AUTOMOTIVE FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA 2021

AUTOMOTIVE TODAY, the integrated media platform powered by THE DIPLOMAT – BUCHAREST and dedicated exclusively to the automotive industry in Romania, organizes the fourth edition of the annual  AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA on November 16^th in Bucharest.

Registering link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IsmXPo4zSnafrK_1puF76w

The event benefits from the support of: DIAMOND PARTNERWIPRO, STRATEGIC PARTNERACAROM, GOLD PARTNERSFORD, NXP SEMICONDUCTORS ROMANIA, DELOITTE, KLARWIN, INFINEON, SAS, PARTNERSCONTINENTAL, IFM Electronic, SEA ON, SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONSBRCC, AHK, CCIFER, MEDIA PARTNERSOUTSOURCING TODAY, FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE, ECONOMISTUL, CLUB ECONOMIC, BURSA, ENERGYNOMICS

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORUM represents an arena where key players in the field can discuss the impact of market dynamics and new technologies on the current state of the manufacturing, operational and supply chain scenes, as well as future opportunities in the field. The eventbrings together delegates from the Romanian automotive sector and Government representatives, in a half-day event, with interactive panel discussions and networking opportunities within a half-day Leaders’ Debate followed by The Gala Awards.

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORUM & AWARDSFOR EXCELLENCE GALA celebrates the performance of professionals and companies across ten key  categories of the industry. These awards are meant to mirror the enthusiasm for development and innovation within the  industry while development of individuals is encouraged through creativity of ideas, adaptation and flexibility, planning and  pioneering new ways, new thoughts and new ideas. It provides the opportunity to connect, debate and share the hot topics  within the specific landscape, and, to celebrate the achievements of the best projects and results.

CONNECTED | SHARED  | ELECTRIC VEHICLES | INNOVATION| R & D |TECHNOLOGY

_{EVENT AGENDA TIMELINE}
15:00 – 15:45  Welcome Guests – Official Opening Address
15:45 – 17:10    CEO LEADERS DEBATE
17:10 – 17:25    Florin Raducu, Senior Account Executive, SAS: “Predictive &     Advanced Analytics in Automotive Industry -  How to use data to manage transformation“
17:25 – 17:40    Partner Presentation
17:40 – 18:10    Networking Cocktail & Gala Dinner
18:10 – 19:30    AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA CEREMONY

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THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN ROMANIA  |  THE CEO LEADERS DEBATE

15:45 – 17:10

The automotive sector is undergoing an amazing transformation that all th actors on the supply chain have to adapt to. The automotive industry lives in a world where changes happen at an unprecedented speed. Digital transformation has triggered acceleration that has impacted daily lives, production, social life, and financial systems. The continuous progress and focus on the future have had a massive impact on the automotive sector.

MARKET OVERVIEW & TRENDS ON THE ROMANIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Updates of  fiscal facilities, tax incentives, authorities’input, Government’s interventions and dialogue with private players. The road ahead for automotive in 2021? It’s about software and experience. The automotive industry has traditionally been a forerunner in technology adoption and this continues with AI, Big data & data analytics, IoT, printed car components, incorporated messaging apps, mobile technology among many other innovative improvements and enablements.

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESED

• How did the automotive market in Romania evolved during 2021 and what to expect from 2022?
• Which are the growth factors and the challenges in growing a greener automotive market in Romania?
• What are the expectations of car producers from the Romanian state in order to speed up the evolution of automotive market in Romania?
• Which are the emergencies of the automotive industry in Romania?
• What kind of investments to expect in the automotive market in Romania in the next years?

E-MOBILITY –  THE ROAD IS OPEN TO AN ELECTRIFYING FUTURE

The increase in fossil fuel rate and the harm to the environment caused by their use has changed the automotive industry outlook to electric vehicles (EVs). Cars contribute to 15% of carbon emissions, which deplete precious fossil fuel reserves and causes potential irreversible environmental damage. Electric cars on the other hand are addressing the challenges by leveraging a higher level of energy efficiency and reduced fuel usage. Still, for greater adoption and people’s acceptance, electric vehicles need to come up with solutions on high price, poor battery, inadequate charging infrastructure, fleet electrification and renewable energy-based charging grids.

