Yesterday, March 20, 2023, we hosted our LNME Forum 2023, at Sofitel the Palm. The LNME Forum 2023 is an unique platform designed to spark logistics and supply chain conversations, insights, trends, and networking. The forum featured industry professionals who had shared their insights on important topics and trends, incuding Mile Delivery, Automation, Logistics and Supply Chain in F&B, and Disruption in the Aviation Industry.
We would like to thank all the speakers, moderates, industry professionals, and of course our sponsors: UD Trucks MEENA, Al Futtaim Logistics, Swisslog Middle East and Lyve.
The event started with an opening speech by Vibha Mehta, the Editor-in-chief of Logistics News ME, followed by four panel discussions.
Panel 1: Transformation With Adaptation of Automation
Speakers:
- David Dronfield, General Manager, Swisslog Middle East.
- Alain Kaddoum, Managing Director, Savoye Middle East.
- Majda Rochdi, Marketing and Communications Director, UD Trucks Middle East.
Moderator: Marwa Kaabour, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Al Masaood.
This panel discussed how automation alters the overall engagement with people management at its foundation, on how and where people stand, with automation having the maximum influence in the future. With a fully automated workforce, every industry will significantly differ, including transportation, fleet management, and warehousing. Together, they also discussed how automation and sustainability will work together.
Panel 2: Disruption in the Aviation Industry
Speakers:
- Rajesh Menon, Regional Head of Cargo South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Cathay Pacific.
- Robin Vermaat, Chief Executive Officer, RV Consultancy.
- Andrei Diminescu, Founder & CEO of AirAI Network.
Moderator: Vibha Mehta, Editor-in-chief of Logistics News ME.
The aviation industry has significantly shifted with COVID-19, emphasizing the air cargo industry. From the adaption of digital means to coping with unforeseeable circumstances. They tapped into these factors where the insights flow in from all directions.
Panel 3: Logistics and Supply Chain in F&B
Sepakers:
- Tarek Almuhanna, Founder and Owner, SwissKnife Consultancy.
- Marwan Khalifé, Business Development Manager – MENA, LogSquare.
- Sooraj Mathew, Head of Commercial, Al Futtaim Logistics.
Moderator: Seymone Moodley, Editor-in-chief of Hotel & Catering News ME.
This panel surfaced the essentials of an efficient logistics and supply chain of F&B products. They focused on all the critical touchpoints, from cold storage to reverse supply chain techniques, and vital insights from this powerful panel.
Panel 4: Mile Delivery
Speakers::
- Bassant Zein Ahmed, Media Editor, Ports, Customs and Free Zone Coopertaion.
- Shailen Shukla, Chief Logistics Officer, PicTruc.
- Juan S. Garza, Business Director, RouteMagic Logistics.
Moderator: Aby Sam Thomas, Editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Middle East.
The panel focused on last-mile delivery and its importance in e-commerce industry. The booming e-commerce industry is shifting the shopping norms with quick deliveries and technological developments – all thanks to the prompt and accurate transportation supply chain. Additionally, this solid panel emphasised on key factors which are shaping this industry.
The panel discussions were followed by a lunch and a networking session for the industry professionals to discuss and exchange insightful information.
We will be back with another industry event soon, watch this space for all the industry updates.