GSCW chat: Auto suppliers adapt to supply chain constraints

‘Visibility is becoming key,’ Torqata VP says

(Photo: FreightWaves)

This fireside chat recap is from Day 4 of FreightWaves’ Global Supply Chain Week.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: How automotive suppliers have addressed supply chain constraints.

DETAILS: FreightWaves analyst Tony Mulvey chats with Rak-Joon Choi about how the automotive industry, from OEMs to aftermarket equipment manufacturers, has faced significant disruptions while undergoing a new wave of technological advancements. 

SPEAKER: Choi is the vice president of business development and strategic partners at Torqata.

BIO: Before joining Torqata, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, Choi worked at IBM for nearly 10 years. Choi has experience with software business development, product management, strategy and blockchain. 



KEY QUOTES FROM CHOI:

“Visibility is becoming key. Being able to see upstream on supply plans as well as coordinating downstream logistics have all become a very, very big issue, and whoever has better visibility will be able to respond faster and plan against it so that the disruptions coming from these events will be minimized to keep the business thriving.”

“If you look at the winners of COVID, those are everybody who had the foresight to say, ‘This is probably how my supply chain will be disrupted and here’s what my data shows me and this is how I plan to respond to those things.’”

“We’re figuring out more ways to build sustainability transparency into the ecosystem. Addressing those issues also comes hand in hand with business performance. Let’s say we’re making our routes more efficient. That will reduce our logistics costs, that will be good for the business, but also reduce the amount of truckloads of shipments that need to happen. So that will reduce carbon emissions as well.”

Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Alyssa Sporrer.

GSCW chat: Embracing automation in 2022

UPS planning shipment visibility push, CEO says

DSC chat: What does sustainability mean for supply chains?

Report: Zero-emission truck deployment ‘quite low’ but ramping up

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Alyssa Sporrer

Alyssa is a staff writer at FreightWaves, covering sustainability news in the freight and supply chain industry, from low-carbon fuels to social sustainability, emissions & more. She graduated from Iowa State University with a double major in Marketing and Environmental Studies. She is passionate about all things environmental and enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and soccer.