All Europe articles – Page 161
-
FeatureJuly proves a good month for Daimler Trucks
Daimler has signed an agreement with Finnish commercial vehicle maker Oy Sisu Auto to supply and deliver Mercedes-Benz Truck components from its plant in Wörth, Germany from the beginning of next year. Subject to a feasibility study Daimler will manufacture, bundle and supply frames, axles and drive shafts from its ...
-
Feature
Ford reveals effort to clean up logistics
Ford’s latest sustainability report reveals a number of achievements in the reduction of carbon output from its logistics practices, including a reduction in road-based transport, increased use of alternative fuels and more reusable packaging. Called “2009/10 Blueprint for Sustainability: The Future at Work”, the report states that the company reduced ...
-
FeatureCeva expands service for Renault in Spain
Renault has signed a three-year extension to its contract with Ceva Logistics in Spain that includes an expansion to services provided for the carmaker’s three plants in the country. Ceva will continue to manage logistics provision at Renault’s plants in Valladolid and Palencia facilities but will now also manage inbound ...
-
FeatureZF is best-in-class for just-in-time
ZF Lemförder, the Car Chassis Technology Division of Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen, has won an award for the supply of chassis components to Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull facility, near Birmingham in the UK. The Warwick Manufacturing Group Award for Logistics and Resource Efficiency was presented by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers ...
-
FeatureOpposition grows to US-Korea trade agreement
There were further signs of revival for the free trade agreement between the US and South Korea at the recent G20 meeting in Toronto, though labour opposition and fears that the removal of tariffs could damage light truck production in the US and lead to an unbalanced influx of more ...
-
FeatureThe bear wakes up
Customary problemsSecondBranching outFools and roadsInto the interiorExport from RussiaRussia’s carmakers are coming out of hibernation, and as the market picks up, logistics providers must prepare for delivering to a domestic market beyond St Petersburg and Moscow, and keep the outbound logistics cost effective, writes Andrew WilliamsIn the wake of the ...
-
FeatureDownturn puts wagon innovations on hold
Short contracts hamper investmentIndia: land of opportunityChanging gear in a volatile marketCrossing borders in EuropeThe global economic downturn has killed off orders for new specialist car carrier rail wagons, even though industry experts agree there is a lot of scope to improve the design of this equipment to better serve ...
-
FeatureRiver deep, mountain high
Dicey roads, creaking bridges and traffic jamsIveco focuses on BrazilExports fall offMAN trucks on As the South American giant speeds away from the financial crisis, the country’s notorious infrastructure and challenging terrain is causing problems again. But that is not stopping the delivery of buses and trucks, just slowing it ...
-
FeatureIs the giant ready to grow again?
Ceva has faced financial difficulty for the past two years as it coped with debt and recession. Whilst the debt has not gone away, the company is now sufficiently profitable to look at growth. Thomas Cullen has been talking to Ceva’s CEO John Pattullo and considers the company’s optionsBig financeThe ...
-
FeaturePutting plan B into action
When the best-laid schemes of supply chain management go askew, premium freight is the last and best resort to avoid the worst. Marcia MacLeod looks at the contingency thinking and critical strategies that save the day."What if" thinkingPersonal servicesSupply chain preassuresIn an ideal world the automotive supply chain would run ...
-
FeatureSpace for rent
The automotive warehouse real estate market has taken a major hit, but it remains a dynamic sector where the requirements are becoming more and more specificA different game in AsiaThe shape of automotive warehousingInbound warehouses versus aftermarketFuture trends for warehousing locationsThe world’s automotive industry has had a torrid three years: ...
-
FeatureStop hanging around
Getting in and getting out…fastChrysler-Fiat deal could nurture two-way flowPorts need to be meaner and leanerGrappling with recessionEast coast is fiercely competitiveLess attractive than containersHow the West Coast comparesWho you sell to still dictates carmakers’ choice of ports but patterns are shifting, and US ports try to keep pace with ...
-
FeatureMaking plans reality
The dividing line between IT vendors offering planning systems, and those offering execution systems may no longer hold.The split between planning and executionDownturn brings the two sides togetherBuild-to-order productionIn April, as the Icelandic volcano filled European air space with ash clouds, leading to much of its closure, the assembly lines ...
-
FeatureIndia is hungry for logistics change
The growth for local as well as export demand out of India is making the need for supply chain improvements a must. While progress is slow, Namrita Chow finds some hope on the horizon, from tax reform to an increase in returnable packagingTaxation hurdlesInfrastructure needs upgrading: portsRail in IndiaRoads in ...
-
FeatureIndian exports seek the perfect port
The Big Two versus home-grown talentAny port in a boom?Mumbai PortMundra PortChennai PortEnnore PortThe futureForeign carmakers have been quick to seize the opportunity of using India as an export base for small cars. Since 1998, policies in India have supported wholly-owned vehicle manufacturing facilities allowing foreign carmakers to set up ...
-
FeatureIs sharing a box worth it?
Container pooling tackles some important hidden costs in the inbound supply chain. But are the opportunities offered by the approach being ignored as OEMs and suppliers struggle with larger problems?Pool playersA pool, not a puddleImpact of the crisisCurrent challenges but future opportunityTracking the boxesPackaging in the inbound automotive supply chain ...
-
FeatureA simple approach to damage prevention
Training is the best defenceSpeeding up the claim timeData capture is the frontline of preventionLet’s talk about damageJust a simple premise that goes a long wayThe fight against damage is fought on many fronts, from protective products to sophisticated data tracking systems. But a focus on staff training and continuous ...
-
FeatureHow to cope without a crystal ball
General Motor’s head of logistics Susanna Webber talks to Christopher Ludwig about improving supplier relations and how a total enterprise cost approach could help the company understand how to react to future risk and changes in the global supply chainLooking back and learning from the painThe recession's silver liningBuilding a ...
-
FeatureRussia takes tighter control of industrial policy
Russia has been using an ‘industrial assembly’ scheme for several years that mandates foreign carmakers and parts producers with operations in the country. Under the scheme they are required to maintain certain levels of production, obligatory technological operations, localisation and reporting, in exchange for tariff concessions. The authorised ministries have ...
-
FeaturePorsche balances in-and outsourced logistics
While logistics is the most common part of the supply chain for manufacturers to outsource, the balance between in-house and outsourced management and control functions is different depending on the OEM.One carmaker that in recent years has developed a strong central logistics management organisation is Porsche, which concentrates considerable internal ...