. Which is a leading law firm in Atlanta. There’s a lot of industry work and across Supply chain and Bo and a colleague and be keynoting an event kind of focused on how companies are are figuring out how to grow successfully in the Amazon.
[00:17:23] Right. Right. So we’re going to have a balanced approach. So the other person is a Emory professor and we’re going to talk about strategy and execution. So both pieces, if you’ve got them both. You’re probably going to be successful. And if you only get one of them, you’re probably going to be less so.
[00:17:40] Wow. That’s very diplomatic. Gentle. Gentle. Yes.
[00:17:44] Well, it is a executive invitation only event, but if you’re interested, you want to shoot bow, an email bow. B.A., you at the effective syndicate dot com and we can follow it that way. Or if you heard something else today. Greg, we’re going be in a lot of a lot of different bits like this in the next few months. Look, my running shoes on. Did you get your running shoes on? So any of the events that we’d talk about would touch on here briefly. You can find on our events tab at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com. But let’s zero in on two real quick.
[00:18:13] October 9th, October 9th is a sound. So sorry. The Georgia Manufacturing Summit. Yeah, the Georgia manufacturing alliance. That’s right. So that’s we’re going to have you’re going to actually be hosting a panel session there and we’re gonna be broadcasting live from there as well.
[00:18:29] You’re right. So this is it. I didn’t think about this. So Greg’s and me leading some interviews, including with some foreign trade ministers, which we’re going to let out of the bag later on. Secret stuff. Bo is leading a panel session dedicated to OP ex. Right. Continues to prove or disprove it. Nice. And then we’ll be leading a panel. They’re dedicated to trans track across Supply chain. About a thousand people at this at the manufacturing event in Georgia to be at. October 9th. And keynotes from Keith, which cannot that tell you what is selling? Well. Gentlemen, if your fingers on the pulse there. But we’ve heard every tell you about coming off the line here for last several months has already been. Sorry, I’ve got a customer spoken for. That is you guys are hot right now, man. So. Keynote from Keith. Keynote from PMG October 9th. You can learn more at Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com. One other note about this event is Jason Moss. The CEO of the GSA has freed up 50 seats free for our veterans and that is a huge move. Yeah, if any of our veterans are listening, you can register at Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com and use the Code USA a vet and hopefully you’re one of the lucky winners of the 50 seats he’s freed up, which is a tremendous gesture. Yeah. So, Richard. That’s right. And then lastly in Austin. November 7th and 8th. What’s going on there? Yeah. Right.
[00:19:50] So that’s the EMT Global Logistics C Lu Summit, November 7th and 8th. Yeah.
[00:19:59] It’s, uh, we’re gonna keep it weird in Austin. That’s right. About 300 exhibits in Logistics CEOs mostly, but other insects and Logistics rubbing elbows with solution providers and and each other to jump up early ideas. You it? Yeah. And we all agree great sharing of information.
[00:20:19] And we all know how hot Logistics tech freight tech supply chain tech is right now. A lot of money coming in that space because a lot of companies trying to figure things out. Yeah, you can learn more EFC dot com or you can go to our events tab and find out more there. In 2020, you’re gonna be the reverse Logistics Association conference. Next blow out in Vegas in February 2020 and then Moto X 2020. Gemma, I’m not sure if AIG is going to be there. If not, we want to make sure you are there at Mode X 2020. Vetlanta, which is one of the largest supply chain trade shows in North America. Thirty five thousand people. Wow. Okay. What mode X in Atlanta? We build factories in there. Yes. So it was a trade show. Yeah. They’ll fill up the Georgia World Congress Center. And you know what? The cool thing is it’s free to attend. So Modoc show dot.com. We’re broadcasting throughout the four days and you’re holding our 2020 Linda Supply chain awards there as well. OK. Big thanks to Jim and AIG for everything they’re doing here in the next couple of days. We’re excited about the information exchange and networking. And to your point, Jim, the diversity of thought leadership that will be here. Yeah, thanks. A bow group from the effective syndicate to our listeners. Be sure to check out other upcoming events, replays of our interviews, other resources that supply chain now radio dot com. Again, you can find us on Apple podcast, SoundCloud, SoundCloud, all of leading sites where podcasts can be found. Be sure to subscribe to YouTube. That’s right. So don’t miss a thing. That’s right. Fans everywhere. That’s right. On behalf of Greg White, the entire Supply Chain Now Radio team. This is Scott Luton wishing you a wonderful week ahead. And we will see you next time on Supply Chain Now Radio thinks about it.
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Watch Scott, Greg, and Beau as they interview Jim Liegghio for SCNR Episode 163 in Charleston, South Carolina at the AIAG SCAC Supply Chain & Quality Conference.
Featured Guests
Jim Liegghio is responsible for leading and supporting a wide array of AIAG Supply Chain initiatives, including industry-wide work groups involved with inbound materials transportation, packaging, supply chain information security, and international trade compliance. His work also includes the subject matter coordination and production of AIAG’s Supply Chain related industry events. His current responsibilities include the management and development of world-class programs and training courses in relevant supply chain topics, identifying emerging automotive supply chain issues, and representing the AIAG Supply Chain group’s interests within various industry forums. Jim has over 20 years of automotive and manufacturing industry experience in a wide variety of supply chain disciplines. He has significant hands-on, plant-level material and production control experience in addition to having held several corporate logistics roles at what is now FCA. His prior corporate logistics experience has spanned both inbound logistics as well as finished vehicle logistics – both in a domestic and an international capacity. Following his OEM experience, Jim has held various roles within international logistics operations, purchasing, and international trade compliance with global, tier-level manufacturing companies. These positions allowed him to gain diverse global experience, develop more well-rounded supply chain and compliance perspectives, and acquire valuable exposure to broader oversight functions – all within a highly entrepreneurial setting.
Beau Groover is Founder and President of The Effective Syndicate. He has been working with manufacturing and operations-focused organizations for over 20 years, primarily focused on developing bullet-proof processes and teams that are built to win. Beau has helped organizations save millions of dollars while also improving those companies’ customer experiences and building high-performing teams that continue to drive the business forward. He has developed his approach and strategy over years of working with some of the biggest companies in multiple levels within the organizations, including The Coca-Cola Company, Nordson Corporation, and Westrock (formerly RockTenn). Just prior to launching The Effective Syndicate in 2015, Beau served as the Director of Lean Supply Chain at Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC. Connect with Beau Groover on LinkedIn and learn more about The Effective Syndicate here: https://www.theeffectivesyndicate.com/
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