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED

• Romania lacks behind other regions in terms of e-mobility infrastructure. What are the factors that can help in boosting the development of e-cars infrastructure in Romania?
• How responsive are the Romanian authotities to the international trends in terms of growting the e-mobility in Romania and what should they do more?
• Which are the business priorities of car manufacturers and e-mobility players  in Romania in the next years? 
• The feeling in Romania is that the market lacks the very basics (such as road infrastructure, the buying power, the consumer education, etc). What kind of solutions have the companies  to boost their business in this context?
• How did the demand for e-cars evolve in Romania in 2021 and what kind of conclusions can be drown from these numbers?

MAPPING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The customer journey is a long, complicated process that can involve multiple channels. A good marketing campaign can help keep a customer on the right channel and ready at the right time and in the right place. Mapping customer journey emphasizes the fundamental importance of collecting reviews and opinions. Also, even if customization is as old as commerce, technology has made it now possible in the auto industry. Automakers must strive to implement customer care and marketing operations in an effective and personalized manner.

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED

• What solutions have the car producers in place to address the customer experience in the new automotive environment?
• How did the customer’s expectations change duing the past years and what kind of facilities do they target?
• How open is the Romanian customer to acquire a hybrid/ e-car and which are his pros and cons?
• Which are the main evolutions in car industry in terms of  customer experience in Romania? (innovations, novelties on the market)
• How did the online and virtual applications and technologies impact the customer experience?
• Which are the fundaments of building a comprehensive customer experience?

THE INNOVATION FACTOR

How are the companies addressing the need for innovation and new technologies so that they can be relevant in terms of competition and market needs?

What changes / approaches in terms of RD are visible or anticipated on the international market due to the pandemic context and how would they reflect on the Romanian market?

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED

• How much does the innovation factor impact the buying decision of a Romanian customer?
• The regular Romanian customer is very price-sensitive. How can innovations and tech-based facilities impact the acquisition choice of Romanian customer?
• What kind of solutions have companies in place to share knowledge among their customers and end-users?
• Which are today's barriers to vehicle innovation ( in Romania and abroad)?
• Which ar the main technological innovations that will change / impact  the automotive market?

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA

18:10 – 19:30   

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AWARDSFOR EXCELLENCE GALA celebrates the performance of professionals and companies across ten key  categories of the industry. These awards are meant to mirror the enthusiasm for development and innovation within the  industry while development of individuals is encouraged through creativity of ideas, adaptation and flexibility, planning and  pioneering new ways, new thoughts and new ideas. It provides the opportunity to connect and communicate the most visible and performant projects and industry updates and to celebrate the achievements of the best results.

The awards categories in theAUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2021areaimed at recognizing the exceptional results of both the companies and organizations and the professionals who contributed to the development of projects and business climate in the automotive industry in Romania.                                                                                    

                                           AWARDED  CATEGORIES

1.     INNOVATION AWARD
2.     E-MOBILITY AWARD 
3.     TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
4.     COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
5.     EDUCATION COMITTMENT AWARD 
6.     SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
7.     CSR AWARD
8.     SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARD
9.     LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE AWARD
10.     CEO OF THE YEAR
11.     COMPANY OF THE YEAR

AWARDED CATEGORIES CRITERIA

INNOVATION AWARD

This award is to be offered for technical innovation and is related to either a product or a process

Judging Criteria

• Product or process development approach, significance/usefulness

• Potential to improve the user’s experience

• Technical difficulty overcome. Did the solution address the challenge?

• Cost efficiency

e-MOBILITY AWARD

This award recognizes the initiatives in developing e-mobility solutions, electric infrastructure, charging stations and innovation.

Judging Criteria

• Scalable projects in e-mobility development

• collaborative successful projects

TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Recognizes any software supplier who has had an outstanding performance in 2019, with focus on development, adoption and integration of automotive technology into vehicles.

Judging Criteria

• Improves the customer experience

• Sustainable technology product or solution

• Recognized experience on the market

• Innovative approach and vision

COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Recognizes two or more companies / organizations which have undertaken a meaningful, non-commercial partnership with the objective of advancing the development of automotive industry in 2020

Judging Criteria

• Successful partnership or collaboration initiative with a result in improvement in a certain business segment

• Valuable and worthy message transmitted to the business community

• Power of inspiring as success partnership story

EDUCATION COMITTMENT AWARD

This award recognizes the initiatives in educational projects, academic collaboration and vocational and dual-educational schools, with the objective of growing the qualified and relevant skilled professionals.

