Global Supply Chains under Pressure: Navigating Geopolitical Disruptions

• The world is changing: geopolitical risks and chances
• Strategies for navigating disruptions
• Building Supply Chain resilience
• The future of Supply Chain Management

Sebastian Kummer started as Researcher and Lecturer at the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar (1992 Dissertation (Phd), 1996 Habilitation). From 1996-2001 he had the Chair of business administration, esp. management of transport companies and logistics at the Dresden University of Technology.

Since 2001 he is the Head of the Institute of Transport and Logistics at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). He acts as President, Director and member of advisory boards of many scientific and industry associations. He has been a Co-Executive Director of the European section of the MIT Forum Supply Chain Innovation (2006-2011).

Sebastian Kummer has been a visiting professor at universities in Austria, China, Germany, Indonesia, Philippines, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and Vietnam. He has written more than 150 publications. His research focuses on Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management as well as on Transport Management and economical analyses of transport infrastructure and services. He works as a consultant and management trainer for companies and government bodies.

From Hype to Impact: Supply Chain Transformation in the Era of AI

• Challenges, opportunities, and requirements associated with adopting AI
• Ensure effective transformation and true value realization including the leadership role

Nedaa Agami is an experienced Data Science and Advanced Analytics professional holding a Ph.D. in Operations Research and Decision Support. At present, she is a Global Data Science Director at PepsiCo, leading Supply Chain and Operations Analytics. Nedaa had also been a former professor of Modelling and Operations Research at the Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence in Cairo University. Over the course of 18 years working across various industries and different domains including but not limited to Telecommunications, Finance and Banking, Tourism, Pharma, and CPG, Nedaa’s ability to link academia to industry has resulted into building a highly diverse portfolio of analytics services; from offering consultancy and training programs, to delivering best in class projects for which industry giants collected global awards in their fields, and achieved significant improvement in performance.

Daimler Truck’s Award-Winning Electrify Inbound Logistics Project – Winner of the 2025 VDA Logistics Award for the Use of Electric Trucks in Inbound Logistics to Daimler Truck’s German Plants

• Strategic goals and scope of the Electrify Inbound Logistics project
• Integration of electric trucks into inbound logistics operations
• Strategic placement and planning of charging infrastructure
• Key results: CO₂ reduction, efficiency gains, and operational impact
• Challenges faced and lessons learned during implementation

Christoph Kattner holds a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management and brings broad international experience across the automotive, insurance, and chemical industries. He has held leadership roles in Japan, Austria, and Germany, developing deep expertise in logistics and operations management.

Currently working in logistics strategy at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Christoph leads initiatives focused on the electrification of inbound logistics and the strategic development of supply flows to German production sites.

Driven by a passion for innovation and sustainability, Christoph is committed to advancing efficient, future-ready logistics solutions within the dynamic landscape of the automotive industry.

From Vision to Reality: How to Make Digital Transformation a Success

People Fluctuation and Motivation in Logistics

• People fluctuation – Causes and impact on everyday business
• Motivation in Logistics – What are the motivation drivers for people in logistics – shop floor & office population
• How to build a loyal and dedicated team – Focus on WH workers and drivers
• Strategies for reducing fluctuation

Vladan Lukić is a results-driven logistics professional with extensive experience in logistics, customer service, and process optimization. Currently serving as Distribution and Transport Manager at Knjaz Miloš, overseeing primary and secondary transport across Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while leading logistics customer service teams with a focus on efficiency, simplification, and talent development.

Prior to this, he built a strong career at Coca-Cola HBC, progressing through several key roles including Logistics Back-Office Lead, Customer Logistics Specialist, Logistics Excellence Specialist, and Transportation Planner. In these positions, Vladan led transportation planning teams, managed budgets and tenders, optimized distribution routes, and drove cross-functional projects to improve service and reduce costs.

Earlier in his career, he gained international logistics experience working with MUV People and Love Freightways Inc., where he specialized in dispatch, quality control, and operations coordination within the U.S. and European markets.

Vladan is known for his commitment to people development, consistently investing in coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing teams, empowering colleagues to grow while delivering outstanding business results.

IKEA Supply Chain in Transformation

• How we create a modern & more resilient logistics network with focus on our people, the customers and the climate!

Claes is based with IKEA in Basel, Switzerland, is currently leading the global Category Area Logistics within IKEA Supply, bringing experience from previous roles at the Ingka Group, including country customer fulfilment manager, deputy area manager for Asia Pacific, and DC general manager.

Claes has more than 20 years of experience in senior management level in operations & project management, retail management, supply roles and board capacities in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. He holds a BA in business management and an MBA in Marketing Management.

Converting Global Warehouses to Zero Emissions – How to Play the Game Successfully

• From strategy to implementation: One year later…. lessons learned
• Practical tips and pitfalls for large and midsize organisations
• Successful examples for new and existing warehouses

Stefan Putzlocher has over 20 years of executive experience in the premium automotive industry in the areas of Production, Research & Development and Marketing & Sales. He started his career within the Mercedes-Benz Graduate Program and continued in several management positions with strong achievements in changing existing operations, e.g. creating successful structures for McLaren Automotive logistics. Also in the United Kingdom, at Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains, which develops and produces the Formula 1 race car engines for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, he transformed purchasing and logistics into a powerful organisation.

