All Digitalisation articles – Page 58
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FeatureTruck platooning: a future benefit for automotive logistics
A recent test of truck platooning has successfully demonstrated the technology’s considerable potential for commercial vehicle fleets... In the first half of 2016, the Netherlands held the presidency of the council of the European Union and during this time, Melanie Schultz van Haegen, minister of infrastructure and environment (which transport ...
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Last mile: Blocking errors bit by bit
Block chains, the technology that powers the virtual bitcoin currency, could be used to simplify and revolutionise information exchange in the automotive supply chain in the near futureThe finance industry has been jolted by the advent of bitcoins, but finally, after six years, it has recognised the potential of the ...
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FeatureChina: Cutting costs and creating efficiency
The evolution of inbound and outbound networks is reflecting Chinese economic slowdown and reforms, as well as opportunities for stronger, more advanced automotive logistics services[sta_anchor id="1"]China’s passenger car market has been in a period of hyper-growth, rising more than fourfold over the past decade. However, with sales slowing to single ...
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FeatureTesla’s supply chain set for a surge
Tesla has captured the car industry’s collective imagination in many ways since its start-up in 2008, including how it builds and sells its electric vehicles.Besides the novelty of the products themselves, the intrigue is partly down to co-founder Elon Musk, one of the great entrepreneurs of this generation, seen in ...
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FeatureBMW: Flexing up for the fourth revolution
BMW’s partnership with Fraunhofer has produced innovations in materials handling to support its global parts exports, but these are only a first step towards wider digitalisation and automation in logisticsThere’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help every now and then, especially when it comes to developing and testing ...
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FeatureInventory inversed
Changes in technology, economics and attitudes are driving a resurgence of interest in vendor managed inventory programmes among automotive manufacturersProduction lines need availability, not inventory. Manufacturers’ primary concern is that each individual part is a good one and that it is ready by the line when the assembly robot or ...
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FeatureIs the digital future now history?
[sta_anchor id="1"]Electronic consignment notes were given the green light by the EU in 2011 but their implementation across European countries remains patchy. Has their time finally come… or gone? So far, only eight EU member states and Switzerland have ratified the so-called e-CMR protocol – the digital addition to the ...
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FeaturePackaging: Thinking smarter outside the box
[sta_anchor id="1"]Tracking technology is playing an ever greater role in the effectiveness of returnable packaging, but still has some way to go before it becomes ubiquitousTracking returnable containers, racks and pallets has come a long way during the past few years, and while barcoding is still the dominant technology, radio ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz Trucks moves to 3D printing for spare parts
Mercedes-Benz Trucks is to move to 3D printing as the standard production method for a number of plastic spare parts at its Customer Services and Parts division from September. The truckmaker said the technology would initially be used for 30 part lines but that this would increase. It added that ...
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FeatureDB Schenker signs deal with uShip for digital freight network in Europe
Deutsche Bahn’s freight wing, DB Schenker, has signed a five-year deal “worth tens of millions” of euros with US-based online freight shipping marketplace uShip, a platform that matches shippers and carriers through mobile and internet devices.Later this year DB Schenker will launch its own ‘Drive4Schenker’ (D4S) online platform to match ...
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FeatureKewill to buy LeanLogistics from Brambles
Logistics software provider Kewill has signed an agreement to buy LeanLogistics, the transport management software provider, from Brambles for $115m. Brambles specialises in the pooling of packaging equipment and associated services.The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed within 45 days, a spokesperson for ...
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Are 4PLs an effective solution for the automotive industry?
Tim Fawkes is the managing director at 3T logisticsThe automotive industry has one of the more multifaceted supply chains within manufacturing, involving hundreds of suppliers spread across multiple countries and continents. As such, a service-driven, robust and efficient transport management process is required.Outsourcing transport via third party logistics providers ...
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FeatureBlocking errors bit by bit
Matthias Berlit is head of industrial logistics at German software provider InformBlock chains – the technology that already powers the virtual bitcoin currency – could soon be revolutionising information exchange in the automotive supply chain.A block chain can be described as a digital ledger containing stringed blocks of information, ...
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The Quiet Revolution and its impact on inbound and aftermarket operations
Bill Bacon is managing director of automotive at DHL Supply Chain UK & IrelandThe automotive sector is changing. According to a recent report by PWC, analysts believe the sector will change more in the next ten years than it has in the last 100. The biggest factor contributing to ...
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FeatureFord part 1: Always looking ahead
In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service
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FeatureE-commerce, autonomous vehicles and their effect on the automotive supply chain
Bill Bacon, managing director of automotive at DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland Increasing demand from motorists for a fast, efficient and personal service continues to put pressure on manufacturers and their supply chain partners, particularly in the automotive aftermarket sector. At the same time, huge technological advances ...
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Last Mile: converging on the future
A new world order is emerging in the automotive sector. It began as a ‘quiet revolution’, but will change the industry forever. Technology – not chassis design, braking systems or tyres – has become pre-eminent in an industry where the big OEMs have traditionally held all the market power. Now ...
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Volkswagen Depot Kassel part 3 : Saving space to grow
Big Data and broader technological advances will play an important role in future parts procurement and logistics at Depot KasselDr Claus Wriebe tells Christopher Ludwig about inventory reduction strategies that will keep Kassel at the centre of Volkswagen’s parts supply chain for years to comeFor years, Volkswagen’s OTC in ...
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Volkswagen Depot Kassel part 2: Mitten in Europa
Pictured are the 420,000 sq.m set of OTC buildings in Baunatal, with part of the Kassel plant in the foregroundAs reflected in its main location, Depot Kassel plays a central role in the Volkswagen Group’s global service parts strategy, requiring flexibility as well as a high level of automation.Kassel/Baunatal ...
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FeatureVolkswagen Depot Kassel part 1 : The beating heart of service parts
Dr Claus Wriebe has been working in Volkswagen's spare parts logistics for more than 14 years, and took over as head of Depot Kassel in early 2014In a three-part report Automotive Logistics explores the scale and importance of the Volkswagen Group's colossal parts operations, centred around Kassel, GermanyManaging service ...