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The 12th International Suppliers Fair (IZB) will provide a forum for an increased focus on dialogue from 22nd to 24th October 2024. Volkswagen ratchets up its presence at the trade fair by joining the IZB as an exhibitor with four themed stands. These so-called Volkswagen Group hubs are planned to focus on Interior & Exterior, Electronics & Connectivity, Powertrain & Battery and Metal, Car Body & Chassis. They will serve as a platform for an in-depth exchange between Volkswagen, companies from the automotive supplier industry and other partners. Tours, panel discussions and workshop formats will further deepen the dialogue on innovative solutions and projects.

“Volkswagen will once again strengthen its commitment and visibility at this year’s International Suppliers Fair,” explains Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee responsible for “Group Procurement” at Volkswagen AG and Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Procurement. “As an OEM we focus on dialogue in line with the key topic of ‘Empowering Partnerships’. IZB exhibitors can submit their own solutions for the Volkswagen Group hubs on selected aspects relating to important transformation and innovation topics and discuss them on site with experts from the entire Volkswagen Group. Our aim is to strengthen the exchange on specific projects and highlight potential for partnerships.”

Volkswagen is planning hubs on four key topics:
• Hall 1 will play host to the “Interior & Exterior” group of topics where the focus will lie on aspects of the circular economy in vehicles and supplier conditions for the closed loop.
• The “Electronics & Connectivity” hub in Hall 3 will explore issues relating to the software-defined vehicle approach of the future; likewise, an in-depth look will be taken at the use scenarios for cloud-based Car2X functionalities and the benefits for the customers.
• The focus of the “Powertrain & Battery” product group in Hall 5 will be on the topic of transformation – from combustion to electromobility – and the battery system of the future.
• In Hall 6, the “Metal, Car Body & Chassis” hub will outline three key issues: the progress towards decarbonisation with a focus on aluminium and steel materials, a no-prototype approach to development and efficient car body manufacturing of the future.

For its employees, Volkswagen will utilise guided tours, so-called ‘Walks & Talks’, on innovations and current trends at the exhibitors’ stands so their employees can attend the trade fair in a more effective manner.

Platform for partnerships on innovations
“Leveraging the extensive presence of the Volkswagen Group at this year’s IZB, we as organisers are creating important networking opportunities for both sides, from which new partnerships will emerge and existing ones will be strengthened. This is a decisive factor for the successful transformation of the entire industry and, in turn, also for the sustainable and competitive future of our automotive location,” says Thomas Krause, Spokesperson of the Board of Wolfsburg AG, the organiser of the IZB.

The IZB Live Stage in the Connecting Area in Hall 4 will provide a stage on the third day of the trade fair for reflecting on the results of the expert discussions held on the first two days of the event. Representatives from Volkswagen and companies from the automotive supplier industry will address in panel discussions the topics of the various hubs and provide an outlook on future developments and possible partnerships.

On the IZB Live Stage there will be further presentations and workshops by and with representatives of Volkswagen and exhibitors on key topics in line with this year’s overarching theme of “Empowering Partnerships” throughout the trade fair. The key topics are Sustainability, Competitiveness and Acceleration, which are three of the main aspects of managing the successful transformation of the industry.

The International Suppliers Fair (IZB)

The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) has established itself as a marketing and communication platform for suppliers along the entire automotive value chain since 2001. The event, which is organised by Wolfsburg AG and its technical partner Messe Wolfsburg, takes place every two years. More information on the event can be found at www.izb-online.com.

Picture Credits: 
Dirk Große-Loheide: Volkswagen AG
Thomas Krause: Wolfsburg AG
Foto IZB 2022 Luftbild: Wolfsburg AG