Back in Germany, at the largest Mercedes-Benz Cars factory in Sindelfingen, he and his team successfully drove significant efficiency improvement programs in the area of production and logistics. Stefan also achieved strongly in building up teams, processes and structures for logistics operations from nil to a hundred, e.g. for the green field factory of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary.

Here in Hungary, he initiated, implemented and steered the 100% outsourced operative logistics to three service providers with around 850 staff members - the first time in this scale within the Daimler AG. Always an eye on the latest technology developments and an early adaptor and implementer of disruptive innovations, he was granted various patents in the field of logistics. Since January 2017 Stefan holds his current position, responsible for the global warehouse and facility planning within Marketing & Sales, Global Service and Parts (GSP), at Mercedes-Benz AG.

Understanding the Global Snacking Leader’s European Transportation Control Tower Approach

• Whilst pursuing a local first strategy, why does Mondelēz International plans & executes all of its European Transportation out of just 1 single location?
• Why does MDLZ believe insourcing their Control Tower remains to be the best option, when they elsewhere follow a logistics outsourcing strategy?
• How is it possible that the MDLZ Control Tower is delivering net cost savings in transportation spend for MDLZ, already 10 years straight?
• And what is next for this powerhouse of Mondelēz International’s Logistics Operations? 

Thomas Kauffmann is the director of the European Logistics Control Tower at Mondelēz International. Together with his team of 65 skilled logisticians, Thomas oversees all finished & semi-finished goods transportation, pallet movements, and customs activities for MDLZ’s impressive portfolio of iconic global and local brands across 37 countries. These brands include Milka, Oreo, Philadelphia, LU, Clif Bar, Cadbury, Toblerone, and many more.

Thomas strongly believes that by putting people first, acting as an owner, leading by example and by permanently challenging the status-quo, every company or department can achieve amazing results.

In addition to his role as director of the Logistics Control Tower, he is also part of both Mondelēz Europe’s wider Logistics Leadership Team (>800 FTEs), and the MDLZ Digital Park Leadership Team in Bratislava (>400 FTEs).

Thomas began his professional career in a transportation management role at Caterpillar Logistics and today, aged 37, he comes with 15+ years of management experience in the logistics field, both at 3PLs and Shippers. His resume list multiple logistics certifications & licenses, including for example an APICS Certification in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution (CLTD).

Thomas holds an International MBA from the Krakow University of Economics in Poland and a Master’s degree in Traffic Sciences from Hasselt University in Belgium. The latter might give away that despite his German sounding name, he is a native Belgian and that he has lived abroad for a good part of his career. Since 2021 Thomas resides in Vienna and regularly commutes to Bratislava where the Mondelēz Europe Logistics Control Tower is located.

Sustainable Operations in Contract Logistics

• Embedding sustainability within the strategic vision of a leading global logistics provider
• Case study: a tailored Contract Logistics solution developed by CEVA Logistics for a major global e-commerce brand
• Business value realized through the integration of sustainable logistics practices

With over two decades of experience in the logistics industry, Benedek has held senior roles in business development and operations management across Europe. Prior to his current role, he held senior management positions at several major European logistics companies. Benedek holds a diploma in Logistics issued by Huddersfield University. His strategic focus lies in driving his customers' business forward by delivering the right logistics solutions.

Excursion to the DECATHLON logistics centre in Hatvan 

Visitors of TRANSLOG Connect 2024 will have the opportunity to get an inside look at the DECATHLON logistics centre in Hatvan, one day prior to the event, on the 18th of November from 14:30-16:30, limited for 25 delegates only and available on a first come first serve complimentary basis.

DECATHLON, born in France in 1976 is the largest sporting goods retailer in the world, active in 72 countries and regions with over 1,700 stores, dedicated to delivering game-changing outdoor products. The history of DECATHLON in Hungary began in 2005 with the first store opened in Budaörs. In 2010, the logistics centre in Hatvan, was opened as a regional warehouse.

DECATHLON bases its European logistics system on nine separate central warehouses called CACs. They receive products from factories located globally. The goods delivered to the warehouse in Hatvan mostly come from CAC units in Northern France.

The warehouse in Hatvan focuses on two large areas in its supply chain: B2B and B2C.

B2B manages the turnover of its regional stores and supplies 47 stores in 4 countries with 24 in Hungary, 13 in Slovakia, 6 in Austria, and 4 in Serbia. The responsibilities also include the periodic supply of the Turkish warehouse located near Istanbul. The 34,000 m² warehouse area currently consists of five halls, equipped with robotic areas based on GEEK+ technology, high-bay, shelf-row, RFID technology and AGV units. 1,100 installed shelf units are moved by 110 AGV robots. The shelves are filled at the put away stations and customer needs are served through the 12 picking stations.

B2C processes are used to service orders received via online channels. On about 4,000 m², 60 colleagues perform these tasks. Nowadays, the proportion of orders arriving in this area is divided between 75% and 25% between the Hungarian and Slovak markets.

TRANSFER: The bus will leave from the entrance of the Marriott Budapest Hotel on 18^th November at 13:00 and will return after the visit at approximately 18:00.