All Asia articles – Page 95
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FeatureVW works toward crossdock network
Volkswagen has been undergoing trials at three group consolidation centres in Europe as it aims to shift from a regional system of freight forwarding to running a network of crossdocks. The group is now in the process of tendering for more consolidation centres in the coming years. According to Thomas ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Ford starts Focus output in RussiaFord has started production this week of its new Focus model at the Vsevolozhsk plant near St Petersburg, Russia for distribution to its 100-strong dealership network in the country. The company has already secured 5,000 orders from Russian customers. Production started on Monday of the ...
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FeatureExecutives on the move
Following last month’s logistics management shakeup at General Motors it has been confirmed that Andreas Graffe will replace Jeff Morrison as director of logistics for Opel/Vauxhall in Europe. Graffe, who is currently purchasing director at Shanghai GM, will move over to the new role next month. Morrison moves back to ...
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FeatureKorea could be next best option to Japan
Carmakers and tier suppliers looking to diversify their supply chain away from the high costs and on-going disruptions in Japan may find the next best option to be South Korea following the recent free trade agreement with Europe and one to follow with the US, according to analysis from Frost ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Ontime boosts fleet with £4m investmentOntime Automotive is making a £4m ($6.3m) investment in its Specialist TransportDivision’s fleet of enclosed transporters over the next 12 months with the addition of 21 new enclosed vehicles. The UK-based finished vehicle transporter is working with manufacturing supplier Rolfo and Imperial Commercials ...
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FeatureTata embarks on cross-segment strategy
Tata Motors is embarking on a new strategy to overcome distribution restraints across its passenger and commercial vehicles segments in India. The company plans to use its truck network to stock and sell passenger cars in locations that do not currently have passenger car dealerships. At the same time it ...
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FeatureGefco to begin operations in Bulgaria
The logistics subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën, Gefco, will begin automotive logistics operations in Bulgaria from this September and establish relations with current and prospective suppliers as well as small- and medium-size transport firms in the country. Gefco Bulgaria will be based in the capital Sophia and will be headed ...
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FeatureConcerns persist over EU trade deal with Korea
Last Friday saw the ratification of the of the much-disputed free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and South Korea, described by the EU’s ambassador in Seoul, Tomasz Kozlowski, at the time as a “win-win” agreement and a model for other trade agreements that the EU is negotiating, including ...
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FeatureFord completes upgrade for Ranger exports
Ford has completed a two-year, $500m upgrade to its manufacturing and assembly plants in South Africa to enable it to produce and export its new Ranger diesel pickup trucks to 148 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. Ford's Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth engine has been extensively upgraded and ...
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FeatureGAZ president calls for discipline in Russia
Logistics, customs clearance and Russian industrial policy will play critical roles in the on-going modernisation and success of Russia’s GAZ Group in the coming years, according to its president, Bo Andersson, the former global purchasing and supply chain chief for General Motors. Speaking to Automotive Logistics during the Automotive News ...
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FeatureDHL to distribute Renault's lithium-ion batteries
DHL has signed an exclusive, three-year contract with Renault to handle the distribution of replacement lithium-ion batteries in Europe. The service, which begins September 1st to coincide with the rollout of Renault’s electric vehicle range, will see DHL carry out logistics, including the storage and transport of batteries between a ...
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FeatureTurning the corner
Key trendsLogistics challengesIn a big countryBuilding on core strengthsConfidence is returning to the automotive industry in Australia after a period of slump but challenges such as infrastructure investment and supply chain flexibility need to be met, writes Andrew Williams.In the wake of the global financial crisis, the Australian automotive industry ...
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FeatureNeapolitan strength from Grimaldi
Automotive backboneNaples leads the growthScrap the old, in with the newProtecting profitsGrimaldi is having a record year, and Christopher Ludwig shows that the Naples-based company’s success is thanks to its strategies for automotive, investment and diversification.Relative to its general business strategy, 2011 should have been a catastrophe so far for ...
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FeatureEurope divided over rail cargoes
To Russia and beyondDistance myth dispelledWhat future for co-loading?...while closed wagons remain too expensiveSpeed of responseThe integration of European rail freight and cross-border standardisation remains a distant dream. Countries have differing state and private provision, with consequences for logistics companies, writes Barry Cross.The European Union has long had ambitions to ...
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FeatureChanges from coast to coast
The rise of exports and the spectre of JapanIncreasing competition on the East CoastNew players on the West CoastRichmond on the rise againWho will emerge next?As imports recover and exports grow through North American ports, a complex mix of factors from currency appreciation to the Japanese earthquake is forcing change ...
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FeatureScratching the surface of damage protection
Types of damage Damage limitationHandle with careNew innovation gaining tractionThe long journeys experienced by finished vehicles require a co-ordinated approach to improving handling and prevent the risks of damage in transit, writes Andrew Williams.By the time new cars roll off production lines they will have undergone a series of strict ...
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FeatureServing the next new car boom in Russia
Carriers neededMoving to railDoubts remainCustoms woesGoing domesticThe Russian car market is emerging from the economic downturn and, despite familiar obstacles to be faced, prospects are bright, writes William Ross.It has certainly been a roller-coaster ride in the Russian auto market over the past five years. After a dramatic, rapid rise ...
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FeatureHeavy growth in Brazil
Marcopolo discovers new territoriesAgco harvests logistics savingsConstructive logisticsBrazil’s boom has been driving a wave of investment in the construction and farming industries, through to tourism and retail. Tony Danby looks at how economic growth, the upcoming World Cup and expanding agricultural markets are spurring heavy machinery sales and the challenges ...
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FeaturePalletisation grows in India
The use of pallets in the Indian automotive sector is patchy and influenced by a lack of infrastructure but there are signs that palletisation is about to be embraced.Low take-up of pallestisation;Need for infrastructure improvement;Stabilisation of sizes;Who will be the first to jump?;Parameters for pallet standards.Seldom in the history of ...
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FeatureSuppliers get serious about logistics
Hit hard in the tough times, but expected to respond rapidly when the economy improves, tier one suppliers must find logistics approaches that are fast, cheap and flexible. Jonathan Ward reports that some are now benefitting from investment in IT and process improvements.Simple, fast and cheap;Parts and processes hand in ...