Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Mercedes-Benz Training Center

A special thanks to Tom Waggoner for his outstanding presentation.

To download his presentation right click this link and "Save Target As"

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International

Completing a $600 million expansion in 2004, Mercedes-Benz effectively doubled its Vance, AL plant size with a target of 160,000 vehicles annually.  In addition to the M-Class SUV, the plant began producing the R-Class, in 2005, and the GL- Class in 2006.  Production in 2006 reached over 173,000 vehicles.  How it happened is an amazing story of planning and execution to overcome major operational management challenges.

The Birmingham Chapter of APICS is pleased to have Tom Waggoner, manager of Purchasing and Supply Chain at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, present at our February PDM. Tom will be speaking on the challenges and opportunities realized during the recent launch of additional model variants and the new plant addition at the MBUSI Vance, Alabama, complex.  His unique perspective is from that of being involved in the original startup of the Vance plant as well as the doubling of its size seven years after the launch of the first M-Class.  His presentation has been delivered throughout the industry, both in Detroit and abroad. 

Tom Waggoner

Tom Waggoner is currently responsible for Purchasing and Supply Chain Management at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. Tom brings 21 years of experience within Logistics, Manufacturing, and Information Technology with 15 of those years in the automotive industry, 2 years as Vice President of Operations and Information Technology in the food ingredients manufacturing industry, and the balance of his career spent within distribution and third party logistics operations. He will provide insight that reflects the implementation of processes within technology from the original project charter for the expansion of operations in Vance, and the effectiveness of those actions from the business owner perspective.