"The automotive sector is a pioneer in supply systems and also has the highest percentage of outsourcing of logistics activities". This is the opinion of José Antonio Alfaro, coordinator of the workshop "Logistics, a factor core topic in the evolution of the automotive sector", which was held at the University of Navarra. The meeting, organized by the School of Economics and Logistics Navarra, was attended by professionals with responsibilities in large factories.

Vicente Carricas, director general of Logística Navarra, pointed out that "we cannot overlook the fact that all decisions on expansions and the creation of new factories are always based on a generally subcontracted materials supply model , and that the trend in recent years for first-tier suppliers to be located close to the factories is the result of production models based on highly complex logistics".

The objectives of the workshop are to "bring students closer to both the automotive and logistics sectors, which is being incorporated into the curricula due to the vital importance it is gaining in the field of Economics", as explained José Antonio Alfaro, who explained that the meeting is also open to professionals of the business.

Strategic decisions of the automobile companies

For his part, Vicente Carricas stated that "logistics is clearly influencing all the strategic decisions of large automotive companies, and logistics service companies count this sector as the first in their volume of activity".

During the meeting , Hermenegildo Marrodán, member of the Executive committee of Volkswagen Navarra and director of Logistics; César García Verdous, director of Purchasing of General Motors-Fiat; and Manuel Berlanga, specialist in logistics and production development intervened.

The workshop was framed within the agreement of partnership between Logística Navarra and School of Economics of the University of Navarra, which allows, according to José Antonio Alfaro, "that students of Business Administration and Economics acquire knowledge in the areas of production, logistics, management of inventories and supply, due to the growing importance of these activities in the field of business".