ECM Developer

AI environmental impact: data center emissions threaten climate benefits. AI in Automotive Manufacturing: how HARMAN and FORVIA HELLA Are Scaling AI Use Cases at Automotive News Congress 2026. September 28, 2026 AI in Automotive Manufacturing - Arch Systems, the manufacturing intelligence platform powering AI agents on factory shop floors, announced that two automotive manufacturers it is working with, HARMAN Automotive and FORVIA HELLA, will join a panel at Automotive News Congress 2026 on how manufacturers are scaling AI use cases that actually deliver results on the plant floor. Business news The session, "How Automotive Manufacturers Are Scaling the AI Use Cases That Work," is moderated by Arch Systems CTO and Co-Founder Tim Burke. It brings together operations and engineering leaders, Don Barnes, Vice President of Manufacturing Excellence, HARMAN Automotive, and Sven Hoenecke, CEO, FORVIA HELLA Americas, two tiers of the automotive supply chain, to share what it takes to turn AI pilots into measurable, repeatable outcomes. Discover more Medical electronics devices Semiconductor innovation news This session gives manufacturing leaders a direct look at how AI is improving uptime, throughput, and quality today, and what it takes to scale a working use case across lines, plants, and operations. HARMAN: Proven Results at Scale HARMAN, the automotive technology leader and subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., partnered with Arch Systems to deploy the Arch Factory Intelligence Platform across its global electronics manufacturing network, beginning with a lighthouse deployment at its Suzhou, China facility. Documented results from the deployment: * Approximately 30% growth in total placements across four manufacturing sites * Approximately 37% improvement in Defects Per Million Units (DPMU) * 6 to 8 percentage-point improvement in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across multiple sites The joint initiative, "Scaling Factory Intelligence with Agentic AI," was named a finalist for the 2026 Automotive News PACE Award. AR VR technology "For us, AI is an enabler to drive quality and productivity across our manufacturing sites, while improving transparency and creating greater synergies across our global operations. Our collaboration with Arch Systems is helping us advance that journey, supported by HARMAN's strong culture of continuous improvement and our teams' willingness to embrace change," said Don Barnes, Vice President of Manufacturing Excellence, HARMAN Automotive. FORVIA HELLA: AI in Action on the Line FORVIA HELLA, a global Tier 1 automotive electronics and lighting manufacturer, recently began a pilot with Arch Systems focused on real-time downtime labeling and AI-driven root-cause analysis across SMT lines. On stage, Sven Hoenecke will address what has to be true structurally before AI can scale across a global plant network, how AI, automation, and robotics combine to solve labor constraints in electronics manufacturing, and the lessons learned from putting AI to work in a highly quality-driven production environment. "At FORVIA HELLA, we are focused on scaling AI where it creates measurable business impact," says Sven Hoenecke, President and CEO of FORVIA HELLA Electronics, Americas. "With a connected manufacturing network, a dedicated transformation organization, and a clear focus on business value, we are turning AI into measurable improvements in quality, productivity, and resilience across our global operations." Event Details Automotive News Congress 2026 Electronics components Panel: How Automotive Manufacturers Are Scaling the AI Use Cases That Work Date: September 29, 2026 Time: 12:40 PM Discover more Semiconductor rectifiers

Rich Vreeland named Harman Western Regional Sales Manager. NORTHRIDGE, CA (09.11.26) - All are excited to welcome Rich Vreeland to the Harman Consumer North America Aftermarket Audio Sales team, effective August 24, 2026. Rich is located in Texas and will report directly to Shawn Spedding. Rich will be responsible for driving sales growth across the Western region, strengthening relationships with current dealers and distributors, and identifying opportunities to expand its dealer network. He will also play an important role in product education and training, sales presentations and demonstrations, dealer and industry events, and supporting new product launches across HARMAN's mobile aftermarket portfolio. Rich brings more than 30 years of experience in the automotive electronics, consumer electronics, and aftermarket audio industries, with an extensive background in regional sales leadership, dealer development, training, and business growth. Most recently, he served as Regional Sales Manager at Garmin, managing a territory of approximately 190 retailers and helping integrate JL Audio dealers and programs into Garmin. Prior to Garmin, Rich spent six years as Area Sales Director for JL Audio, where he managed the Western region across 18 states and worked closely with mobile and home audio representative firms and key dealers. "Please join us in welcoming Rich and providing your full support" Shawn Spedding Director of Sales, Mobile Audio Aftermarket Consumer Audio, Americas Lifestyle Audio stated.

