All Europe articles – Page 154
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FeatureThe export engine on the peninsula
As South Korean carmakers watch their sales rise across the globe their logistics providers have been adjusting strategy to keep pace. Marcus Williams reports on the diversification and investment being made to meet demand for faster shipping and greater capacity. Additional reporting by Christopher LudwigCapacity advantagesSpeed of deliveryTwo-basket approachTransit time ...
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FeatureThe central nervous system
The long road to RFIDTracking transportA Babylon of IT linksBLG depends on a highly advanced and organised IT system to link its distribution, port handling and technical services. Marcia MacLeod finds out what makes the vehicle logistics giant’s system tick.In 2009 BLG Automobile handled 4.6m finished vehicles at its 13 ...
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FeatureDealing with damage
US routinely classifies damageRules of destructionMishmash of guidelinesDamage-free dreamThe challenge grows at ToyotaThe line between when a car damaged in transport should be repaired or scrapped is often blurry, depending on region and OEM. Tony Danby discusses the approaches to dealing with and preventing such damage.Damage is impossible to avoid ...
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FeatureMaking the most out of Mexico
The lack of investment in Mexico’s supply base offers good opportunities for third party providers to bring in their expertise and improve their competitive standing. DHL Supply Chain is one such provider that is making inroadsConsolidation through 3PLsManagement of networksMexico on the upMexico has been producing cars for the best ...
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Vying for custom
Everything but the kitchen sinkMazda sells the benefitsThe GM approachBrand integrityMaking models accessibleCustomisation can be a simple addition of decals, or a full conversion for wheelchair access, and the degree to which manufacturers want to outsource this operation varies as much as the processes themselves, writes Malcolm Wheatley.At Daimler and ...
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FeatureA pivot to the automotive world?
Already integral to European vehicle production, Turkey is back on track to becoming a base for automotive output on a global scale, but OEMs operating there need to tackle the risks involved in their disparate and over-extended supply chainsEuropean connectionsStretching the chainMore consolidationFinished vehiclesA surprisingly open logistics marketTurkey’s automotive sector ...
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FeatureNo cost to spare
The automotive aftermarket in Europe has become radically more competitive thanks to the Block Exemption and global sourcing. Malcolm Wheatley investigates the approaches carmakers and providers are taking to save costs and increase speed in the supply chainAll in fluxHonda Europe reshapes delivery approachCan't spare the profits from sparesOEMs need ...
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FeatureReady for the rush?
It’s time to ship directFinland will lose outToyota supports revised customs rulesMaking better use of spaceRail remains an expensive optionWill large-sale imports continue?Tran Siberian debate continuesChris Lewis takes another look at the finished vehicle imports going though ports into Russia, and discovers that business is seriously picking up, and that ...
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FeatureAn economic approach to logistics
The reason behind Renault-Nissan’s restructuring of its logistics organisation was to reinforce the importance of supply chain planning and integrate it fully into the day-today business from the design stage forward. Marcus Williams reports on the progress that has been made since the establishment of the Global Supply Chain DepartmentPart ...
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FeatureTier ones wake up to IT
Tier one suppliers face many challenges in making the most of their supply chain IT, but new offerings by suppliers and a new openness in the industry may deliver much.Garbage in, garbage outShining light into a black holeIn the new normalDon't buy, rentLimitations of a legacyIt is quicker, cheaper and ...
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FeaturePacked with potential
Manufacturers in North America have emerged from the crisis with a renewed appreciation for the cost-saving potential of packaging, with more consideration at the part-design phaseSilver liningsRoom for improvementIt's all gone southAutomotive packaging technology tends to evolve at the pace of vehicle programmes. Carmakers and suppliers may feel the pressure ...
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FeatureDaimler grows amid a divided Europe
A growing gap among logistics providersThe great capacity debate resumesA time of tender opportunityGrowth at seaGetting back to greenDaimler’s 11th annual European Carrier Day came at a time when the carmaker is accelerating globally in sales and logistics development, and often well ahead of its many vehicle logistics providers in ...
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FeatureFord of Europe’s brave new world
The sales climate might be decidedly mixed in Europe, but Ford is pushing through with big changes and improvements in its logistics networks, from substantially more intermodal transport to time-critical vehicle logistics. Christopher Ludwig catches up with Ford’s Matthias SchulzA marriage of sacred vowsIncreasing rail and short seaPassion projectsUnderstanding the ...
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FeatureGeely reaches out for help in a global future
Revising expectationsBackground and careerExporting cars and kitsBuilding better relationships at seaShipping contractsStreamlining managementGeely’s global exports and presence had been small outside China before the Volvo purchase, but it has plans to grow significantly in emerging markets around the world. Namrita Chow caught up with the woman in charge of international ...
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3PLs need to be more proactive
3PLs must become more flexible and innovative in meeting the changing needs of the supply chain, according to carmakers. But manufacturers should do more to help planning.“We want 3PLs to be open to new ways of working, to be more responsive to change,” emphasised Bob Mountain, head of supply chain ...
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Perfecting the Pallet
A committe of the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has created a standard for disposable and reusable packaging, which it hopes will be adopted internationally. The goal is for sizes to fit all modes, while aiming for the highest efficiency for sea containers.According to Paul Phelps, committee co-chair and a ...
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Consumers drive logistics
The gap between success and failure in the automotive logistics market is widening, with the difference often lying in serving emerging consumersAlthough the outlook for automotive logistics is mixed (awful in some markets) there are simultaneously a host of improving financials from some logistics providers. Meanwhile, global car sales and ...
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FeatureA question of trust in India
The question of trust was central to discussions at this year’s Automotive Logistics India conference held in Chennai last week. While the automotive sector has shown growth among the fastest in world this year, on pace to reach 2.8m passenger car sales, and forecasts expected to double that over the ...
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FeatureGlobal news in brief
Ford extends aftersales contract with Norbert DentressangleFord has signed a multi-million, two-year contract extension with Norbert Dentressangle Transport Services for the distribution of aftersales parts to the carmaker’s 300 UK dealers. The operation involves Norbert Dentressangle collecting orders from Ford’s Daventry facility for onward delivery directly to the dealerships overnight ...
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FeatureChina doubles vehicle imports, LSPs benefit
While vehicle exports from China are surging, with more than 483,000 units recorded in the January to November period (up more than 68% from a year earlier), the country has also seen a big increase in vehicle imports that are reported to have more than doubled in the first ten ...