The esteemed French institution and the automaker have recently joined forces with Cermics, a center specializing in applied mathematics and cutting-edge research, to enhance their research on supply chain functionality. Denis Le Vot, the key figure in Renault Group’s supply chain management, and Anthony Briant, the director of École des Ponts ParisTech, inked a new five-year agreement on November 24 to strengthen their partnership and accelerate advancements in supply chain management leveraging artificial intelligence.
To tackle the challenges posed by digitization and the processing of vast amounts of data, the collaboration will focus on utilizing machine learning, operational research, and generative AI. Renault Group envisions that this ongoing partnership will facilitate the development of ambitious reports addressing specific logistical optimization hurdles.
Renault Group has established a supply chain framework that integrates extensive monitoring and decision-making tools, underpinned by artificial intelligence, with the aim of enhancing value for customers while reducing costs, inventory levels, and environmental impact. This transition is accompanied by new work methodologies and a deepening of expertise.
This collaboration marks the longest contract the automaker has ever entered into with an academic institution, signaling a commitment to leveraging Cermics’ expertise for sustained enhancements over an extended period.
In recent years, Renault Group has placed a strong emphasis on digitalization in its supply chain advancements. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive program to streamline production and supply chain processes, the automaker embarked on a two-year project to outfit 2,400 hectares of facilities with the necessary communication infrastructure to achieve real-time operational visibility.
Through the establishment of a digital control center in partnership with leading tech firms and the integration of public data, information from Google Cloud, and real-time transport data from Shippeo, Renault extended its digital capabilities to transportation operations. This facility enables improved inbound and outbound flow management, as well as the ability to forecast and mitigate supply chain disruptions effectively.
At the Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe event earlier this year, Jean-François Salles, the Vice President of Partnerships at Renault Group, emphasized the pivotal role of systems like the command center, AI, and digital tools in making supply chain and logistics integral to decision-making within the company. He highlighted the capacity of such systems to anticipate risks, collaborate with stakeholders including tier-one suppliers and carriers, and leverage AI-generated insights to proactively address challenges.
Axel Parmentier, a distinguished educator and researcher at Cermics, will oversee the renewed partnership between the European OEM and provide guidance on the academic aspects of the collaboration. The research endeavors are poised to enhance operational practices by leveraging sophisticated mathematical techniques, such as large-scale data-driven sequential optimization and machine learning.
