Point S launches its first Next Generation campus in France, uniting 80 young automotive leaders from 10 countries for leadership training, future tech insights, and collaborative innovation to shape the industry’s transformation.
Shaping the Next Generation of Automotive Leaders
Point S International has made history with the launch of its inaugural Next Generation Campus, taking place from September 1st to 5th in Provence, France. This pioneering initiative brings together 80 young people from across 10 European countries, representing the emerging generation of leaders within Point S member companies, which are family-owned independent tyre and parts businesses entering their third generation.
The four-day campus addresses a critical challenge facing the automotive industry today: preparing the next generation of family business leaders for an unprecedented period of market transformation.
Unlike previous generations who could rely on established business models, today’s young leaders must navigate workforce shortages, evolving customer expectations, and the automotive industry’s biggest technological mutation in its entire history. The campus recognises that parents can transfer traditional business knowledge but cannot prepare their children for challenges that didn’t exist during their own leadership tenure.
Equipping Young Leaders with Skills and Future-Ready Automotive Insights
Participants fall into three distinct categories: those completing their studies before joining the family business, current employees preparing for leadership transitions, and recent leaders who have just assumed control of their companies.
The programme offers comprehensive management training and personal development specifically designed to help young leaders establish legitimacy and authority within family businesses, while developing management styles suited to their individual personalities and business contexts.
A central focus of the campus involves examining the future of automotive technology through expert speakers from car manufacturers who will present insights on vehicle development over the next decade.
Industry specialists will share perspectives on how Point S workshops must evolve their expertise and service offerings to meet changing customer expectations, including the transition from traditional mechanics to electric vehicle technicians and the integration of advanced diagnostic machinery and connected tyre technologies.
Driving Innovation and Building a Pan-European Leadership Network
Innovation workshops will challenge participants to envision the future of Point S operations through collaborative brainstorming sessions. Working groups of ten people will develop concepts for new services and reimagine store organisation, architecture, and customer experience for the next decade.
A jury will select the most compelling vision, and the winning team will present their ideas to all Point S European members at the annual conference.
Beyond professional development, the campus emphasises building an alumni network among Europe’s young automotive leaders.
Despite language barriers, which will be addressed through professional translation services during formal sessions, participants will connect through sports activities, social events, and informal networking opportunities. This community-building aspect recognises that the automotive industry’s future success depends on collaboration and knowledge-sharing across markets and cultures.
Preparing Leaders Today for the Automotive Industry’s Transformation Tomorrow
Fabien Bouquet, Point S International CEO, commented, “The automotive industry is facing its biggest transformation in history, and traditional business knowledge alone won’t prepare the next generation for what’s ahead. Parents can teach their children how to run today’s business, but they can’t prepare them for challenges that didn’t exist during their own leadership journey.
This campus bridges that gap, bringing together young leaders from across Europe to learn, innovate, and build the networks they’ll need to lead our industry through the next decade of change.”
The initiative reflects Point S International’s commitment to supporting member profitability through strategic foresight and adaptation. While Point S businesses currently maintain strong growth and profitability, the organisation acknowledges that existing business models face disruption from market mutations.
By investing in next-generation leadership development, Point S ensures its European network remains positioned to navigate industry transformation while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus that has driven the network’s success across multiple generations.
