All Europe articles – Page 146
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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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Feature
The inefficiency of the false monthly peak
The volatility of volumes in the vehicle logistics sector causes huge dilemmas for providers. LSPs plan capacities with a degree of flexibility built in, but artificial peaks at the end of the month are creating more flagrant variations between forecasted volumes and the actual capacity that the industry can afford ...
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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 ...
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FeatureAgility required
Continental is bouncing back in China, but is aware that the country’s bureaucracy and lack of visibility present particular challenges to a supply chain that requires a flexible approach.A need to lower inventory;Complex and growing opportunities;Keeping up with logistics demand;The Japan crisis;Sticking to current contracts.The story of Continental in Asia ...
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FeatureGroup dynamics at VW
As the head of VW Group Logistics, Thomas Zernechel is keeping logistics innovation at the forefront of the carmaker’s global expansion, particularly with the rollout of its ‘new logistics concept’.Capacity planning down the tiers;Moving towards crossdocks;Letting the train take the strain;Rolling out hubs for outbound;The role of C02 reduction;A return ...
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FeatureAfter the disaster in Japan
The tsunami and earthquake in Japan have produced soul-searching about how the industry should react. But there will not be a knee-jerk reaction, and well-established practices will not be thrown into reverseKey industries positions questioned;Minimising impact of disasters.Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March put a significant proportion of the ...
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FeatureChina's aftermarket is waiting for the ripple
The aftermarket in China is lagging behind the manufacture of and demand for cars but there are encouraging signs that consolidation and specialisation of services is on the rise.An overview of China's aftermarket;Early days;The aftermarket versus the auto market;Packaging in the aftermarket;The dealership challenge;Warranty and cost;How excited should companies get?.By ...
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FeatureMaking the warehouse visible
The key to an efficient automotive operation is a successful warehouse system but it needs to be integrated and transparent to reach its optimum efficiency.Consolidating different systems;Supporting cross-docking;Range of picking systems;Barcode scanning;Costs of investment.Ever since the first Model T rolled off Ford’s production line, manufacturing processes were seen as key ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Cat Logistics expands US distribution with Spokane centreCaterpillar Logistics Services will begin construction this summer on a new US parts distribution centre in Spokane, Washington, which is expected to be completed next year and will replace the company’s existing 11,600m2 facility. The new facility is part of the Caterpillar subsidiary’s ...
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FeatureExecutives on the move
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has announced two appointments to its global executive management team. Christopher J. Connor has been named chief commercial officer for the company’s global organization and will assume the CCO role while continuing as deputy CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS. Connor will work closely with Oslo-based ...
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FeaturePSA makes first exports from China JV
PSA Peugeot-Citroën’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor has shipped its first exports from China with the movement of Peugeot 408 models to Egypt. The move follows and agreement signed in September 2010 between the two companies establishing rights for PSA to use China produced vehicles for export to overseas markets. ...
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FeatureCar carriers unfazed by Greek strikes
Dockworkers at Greece’s main ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus have joined air traffic controllers, rail workers, hauliers and seafarers in a 48-hour general strike this week. The protest, against the government’s handling of the economic crisis affecting the country, is the fourth strike to have hit the country this year ...
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FeatureCalifornia extends clean-fuel zone
California is to extend the reach of its 24-nautical mile clean-fuel shipping zone to include offshore islands following complaints from the US Navy that more than half the cargo vessels serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach having been using the Point Mugu Sea Range-a restricted area off ...
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FeatureToyota begins Avensis exports from UK
Toyota will export the Avensis from its UK manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire to Japan from July this year. The vehicles, which will be carried to the port of Southampton by STVA will be loaded onto NYK vessels for shipment to Nagoya in Japan at a rate of 750 per ...
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FeatureToyota reveals Russia import plans
Toyota is revamping its import strategy for finished vehicles into the Russian market, including plans to scrap use of offshore ports in Finland and elsewhere in Europe, explore the use of new entry points in the Black Sea and the Far East, as well as increase onward rail distribution in ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Myla Motors will start production in Russia with lean logistics strategyThe Russian market will see the introduction of an entirely new car brand at the end of this year from a new plant opening in Tartarstan. Myla Motors, founded in 2005 by John Mylonas (pictured), a former General Motors executive, ...
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FeatureIndustry mourns passing of 'a true gentleman'
It was with great sadness that Automotive Logistics learned of the death last weekend of Heinrich-Wilhelm Averwerser, managing director at BLG Automobile Logistics. Mr Averwerser was 39 and passed away after a short but very serious illness. “We are missing a competent and engaged, as well as an always-reliable and ...