Industry Leaders to Gather in Birmingham Michigan for Advanced Technology Council Forum on Rare Earth Magnets and Supply Chain Transformation

Highlights

• MEMA ATC forum on June 18, 2026 brings together automotive suppliers and tech executives to address critical mineral supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Jack Lifton of the Critical Minerals Institute will present on the history and future of rare earth magnets powering EVs, defense, and aerospace.
• AlixPartners, Porsche Consulting, and Niterra North America will offer insights on automotive trends, China Speed strategies, and magnet supply resilience.
• The event reflects growing urgency across North American industry to reduce dependence on foreign rare earth processing and magnet production.

At a time when critical mineral supply chains have become a focal point of industrial strategy, national security, and automotive innovation, the MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers Advanced Technology Council (opens in a new tab) (ATC) will convene leading experts, automotive suppliers, and technology executives on June 18, 2026, at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, for a timely discussion on the future of advanced technologies, critical minerals, and global competitiveness.

A centerpiece of the event will be a featured presentation by Jack Lifton, Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Institute (opens in a new tab) (CMI) and one of the world's most respected voices on rare earth supply chains. Lifton's session, "Critical Minerals: Rare Earth Magnets," will examine the history, current realities, and future trajectory of the rare earth magnet sector—the foundational technology powering electric vehicles, advanced robotics, aerospace systems, renewable energy infrastructure, and modern defense platforms.

The event comes amid growing concern across North American industry regarding dependence on foreign sources for rare earth processing and magnet production. As manufacturers confront supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical uncertainty, discussions surrounding magnet security, domestic production, and industrial resilience have become increasingly urgent.

In addition to Lifton's presentation, attendees will hear insights from AlixPartners on emerging automotive technology trends and participate in a dedicated member roundtable focused on rare earth magnets, led by Mena Ghattas, Engineering Manager at Niterra North America. Porsche Consulting will also present an operations-focused session examining how "China Speed" is reshaping supplier and OEM strategies worldwide.

This event highlights a growing reality: critical minerals are no longer a niche topic. They are now central to industrial competitiveness. The automotive industry is rapidly discovering that access to magnets, processing capacity, and supply chain transparency may determine who wins and who falls behind in the next decade.

Advanced Technology Council

June 18, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Townsend Hotel, Salon IV, 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, MI 48009

Register today: REEx Marketplace™ (opens in a new tab)