HARMAN Appoints Dr. Thomas Irawan as Chief Operating Officer, Automotive TMCnet News [September 03, 2026] | / | HARMAN Appoints Dr. Thomas Irawan as Chief Operating Officer, Automotive HARMAN International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and a global technology company delivering AI-enabled products, software and orchestrated experiences across automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, today announced that Dr. Thomas Irawan will join the company on October 1, 2026, as Chief Operating Officer and President Designate, HARMAN Automotive. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260903125933/en/ In this new role, Dr. Irawan will provide operational leadership for HARMAN Automotive, overseeing the division's day-to-day execution and business performance. He will also become a member of HARMAN's Senior Leadership Team. Christian Sobottka, HARMAN Chief Executive Officer, will continue to serve as President of HARMAN Automotive, leading the division's long-term strategy, major transformation initiatives, the planned integration of the ZF ADAS business following closing, and strategic customer and partner relationships. As part of a planned leadership transition, Dr. Irawan will progressively assume responsibility for the division's operational leadership and business performance. As the automotive industry shifts toward AI-enabled, software-defined vehicle experiences, competitive advantage increasingly depends on how seamlessly technologies come together for automakers and consumers. HARMAN is uniquely positioned to bring together AI, sftware, connectivity, cockpit technologies and advanced engineering into integrated solutions-and Dr. Irawan's appointment strengthens the company's ability to execute that vision. "The next generation of automotive innovation will be defined by execution," said Christian Sobottka, CEO of HARMAN and President, HARMAN Automotive. "Thomas brings the rare combination of strategic vision, operational excellence and deep software expertise needed to lead a business of HARMAN Automotive's scale and ambition. Together, this leadership model strengthens our ability to execute at speed, grow with our customers and shape the next era of intelligent mobility." Dr. Irawan joins HARMAN from ETAS, a global provider of automotive software, middleware and development solutions, where he serves as President and Chairman. During his career at ETAS and Bosch, he has held senior leadership positions spanning software-defined vehicle technologies, advanced driver assistance systems, manufacturing, quality, and global operations. He has led major business transformations and business growth initiatives. Beginning October 1, Dr. Irawan will assume operational leadership of HARMAN Automotive, with responsibility for the division's operating cadence, execution and business performance across its Intelligent Cockpit, Car Audio, Connectivity, and Automotive Engineering Services businesses, as well as Global Customer Groups. Following completion of the pending acquisition of the ZF ADAS business, that organization is also expected to become part of his operational responsibilities. "HARMAN has a unique ability to translate rapidly evolving consumer expectations into automotive technologies with the quality, reliability and engineering excellence our customers expect," said Dr. Irawan. "I'm excited to join the team as we expand our capabilities, deepen our customer partnerships and deliver experiences that are safer, more intuitive and more rewarding for drivers and passengers." About Dr. Thomas Irawan * Joins HARMAN on October 1, 2026, as Chief Operating Officer, HARMAN Automotive. * Most recently served as President and Chairman of ETAS. * Brings extensive leadership experience across software-defined vehicles, ADAS, manufacturing, quality and global operations. * Has led global software organizations, operational transformations and strategic business growth initiatives throughout his career. * Will become a member of HARMAN's Senior Leadership Team. About HARMAN HARMAN is a global leader in Lifestyle Audio and Automotive technology. Fog Computing World create intelligent experiences that enrich people's lives on the road, in their homes, on the stage, and everywhere in between. Its iconic audio brands - including JBL(R), Harman Kardon(R), AKG(R), Bowers & Wilkins(R), Denon(R), and Marantz(R)- bring premium sound to consumers and audio/visual professionals worldwide. More than 50 million vehicles globally rely on HARMAN's technologies to deliver safer, smarter, and more intuitive in-cabin experiences. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., HARMAN has approximately 27,000 employees around the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260903125933/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage] |