This article was published in the November 2023 edition of NTEA News.
Commercial vehicle industry leaders gathered in September for NTEA’s 2023 Executive Leadership Summit held at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan. This annual event focuses on trends, forecasts and insights designed to further industry knowledge, growth and profitability.
The Industry Today and Tomorrow: Viewpoints From Multi-Stage Manufacturing Leaders
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Presented by: Brian Gagnon, Director of Supply Chain and Systems Integration, Fontaine Modification; Timothy Krauskopf, CEO, Motiv Power Systems; and Jon Sievert, CEO, Casper’s Truck EquipmentModerated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
A panel of leading commercial vehicle manufacturing company executives shared their perspectives on ever-changing industry market needs, including customer trends, buying cycle shifts and supply chain challenges. Attendees gained insight into how collaboration among multi-stage manufacturers has evolved and how panelists are addressing current workforce challenges.
Maximizing Your Talent Resources
Presented by: Amy Hirsh Robinson, Chief People Officer, King’s Hawaiian
Moderated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
The work truck industry is evolving at an accelerated pace due to constant technological advancements and changing market demands. It can be challenging to ensure hiring and training initiatives are keeping pace with these changes and that current employees are equipped with relevant skills for advancement. This session offered ideas for internal and external workforce development strategies, including how to develop talent from within and new ways to find diverse pools of skilled outside candidates. It provided immediate resources and takeaways scalable to companies of all sizes.
State of the Industry: Chassis OEM Perspectives
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Presented by: Brian Daniels, Vice President Vocational National Accounts Freightliner and Western Star, Daimler Trucks North America; and Dave Sowers, Head of Ram Commercial Marketing, Stellantis
Moderated by: John Davis, Host/Creator/Managing Director, MotorWeek
Leading commercial vehicle chassis manufacturers discussed key issues affecting the work truck industry, such as shifts in vehicle complexity as a result of supply chain shortages. Panelists shared their views on the post-pandemic normal and addressed how changes to operations and production will affect industry companies.
Trends Impacting the North American Commercial Vehicle Population
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Presented by: Charles Bowles, Director of OEM and Strategic Initiatives, Trader Interactive; Andrej Divis, Director, Automotive, Global Heavy Truck Research, S&P Global Mobility; Mark Hazel, Associate Director – Commercial Vehicle Reporting, S&P Global Mobility; and Kevin Koester, Managing Director, NTEA
Representatives from industry-leading data organizations joined NTEA to examine current and anticipated trends within the registered commercial vehicle population, including analysis of work truck markets by weight class vehicle type and fuel type, as well as state and regional trends. Participants were provided insight into how to adjust their market and production plans.
Work Truck Industry Economic Overview and Market Forecast
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Presented by: Steve Latin-Kasper, Senior Director of Market Data and Research, NTEA
This session from NTEA’s senior director of market data and research provided economic and market information to help optimize business planning processes. Attendees learned more about commercial vehicle industry market trends and how they’re affected by U.S. and global economic cycles. This session included a North American chassis sales forecast — a critical component of market planning — as well as insights on potential industry challenges and opportunities in 2024.
Learn more and view photos from the 2023 event at ntea.com/executivesummit.