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This episode, recorded live at the QAD Midwest Users Conference, brings together voices shaping the future of automotive supply chains. Hosts Jan Griffiths, Terry Onica, and Jim Liegghio sat down with leaders across the supply chain to explore the future of manufacturing, technology, and collaboration.

French Williams from Royal Technologies began by sharing how his company approaches automation. Rooted in a culture of “better tomorrow than today,” Royal has built a model where IT and supply chain work hand in hand, co-developing solutions that allow the company to scale and respond to customer needs.

Autokiniton’s Andy Amstuz takes the mic next. As VP of IT and president of the Midwest User Group, he explains why user groups matter. The community becomes a lifeline when challenges hit.

Autokiniton already puts real-time performance data in front of operators at every work center, proof that frontline visibility drives better decisions.

Fresh off his keynote, QAD’s new CEO, Sanjay Brahmawar, outlined his vision for ERP as a “system of action” rather than a “system of record.” He introduced QAD’s Champion AI, designed to reduce mundane work, tackle complex challenges like inventory costs, and accelerate implementations through “Champion Pace.”

For Sanjay, culture is as critical as technology. He points to Redzone’s track record — 26% productivity gains, 81% more engagement, and 35% lower attrition — as proof that empowering shop-floor teams changes the game.

Andrea Hyska and Jon Smith of Lacks Enterprises brought the conversation down to the plant level, sharing how their IT teams succeed by staying connected to the business.

From extending QMS capabilities to implementing shop floor applications, they credit a collaborative culture and hands-on leadership with making automation practical and effective.

AIAG’s Fred Coe closes with where data exchange is heading. EDI is not going away, but APIs and Catena-X will complement it, which makes standardization and supplier voices at the table urgent. He reminds listeners that shaping the future requires participation, not waiting for others to decide the direction.

By the end of the conference, a clear theme had emerged: culture drives adoption, community accelerates learning, and technology is only effective when people are fully engaged.

At this conference, the future of automotive supply chains didn’t feel theoretical; it felt like it was already being built, one conversation at a time.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The role of company culture in driving collaboration between IT, supply chain, and operations
• How automation helps tier two suppliers like Royal Technologies scale effectively and serve customers better
• The value of peer networks and user groups in supporting manufacturers through industry volatility
• Why empowering frontline workers with real-time production data strengthens decision-making on the shop floor
• The shift from ERP as a “system of record” to ERP as a “system of action” under QAD’s Champion AI vision
• Why Lacks Enterprises prioritizes teamwork and floor-level engagement to ensure technology projects succeed
• The growing importance of APIs and Catena-X in shaping the future of EDI and supply chain data exchange
• The risk suppliers face if they fail to engage in setting industry standards for connectivity and collaboration

Name: French Williams

Title: Director of IT at Royal Technologies Corp.

Discussed: [01:27] French shared how Royal Technologies approaches automation with purpose. Guided by the mission “better tomorrow than today,” the company uses collaboration between IT and supply chain to scale effectively, serve customers better, and stay ahead of change through partnerships with QAD and AIAG.

Name: Andrew Amstutz

Title: Vice President, Information Technology at Autokiniton

Discussed: [09:50] Andy talked about the value of user groups, the challenges of volatility and rising demands in the industry, and how Autokiniton empowers its frontline workers with real-time data to stay ahead.

Name: Sanjay Brahmawar

Title: CEO of QAD

Discussed: [17:21] Sanjay laid out his vision for QAD, introducing Champion AI to cut routine work, lower inventory costs, and speed ERP activation to 90 days, while stressing that culture and speed matter as much as technology.

Name: Andrea Hyska

Title: Applications Manager at Lacks Enterprises

Name: Jon Smith

Title: Director of IT at Lacks Enterprises

Discussed: [32:19] Andrea and Jon explained how Lacks Enterprises keeps IT close to the business by meeting people where they work, breaking silos, and driving projects like QMS extensions and shop floor apps that actually fit daily operations.

Name: Fred Coe

Title: Chair, AIAG EDI Advisory Group

Discussed: [38:10] Fred returned to talk about the future of EDI, APIs, and Catena X, noting both excitement and caution among suppliers. He stressed the urgent need for standardization and encouraged every tier to get involved.