• Point S launches first ever Next Generation campus, bringing 80 young automotive leaders from 10 countries together in France.
• The programme focuses on leadership training and future automotive technology, preparing family business successors for industry transformation
• Participants will develop innovative service concepts through collaborative workshops, with winning ideas presented to the entire European network.
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.
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.
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. The most compelling vision will be selected by a jury, with the winning team invited to present their ideas to all Point S European members at the network’s 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.
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.
About Point S
Founded in 1971, Point S is the world’s largest independent network of vehicle maintenance specialists. Point S offers a diverse range of premium quality products, services and solutions for vehicle maintenance, boasting 54 years of history and a retail concept that has been implemented on five continents. With over 6,500 Points of Sale, the company is present in 51 countries around the world and employs more than 31,700 people.
Website: www.point-s-group.com
Point S Press Contact for international:
Muriel Clarke, International Brand Direction, POINT S GROUP, Alianco
muriel.clarke@point-s-international.com +41 79