2010 will be a seminal year for the automotive logistics industry in Europe.

2009, the year of the global automotive crisis, is forcing many changes in the industry. Carmakers, parts suppliers and logistics companies have reshaped their businesses, their strategies and their logistics to prepare for a new automotive landscape.

The Automotive Logistics Europe conference is no different. You will have noticed that we have moved to a new home in Koenigswinter, near Bonn in Germany.

This change has been made at the request of the industry. The stunning new location offers better accessibility, better conference facilities, and gives us the capabilities to introduce some great new opportunities for the attendees and therefore the European automotive industry.

As a frequent meeting place for many heads of state and royalty, the Steigenberger Grandhotel Petersberg has a marvellous history of bringing the leading decision makers in Europe together. We intend to carry on this tradition in our own sector.

But while the venue has changed, the familiar, open and special ambience of our past conferences in Montreux will remain. Montreux was a great home for us for many years, and we have gained valuable memories and lessons from the many informative sessions and top-knotch speakers. Montreux was the birthplace of many new ideas in the European automotive logistics industry, and brought together thousands of new contacts, and indeed, led to many a signed contract.

But 2010 will not be a year for thinking back, but for looking forward.

It will be a time for reshaping and recovering.