At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

Are APIs the future of automotive data exchange? Fred Coe, the chair of AIAG’s business-to-business committee and Global B2B and Portal Leader at General Motors, believes they might be.

In this episode of Auto Supply Chain Prophets, Fred joins Jan Griffiths and Terry Onica to explain why APIs are stirring up excitement in the auto industry — and why they’re not quite ready to push EDI aside just yet.

With decades of EDI history on their backs, supply chains are now looking to APIs for a faster, more flexible way to move data across tiers. Fred shares insights from other industries already using APIs, from healthcare to retail, and talks about Europe’s early steps to standardize APIs in automotive logistics.

As the auto industry prepares to catch up, AIAG is launching a survey to gather industry feedback on EDI and API integration. This is an opportunity for the entire industry to share their input—every voice matters, from IT staff to supply chain leaders.

Tune in to learn how APIs could reshape data exchange in the automotive world, and don’t miss Fred’s parting advice for supply chain leaders: Understand every link in your chain, from tier one to the end. And as Terry reminds us, please don’t forget to complete the upcoming survey to help shape the future of EDI!

Themes discussed in this episode:

• How Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has evolved and continues to play a critical role in the industry’s data processes
• The potential of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to complement and, in some cases, replace certain EDI functions, allowing for faster, real-time data exchange
• The need for unified standards across OEMs and suppliers to avoid fragmented systems, especially with the introduction of new technologies
• Balancing the adoption of new technologies like APIs with the existing EDI infrastructure
• What a standardized, API-enhanced data landscape could mean for efficiency, cost savings, and competitive advantage in the automotive industry
• How other industries (like healthcare and retail) and regions (mainly Europe) that are using APIs, and what the automotive industry can learn from them
• How leadership engagement and buy-in are crucial for successfully implementing and standardizing new technologies in the supply chain

Featured on this episode:

Name: Fred Coe

Title: Chair, AIAG EDI Advisory Group; Global B2B and Portal Leader, General Motors

About: Fred Coe is a global thought leader in EDI and automotive supply chain operations, known for driving complex eCommerce transformations across industries like manufacturing, retail, energy, and healthcare. With a consultative and inclusive approach, Fred has led GM’s B2B Center of Excellence to deliver industry-leading solutions, building strong relationships with stakeholders at every level. Passionate about fostering value, developing future leaders, and elevating customer service, Fred’s leadership has shaped business innovations and set new standards for operational excellence.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast. Today, we are taking a break. This episode will air on November 4th, and both Terry and I will be at the QAD Transform conference. So we're very excited to meet with supply chain professionals, IT leaders, and business leaders, and we're going to talk about one of our favorite subjects: transformation.

Yes, we will. So stay tuned because we'll be talking about it in future podcast episodes. So take a moment and go back through our back catalog. If you haven't heard the episodes with some of our guests like, Beth Crowley, Chief Resilience Officer and President of the Crowley Group. She talks about why every supply chain needs an army of problem solvers.

And then, we move across the pond to the UK. We interviewed John McClellan Grant, the regional engagement manager for SMMT, and we talked about what's happening in the UK auto industry. And then, of course, our one and only Jim Liegghio from AIAG, in episode 64, talks about leading the charge and building tomorrow's supply chain leaders.

One of our favorite episodes, way back in episode 54, is Shiv Taylor. We talk about the comeback at Volta Truck. There's a lot in our back catalog. Check it out, and we'll be back with a fresh new episode in two weeks. Until then, take care.

Mentioned in this episode:

• QAD Transform Americas
• Episode with Beth Crowley: Why Every Supply Chain Needs an Army of Problem Solvers
• Episode with John McLellan-Grant: SMMT’s Role in Shaping UK Automotive Supply Chain
• Episode with Jim Liegghio: Leading the Charge: Building Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Leaders
• Episode with Shiv Tailor: Volta Truck's Electrifying Comeback to EV Business

Please visit this link to access our complete collection of podcast episodes.

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

We're no strangers to challenges in the auto industry, especially when it comes to supply chain management. We've seen it all in the US with our OEMs and Tier One suppliers, but what about across the pond in the UK?

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, we bring in John McLellan-Grant from SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) to explore SMMT’s role in shaping the future of the UK auto sector and the current state of the industry.

SMMT isn't just any trade association; it has been the backbone of the UK's automotive industry since 1902, bringing together nearly 900 members, from OEMs to raw materials suppliers. Their mission? To lead the way in industry transformation and ensure the UK stays competitive in the global auto market.

John sheds light on how they tackle issues like post-Brexit labor shortages, the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), and the race toward decarbonization. Whether it's helping companies pivot to sustainable practices or guiding them through regulatory changes, SMMT is at the heart of the UK's automotive transformation.

But it's not all smooth sailing. John talks about the growing pains in EV adoption—yes, even in the UK, where some places still struggle to offer enough petrol stations, let alone charging stations. Yet, despite the hurdles, there's progress, from the rise of Gigafactories to bold new energy initiatives aimed at future-proofing the industry.

What stands out? The importance of trust and transparency. John believes that open communication between suppliers, OEMs, and the government is key to solving problems faster and smarter. His advice to supply chain leaders? Embrace collaboration like never before—because it's the only way forward in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The role of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) as a key trade association in the UK automotive sector, including its membership and activities
• The current state of automotive manufacturing in the UK, highlighting British-owned manufacturers and the sector's overall health
• The industry's focus on sustainability, covering energy use, carbon reduction, and working groups promoting sustainable practices in the supply chain
• The importance of collaboration between SMMT and other organizations, like regional automotive alliances and international associations
• How the automotive industry is embracing technology for transformation, especially the shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs)
• SMMT's strategy to support members with electrification challenges, supply chain diversification, and trade relationships after Brexit
• Challenges in the EV transition, including infrastructure, battery manufacturing, and the need for effective government support

Featured on this episode:

Name: John McLellan-Grant

Title: Regional Engagement Manager, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

About: John McLellan-Grant is the Regional Engagement Manager at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), bringing over 20 years of experience in business development, account management, and procurement across multiple industries. His expertise lies in crafting both short- and long-term strategies that drive sales growth, enhance profitability, and streamline processes. His proven track record in high-level account management across various sectors reflects his commitment...