OREANDA-NEWS. DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group, carried out the first module of Corporate Automotive Logistics Academy 4.0 (CALA 4.0) focusing on "Trends & Strategies in Automotive Logistics" in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The platform for knowledge transfer and advanced training was developed in close cooperation with BVL Campus, the educational branch of BVL International the supply chain expert. More than 40 participants from OEMs and suppliers attended the training and further developed their supply chain management skills in workshops and discussions.

"By means of our global qualification program CALA 4.0, we aim to close this gap and increase collaboration across the industry. OEMs and suppliers need to recognize changes in the global automotive industry and grasp the challenges that come along with them. The feedback we receive from attendees prove, that there is a demand in the industry and that we have found the right approach to deliver added value," Volker Oesau, CEO Middle Europe & Global Sponsor Automotive, DHL Global Forwarding.

The CALA 4.0 module in Brazil was carried out by Prof. Dr. Bernd Hellingrath from the University of Muenster, Germany and Prof. Dr. S?lvio Roberto Ignacio Pires from Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba (Unimep), Brazil, together with a team of DHL Global Forwarding automotive specialists. During the course of the day academics shared their views on global and country specific trends and strategies in automotive logistics. Afterwards in workshops participants discussed and identified innovation requirements in automotive supply chains, worked on possible solutions and presented their results to the group.

"This industry sector is critical to Brazil's growth as well as that of DHL's. We have made investments in developing an Automotive Competence Center which has allowed us to build a team of industry experts to best support our customers this growing sector," said Cindy Haring, managing director DHL Global Forwarding Brazil.  "Being involved in CALA 4.0 provides us the opportunity to share what we have learned in order to promote trade across this important industry sector," she added.

Earlier this year, DHL Global Forwarding published a white paper on supply chain shortage in the automotive industry, outlining the issues the industry faces and necessary steps businesses should take to solve the talent crisis. The report sketches outlines five potential solutions, among them industry-wide collaboration and knowledge transfer.

The CALA 4.0 event in Sao Paulo offers DHL Global Forwarding a unique opportunity to connect with automotive industry experts and share key learnings and best practices that promote trade across this sector while addressing the supply chain gaps that exist. The event in Sao Paulo is the third of the overall eight planned modules. The next module will take place in the second half of the year in Germany.