“Just tell us why you’re making changes.” That simple request from a Tier 2 supplier at an AIAG conference says everything about where the automotive supply chain still struggles.
The supply base still faces a lack of basic communication. Data is also slow to move, locked in outdated systems, or scattered across formats. Catena-X aims to address these issues.
In this episode, Jan Griffiths, Jim Liegghio, and Terry Onica sit down with Kevin Piotrowski, Chief Transformation Officer at AIAG, to talk about what Catena-X really is and what it means for the future of the automotive supply chain.
Kevin explains what Catena-X does. It’s a network that allows companies to share complex data across the entire supply chain, up and down multiple tiers.
Catena-X is encrypted, controlled, and designed to enable suppliers and customers to decide who sees what. It’s not your usual point-to-point system; it’s built for multi-tier collaboration.
The group gets into real examples. One supplier used Catena-X to calculate carbon footprint using actual data instead of averages and found a 46% drop in reported emissions.
And no, Catena-X isn’t replacing EDI. Kevin clarifies that EDI still works well for structured transactions like shipment notices. Catena-X handles everything that doesn’t fit neatly into that box—data that needs to be shared for visibility, not stored or processed.
They also talk about supplier overload, where small raw materials suppliers get hit with hundreds of requests for the same information. Catena-X could solve that by allowing assessments and surveys to be shared once, securely, across customers.
This isn’t just a European project. It’s a global standard, and AIAG is helping drive its rollout in North America. OEMs, suppliers, and solution providers are already getting involved, with pilot projects and certifications underway.
The episode closes with a message to listeners: this is just the start. There’s more to cover, and the team wants to hear your questions. If you want to know something about Catena-X, now’s the time to ask.
Themes discussed in this episode:
- The need to fix basic communication gaps in the automotive supply chain
- How Catena-X enables secure, multi-tier data sharing across suppliers and OEMs
- The importance of real-time data in automotive supply chains
- Why traditional data systems can’t keep up with today’s global supply chains
- The difference between structured EDI and Catena-X’s complex data exchange
- How Catena-X helps contain quality issues before they become costly recalls
- The critical role of encrypted, permission-based access in protecting supply chain IP
- What tech providers need to know about Catena-X certification and readiness
Featured on this episode:
Name: Kevin Piotrowski
Title: Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) at Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)
About: Kevin serves as Chief Transformation Officer at AIAG, where he leads enterprise-wide transformation for the world’s largest global automotive association. With decades of leadership experience in both automotive and manufacturing, including senior roles at Infor and AIAG, Kevin has built a reputation for driving innovation, strengthening collaboration, and advancing data integration across complex supply chains. His expertise spans process improvement, global operations, and large-scale technology adoption, and he’s playing a key role in...
