All articles by Anthony Coia – Page 4
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FeatureFeeding the lean machine in North America
Efficient and growing production is putting pressure on tier suppliers to better manage their own logistics networks in North AmericaCapacity and creativityShape of things to come Balance at DraexlmaierFlexibile space useLocal goes globalIT for support Mergers and acquisitionsTier one suppliers in North America are facing both global and regional supply ...
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FeatureCaterpillar moves the earth for better distribution
The volumes and logistics capabilities of the world’s largest maker of earth-moving machinery are intertwined with global growth and government investment in its US-baseMoving high-and-heavy equipment, such as construction machinery, is a tricky and costly logistics task. Many products are outsized, requiring dedicated facilities and special permits to travel on ...
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FeatureAcceleration in North Africa
Despite parts of the region striving for greater stability, North Africa presents significant opportunities for development throughout the automotive sectorFor some carmakers, especially in Europe, North Africa represents the next great frontier. In 2012, Algeria sold 450,000 new vehicles; Egypt 288,000 units; Morocco 126,000; and Tunisia 54,000. Outside of Egypt, ...
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FeatureRenault's milestone in Morocco
In the second part of our North Africa feature, Renault's logistics director for Morocco, Alain Joyeux (pictured below) reveals that it is full-steam ahead for the carmaker as it dominates vehicle production in Morocco and the wider regionIn a region afflicted by conflict for the past few years, Morocco, though ...
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FeatureFinding the missing link in car-handling terminals
Terminal operators have been expanding their services in global markets with varying degrees of success. But in both the east and west, providers are using IT systems and new technology to improve planning and visibility.Vehicle-handling terminals are essential to the smooth and efficient flow at ports of imported or exported ...
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FeatureBehr necessities for tier one expansion
Behr America is putting logistics at the heart of its North American growth, including adding new assembly processes, changing 3PLs and increasing its use of intermodal transport
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FeaturePackaging: to own, or not to own?
What influences OEMs and suppliers in their decision to own or outsource packaging in different regions? The approaches vary considerable and depend on factors ranging from the existence or non-existence of standards, as well the types of parts flowsIN THIS STORY... Questions of ownershipReasons to outsourceRegional variationsContainer evolution The automotive ...
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FeatureFord packs for home
Ford Motor Company is looking to increase the percentage of returnable packaging and special racks that it owns by up to 50%, as the carmaker seeks to gain more control over its assets in a number of important markets around the globeVehicle manufacturers rightly consider packaging to be a vital ...
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FeatureUS road carrier survey - clear roads up ahead
Understanding current capacity;Driver recruitment;Survey results;IT investment;Used cars. A survey of vehicle hauliers in the US reveals most are investing in equipment, drivers and technology, but many are concerned about costs and regulation. The American car haulier industry has had a rocky decade. Even before the financial crisis struck the sector ...
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FeatureNorth American vehicle ports - riding the waves
Import and export growth trends;North American ports survey;Mapping out old and new shipping routes;Growth in the south and Mexico;Infrastructure developments;Future risks and rewards. Significant growth for both vehicle imports and exports continues throughout North American ports. The numbers and trends are in this annual port survey of the regionThe ...
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FeatureRussia's industry branches out
The shift of manufacturing away from Moscow and into central and eastern regions of Russia and Central Asia has given rise to new and familiar challenges for the country's inbound and outbound logistics service providersAn increase in Russian vehicle production, particularly in central parts of the country, has led manufacturers ...
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FeatureVW growing plants with strong routes in North America
In this story... Growth and cost control;Chattanooga supply chain;The role of 3PLs;Expansion at Puebla US and Mexico links;NLK in Mexico;Evolving North AmericaThe heads of logistics for Volkswagen at its operations in the United States, Fabio Freccia, and in Mexico, Roman Müller, talk about how logistics and supply chain management are ...
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FeatureEuropean ports survey 2012
The world’s most active vehicle-trading sea network. While European ports saw declines in imports within a tough market, volumes were surprisingly resilient in some areas, driven by exports, developing regions and changing OEM strategies. In this story...A mixed marketGrowth in Northern EuropeBenelux DevelopmentBritish flows/ The suffering southNew marketsMore choice ...
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FeatureNexteer steering a straight course
An insight into steering supplier Nexteer’s drive for control and visibility over a supply chain is becoming more global and complex.For a medium-sized tier supplier, Nexteer Automotive has an impressive global footprint and pedigree. The company is headquartered in Saginaw, Michigan, but owned by a Chinese consortium of state-owned entities, ...
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FeatureDeveloping with China's export demand
China’s increasing export volume, particularly to low-cost markets, has resulted in a challenging, fragmented logistics sector. Anthony Coia reports.China's export destination;Geely's expanding needs and Great Wall's ambition; Ro-ro shipping services;Terminals and 3PLs;Cars and containers. The links jump to sections of the articleChina’s phenomenal rise to becoming the world’s largest vehicle ...
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FeatureGleaming the cube
Simple, standardised packaging can help achieve increased container fill, flexibility and safety.The globalisation of automotive supply chains has prompted many changes in the packaging of automotive parts. Most parts moving in markets across Asia are shipped in expendable packaging, as are parts shipped across continents. There are some signs that ...
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FeatureLooking for drivers of change in North American trucking
Trucking capacity in North America is balanced but still faces strains thanks to driver shortages and changing regulations. Carriers are responding with fleet investments, IT upgrades and a shift to paperless billings.The number of new vehicle sales in the United States continued to grow in 2012, on pace for an ...
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FeatureA more Russian logistics network
Russia’s new automotive boom is served by a decidedly different network than in 2008, with more local production, increasing use of domestic ports, and growing sales beyond St Petersburg and Moscow. Anthony Coia reports.With 2012 new vehicle sales likely to finish 7-10% higher than 2011 – at around 3m units ...
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FeatureTrailers for sales or rental
The delivery and service opportunities offered to logistics providers by the growing rental and fleet markets of the US and Europe. With additional reporting by Christopher Ludwig.Rental car delivery networksThe role of logistics providersNoting the differenceRemarketing potentialThe future of sharing?While many OEMs, particularly in North America, have tried to reduce ...
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FeatureThe Mexican parts rush
With car production jumping across the border to Mexico, manufacturers are making increasing use of the country’s developing intermodal services, writes Anthony CoiaFord's load factor improvements;Intermodal investment;GM's intercontinental material network;Visteon at the border;Consolidating networks;Nissan's four pillars;VW and synchronising supply;3PL developments.Mexico is resurgent as a manufacturing and export base for the ...