Judging Criteria

• Successful educational projects and partnerships with the aim of community development

• Scalable educational initiatives

• Addressing education in new yeas: Initiatives, success stories, best practices

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Acknowledges the ongoing commitment to protecting the environment by developing solutions to sustainably reducing their environmental footprint and conveys this message into their community.

Judging Criteria

• Meaningful initiatives and solutions with focus on environment

• Sustainable work and employer branding policies

• Addressing sustainability in new ways: your company’s innovative idea in addressing a sustainable business

CSR AWARD

This award recognizes the unique and outside-the-box initiative and strategy, that demonstrates a commitment to corporate socially responsible principles.

Judging Criteria

• Impact of an environmental, community or educational project or programme successfully implemented

• The extent of workplace practices - dependent care, health provisions and employee training

SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is for a manufacturing company that has made progress towards operating an integrated and collaborative relationship with its customers, both internally, across functions and with its own supply chain partners.

Judging Criteria

• Quality of product or service

• Cost performance, affordability of the product or service

• Customer service, availability, continuity and comprehensiveness of the service

• Technical performance, sustainability, value to business

LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award will put a spotlight on the heroes of the sector who have risen despite challenges; will shortlist and bring to the forefront individuals, organizations and projects that have created excellence in the field of logistics.

Judging Criteria

• Level of achievement in the provision of cost-effective and innovative supply chain solutions

• Innovation, efficiency or investment in supply chain operations

• Valuable partnerships between OEM and service provider

CEO OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes the activity of a head of operations - Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, general manager or company president, that demonstrated commitment to the Romanian automotive sector by creating a positive impact with the business they work in.

Judging Criteria

• Attributes of leadership, vision

• Impact on company, industry and business in general

• Customer and shareholder value created

• Employee engagement and leadership development

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This award is for businesses that can demonstrate success, based upon general business performance, the launch of a new product, or development of a new process

Judging Criteria

• Turnover, number of employees, investments, R&D projects

• Overall excellence in supply, performance, customer service and environmental awareness

• Drive, vision and ability to overcome challenges

• Commitment to the automotive industry

THE JURY & JUDGING PROCESS

JURY BOARD MEMBERS:

CARMEN ADAMESCU, Partner Advisory, EY

CIPRIAN GAVRILIU, Partener Tax & Legal, Deloitte

DANIEL ANGHEL, Tax and Legal Services Leader, PwC Romania

CATALIN STRATULAT, Delivery Head Europe Product Engineering Services, Wipro

ADRIANA RECORD, Executive Director CCIFER

SEBASTIAN METZ, General Manager, AHK Romania

COLIN C. LOVERING, Vice-Chairman - British Romanian Chamber of Commerce

ANDREI MIHAI CRACIUN, Head of Digital Transformation at West University of Timisoara.

PAULA PIRVANESCU, President at Romanian Business Chamber

The Jury is independent from the Organizer and The Jury members are chosen among acknowledged representatives of the business community.  For each award, the Jury is in charge with the assessing the final nominees. Members of the Jury will be asked to vote for nominees in each category.

The final nominees list constitutes the basis for choosing the winners for each category. Any information provided by the final nominees will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose of designating the Award  Winners. The award is given at the majority of the votes. In case of equal votes, there will be a second round of votes. Members of the Jury are independent from the nominees for which they will have to vote. If otherwise they will withdraw from that specific vote.

NOMINATIONS AND JUDGING PROCEDURES & TIMELINE

Nominations must be submitted online via the online Application forms.

SEPTEMBER 1         -         Nominations entries. Companies and individuals can submit their nomination choices on the online forms.  The deadline for  all nominations is: October 20.

OCTOBER 20          -          All nominations entered in the competition will be submitted to Jury .

NOVEMBER 16      -          The WINNERS’ announcement and Awarding Ceremony

SELECTION PROCESS

The panel of jury members will consider and score the nominations that are submitted by the due date and meet all eligibility requirements for the AUTOMOTIVE FORUM & AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE GALA, 2021 edition. The name of the Award Winners will be announced during The Gala Dinner on November 16.