Conferences to Help Business with an Eye on Eastern Europe

It is no secret that Russia and Eastern Europe hold much potential for global automakers, and also for those in the tyre and related industries. However it is essential that overseas operators enter these markets with their eyes open, and sometimes businesses need all the help they can get to fully grasp the intricacies of doing business in an environment so different from their home market. Conferences and forums provide a valuable venue in which to obtain this much needed information.

The third annual AutoRussia conference, an international forum for companies participating in the automotive business in Russia or globally, is scheduled to take place on December 4 and 5 at the Astoria Hotel in St Petersburg. More than 300 senior representatives; leading figures in Russia’s automotive manufacturing sector, including leading OEM projects in the St Petersburg area, as well as senior representatives from auto OEMs and T1s around the world, will meet at the conference to discuss their current projects and future plans.

A focus on sourcing & supplier localisation in Russia will be led by executives from global OEMs during the roundtable discussion groups held on the afternoon of December 4. Top purchasing and supply chain executives will answer delegates’ questions and the groups will provide a less formal atmosphere to facilitate networking.

Supplier localisation, quality and supply chain issues will be addressed by senior representatives from Lear, Tenneco and Intercos IV. The conference will also welcome a delegation of senior purchasing and supply chain professionals from General Motors Russia, who will be networking and answering delegates’ questions on December 4.

Why put AutoRussia 2007 in your diary? – Russia, and St Petersburg in particular, is one of the key destinations for business investment for automotive businesses the world over. Most global automotive companies are currently working on their strategy for business growth in Russia. The AutoRussia conference provides direct access to current and future decision makers in Russia’s auto manufacturing sector and brings attendees closer to the growing centre of the automotive industry. Further information can be found at www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia.

Taking place in the following January is the inaugural AutoUkraine 2008 conference, to be held at the SAS Radisson Hotel in Kiev on January 29. The conference is designed to attract an international audience of automotive professionals from OEMs, T1s and T2 suppliers in Ukraine, Russia and globally.

With more and more OEMs and T1 suppliers developing strategies and establishing production facilities in Ukraine, and given the central position of the country in Europe, Ukraine is quickly becoming a key investment location for global OEMs, T1 and T2 suppliers. AutoUkraine 2008 is dedicated to ensuring that the top managers of the Ukrainian automotive sector meet with the western automotive investors and customers. The conference will offer multiple networking opportunities and give all participants a chance to get strategic information and find new partners in the country.

Over 100 delegates, senior executives from OEMs and their suppliers in the Ukraine and globally will have a chance to: Meet and network with key Ukrainian government officials, hear strategic information from key automotive producers in Ukraine, find partners and suppliers in Ukraine, learn more about the opportunities and challenges of investing in Ukraine, examine first hand market and production conditions, and obtain tips from ‘pioneers’ – companies with experience of investing in Ukraine

Further information about AutoUkraine 2008 can be found at www.wbr.co.uk/autoukraine. Additional information on either of these events can also be obtained by contacting Amir Sebahat, Marketing Director, AutoRussia/AutoUkraine at WBR at amir.sebahat@wbr.co.uk