Digital Collaboration is no longer optional: Insights from Kevin Piotrowski, CTO at AIAG

Mr Piotrowski, for those unfamiliar with AIAG, could you briefly introduce the organization and its mission?

AIAG is the global automotive industry’s collaborative hub — uniting OEMs, suppliers, and service providers to create best-in-class processes for quality, supply chain, and sustainability. By fostering open collaboration and shared expertise, we drive progress and empower companies of all sizes to shape the future of automotive excellence.

Our Mission is simple - To unite and guide automotive’s brightest minds to drive global excellence through collaborative solutions — grounded in neutrality — that establish best-in-class standards for current and emerging challenges to enhance manufacturing quality, supply chain efficiency, and corporate responsibility.

AIAG has been shaping industry standards for decades. What are some of the most impactful initiatives you have led?

AIAG was formed in 1982 to elevate global automotive excellence - by fostering a trusted platform for collaboration that enables the brightest minds to create best-in-class standards, ensuring a safer and more sustainable industry for all.

AIAG has had many impactful initiatives over the years that has saved the overall industry billions of dollars – here are just a few of the more prominent ones:

Bar Codes — in 1984, AIAG revolutionized labelling technology by introducing a single bar code symbology and the first bar code standard, replacing dozens of OEM-specific codes that had been creating inefficiency across the industry.

Electronic Data Interchange — in 1988, AIAG and our members helped standardize formats and protocols for effective e-commerce by publishing the first EDI implementation guides and aligning EDI standards with the Accredited Standards Committee, ASC X12.

Quality Core Tools — these are the building blocks of effective quality management and include Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Control Plan (CP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Measurement System Analysis (MSA). Now widely adopted across the automotive industry and many others, the Quality Core Tools were developed by AIAG in collaboration with U.S. automakers in the 1990s.

MMOG/LE — is the Materials Management Operations Guidelines/Logistical Evaluation, a guideline used by OEMs around the world to understand supplier quality – many require it and will not source without it. MMOG/LE was launched by AIAG and Odette International in 2004.

Guiding Principles — these define expectations for environmental, social, and governance responsibility consistent with applicable laws and international standards, and they began with AIAG and our members in 2008.

Congratulations on being named the North America hub for Catena-X! What does this milestone mean for AIAG and the industry?

Thank you!  As the exclusive Catena-X hub for North America, AIAG is here to help our members plug into this next wave of global digital infrastructure. We’re…

Ensuring Catena-X standards and solutions meet our member’s needs — representing North America as part of the Catena-X Extended Board of Directors.

Providing training and guidance to help our members join the network and get the most value out of Catena-X.

And we’ll be bringing OEMs, suppliers, and solution provider partners together to pilot the most valuable use cases for the places and ways they do business.

Why is Catena-X crucial for the automotive sector in the U.S., and what makes AIAG the ideal partner for this role?

The automotive industry is entering a new era where digital collaboration is no longer optional — it’s essential. Catena-X is the first open, secure, and standardized data ecosystem purpose-built for the entire automotive value chain. It represents a fundamental shift from fragmented, manual, and one-to-one data exchanges to a unified, future-ready network where every participant — OEMs, suppliers of all tiers, and service providers — can seamlessly and securely share information.

This Is important because Catena-X changes the game by providing some incredible new advantages, like…

One Connected Network: Catena-X brings together companies of all sizes onto a single, interoperable platform. No more silos, no more custom integrations—just one secure environment where everyone speaks the same “data language.”

Data Sovereignty and Security: Unlike traditional systems, Catena-X gives you full control over your data. You decide what to share, with whom, and when. Permission-based, encrypted exchanges ensure sensitive information is always protected.

Standardization at Scale: Catena-X uses globally recognized standards, making it easy to connect, comply, and collaborate across borders and technologies.

Real-World Impact: From product carbon footprint tracking and end-to-end traceability to collaborative quality management and battery passporting, Catena-X unlocks new value, accelerates innovation, and helps you meet fast-evolving regulatory and market demands.

Enables Future-Ready with AI: Catena-X gives you secure, real-time data you can trust—ready to use with your company’s own AI and analytics tools. Turn information into predictive insight to anticipate risks, prevent problems, and dramatically drive quality and efficiency across your operations.

Catena-X offers use cases like Product Carbon Footprint, Battery Passport or quality management. Which do you see gaining the most traction in North America?

In North America our Core Hub and SME Teams (made up of OEMs, Suppliers, and Solution Providers) have prioritized Certificate Management (to get started), Supply Chain Traceability / Resiliency / Mapping (related to Forced Labor, Tariffs, etc.), Demand and Capacity Management, and Quality Management, Detection and Improvement as the top Use Cases to focus on.  We are also working on pilots regarding Product Carbon Footprint and the Battery Passport as well.

How can companies get involved or learn more about joining the Catena-X ecosystem through AIAG?

That is simple – Join AIAG and get engaged with our teams and connect with our experts.  

As a member of AIAG, you gain more than access — you gain an edge. By joining our collaborative hub, you become part of a diverse and dynamic community where industry professionals convene to tackle today’s most pressing challenges and create unified solutions.

Next - attend our Catena-X Event - On May 21, 2026, at Elevate in Detroit for the event where data collaboration becomes real, actionable, and unstoppable.  This isn't just another conference. It's where the industry's boldest thinkers and doers unite to:

Get the inside track on Catena-X requirements and next moves-hear directly from OEMs, Tier 1s, and network leaders shaping the future in North America.

Dive into the most urgent, high-impact use cases, handpicked by our Core and SME teams, and see what's working (and what's next).

Get hands-on with the AIAG Readiness Booster Program-your launchpad for rapid onboarding, practical training, and certification.

Connect, challenge, and collaborate with the people driving Catena-X adoption across the value chain-no matter your tier or digital starting point.

As Chief Transformational Officer, what excites you most about this new chapter for AIAG?

For me personally – it is an area where I can make a difference and help both the industry and AIAG, and it is a lot of fun to be part of something cutting edge.  I was heavily involved with EDI and Bar Coding in the 80’s and now nearly 40 years later with Catena-X.

As an industry, we know that data drives us ahead. Rapid changes in regulations and expectations demand an increasing amount of data. By 2030, the automotive industry will need to trace over one billion data points globally to advance quality, supply chain, and corporate responsibility.  Beyond meeting regulations and demand, our industry will continue to need fast, accurate data to drive efficiency, innovation — and every important decision.  We are excited and proud to be the official powerhouse Catena-X Hub for North America.

To learn more – visit us at: AIAG.ORG