The German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce was delighted to welcome more than 80 guests to a sold-out Evening Forum on Disruptive Innovation on Thursday, 28 June.
The event was hosted by our Premium Partner Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific and provided the perfect opportunity to see and experience the brand-new Mercedes me store in Melbourne’s Collins Street - an exciting new concept brought to you by Mercedes-Benz and ST. Ali – and only one of 11 world-wide.
Guests were greeted with a drink and some snacks on arrival before everyone gathered downstairs to listen to the high level panel discussion on Industry 4.0 and how new technologies provide efficiencies that disrupt the global economy.
The diverse panel of experts included Jeff Connolly, CEO and Managing Director of Siemens Ltd; Alex Kingsbury, Managing Director at Additive Economics; Horst von Sanden, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd; and was moderated by Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director at Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Ltd.
Topics the panel touched on included how shared mobility will change the automotive and transport industry, the concept of hydrogen cities, and the concepts behind additive manufacturing. Questions such as “will shared car solutions slow down growth and innovation of traditional car manufacturers”, and “what other opportunities will arise for automakers, suppliers and mobility providers” were posed.
There was lively discussion surrounding the thought of converting our current gas network to build an entire city run by clean hydrogen, and the concepts of additive manufacturing increasing Australia’s global competitiveness and its role is reducing supply chain logistics.
All in all, it was a highly interesting discussion and guests had lots of questions that the moderator and panellists answered skilfully.
After the panel discussion, guests were invited to spend some more time networking and enjoying the fabulous catering and hospitality of Mercedes me and ST. Ali.
We would like to thank our members and friends for attending this event and hope that you enjoyed the evening. A very warm thank-you to Horst von Sanden and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific for hosting our group and to all speakers and the moderator for sharing their knowledge.
Mercedes me
Melbourne Mercedes me operates as a café by day, with outstanding food and beverage from partner, ST. ALi, digital touchpoints, one of a kind vehicle displays, brand specialists, and an innovative ‘Meet the Maker’ concept. The goal is to enable guests to experience the Mercedes-Benz brand in a relaxed and casual environment. Open Monday – Thursday 7am – 5pm and Friday 7am – 9pm.
Stay up to speed with all that happening at Mercedes me by signing up to the database mercedes.me/melbourne, or follow them on social media @mercedesmestore.melbourne