F&L Focus Fridays

Topic: High level discussion  on changes in the supply chain working capital environment, and especially on assessment criteria with softer aspects coming to the fore (eg sustainability), as well as continuity and digitalisation, and other interesting ideas (hot topics, fraud, for example)

• Global Head of Strategy and Solutioning Working Capital Finance, CITIGROUP
• Group Treasurer KUEHNE + NAGEL
• Please email for a joining link

Topic: Open and fast-moving discussion on the future of the China/Europe supply chain. How can Europe prepare to respond with effective strategies, and what factors do we need to consider?  

• Vice President Supply Chain, Gartner
• Lear Corporation Asia & TAPA, former Director Logistics Purchasing & Centre of Excellence and former Chairman
• Please email for a joining link

Topic: short, lively and confidential discussion with F&L’s network focuses this time on removing barriers to trade: getting the private sector into the driving seat.  Government sets the rules but business must be in the driving seat: how can we stimulate cross-border trade to be simple, fast and cost-effective? Why has Maersk placed trade at the centre of its sustainability strategy? What’s the role of data? We can create value by making the direct and indirect costs of international trade explicit. 

• Director for Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation
• Head of Sustainable Trade at Moller–Maersk

Topic:“How workforce changes match demand changes we see in the market”

• Leaders host 45 minute discussion with Q&A.
• Director LKW WALTER (slides in members’ area)
• Director CHEP
• PhD KUEHNE LOGISTICS UNIVERSITY (slides in members’ area)

Topic: “How do credit insurer and financiers view current market changes, and what does the health and funding credibility of the sector look like going forward?”

• Leaders host 45 minute discussion with Q&A.
• Vice President COFACE GROUP (credit insurance)
• Chief Executive CICERO CAPITAL (investment)

Topic: “Covid-19, an opportunity for a more sustainable supply chain?”

• Thought leaders and IKEA host 60 minute discussion with Q&A.
• COVID-19 Risks Outlook, Preliminary Mapping and its Implications – World Economic Forum
• Global Supply Chain Jenga – the tower has fallen​
• Topics included but not limited to: triple-shock – the three crises we face.  What are the lessons from this year so far?  Could anything force supply chain participants to co-operate sincerely?  What digital surprises are around the corner?  And is now the supply chain’s chance to be seen as “value add” not “lowest cost”?  Who will pay?

(Held on Thursday 7 May at 16:00 CET because Friday 8 May is a holiday)

Topic – Confidential video dialogue between business leaders with plenty of commentary from the audience.  We begin with thoughts from:

• Nestlé (slides in members’ area)
• World Economic Forum (slides in members’ area)
• North Sea Route – Gavin Roser, F&L Ambassador-at-Large

(Held on Thursday 30 April at 16:00 CET because Friday 1 May is a European holiday)

Topic – Confidential video dialogue between business leaders with plenty of commentary from the audience.  We begin with thoughts from:

• Coty (slides in members’ area)
• Catts – corona updates and impacts (trade compliance)
• Arctic – Gavin Roser, F&L Ambassador-at-Large

Topic – Confidential video dialogue between business leaders with plenty of commentary from the audience.  We begin with thoughts from:

• LyondellBasell (slides in members’ area)
• UNCTAD United Nations Trade and Development (slides in members’ area)
• World population (slides in members’ area)
• European land transport weeks 16-17 kindly provided by Serge Schamschula Transped Europe & Tim Consult
• Audience comments, questions and discussion

Topic – Less talk, more action, keeping the momentum strong.  Business updates with plenty of commentary from the audience.  We begin our dialogue with comments from:

• AB InBev (slides in members’ area)
• Mars
• DP World Antwerp (slides in members’ area)
• Audience comments, questions and discussion
• Summarised in our weekly blog

Topic – Less talk, more action, keeping the momentum strong.   F&L Market Outlook 3 April 2020.  Business updates with plenty of commentary from the audience:

• Consumer trends in FMCG – Invista (slides in members’ area)
• Preparing for reconstruction – Massimo Marciani, Logistics Think Tank, Italy
• Intermodal as a solution – UIRR
• European market – IRU
• Audience comments, questions and discussion
• Summarised in our weekly blog

Topic – Current challenges, solutions and stories (covid-19) including impacts and mitigation, solutions, current capacity and pricing, are we learning fast or operating under pre-determined contingency plans, and what adaptions or fundamental changes do we think will come?

• Led by Kenneth Russell, Commercial Director Russell Group
• Market data provided by Serge Schamschula, Member of F&L Board
• Audience commentary
• Summarised in our weekly blog