All Europe articles – Page 76
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FeatureEditor's note: Planung und Ordnung
No OEM can escape the need for reliable logistics in today’s competitive automotive industry. However, the function arguably has a more elevated status at some companies.At Audi, logistics and in-plant material flow are major if not defining features of its production system, as logistics directly influences output, worker movements and ...
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FeatureEditor's note: expect the unexpected
In the forthcoming issue of Finished Vehicle Logistics, we have something of a special focus on Europe, including reports from the ECG Conference, a feature interview with PSA Peugeot Citroën, with Audi, as well as the European carmaker's association (ACEA). This reporting comes as the European Union and economic area ...
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FeatureThe cross-border crawl
With the number of vehicles and parts moving between the US and Mexico set to increase even further, there are efforts to speed up the import and export processes. Are they enough?Freight flows between the US and Mexico have been steadily increasing, helped by strengthening economies on both sides of ...
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FeaturePackaging case study: An intercontinental shift
One prominent example of a tier one supplier using reusable containers for its overseas shipments is Linde + Wiemann, a supplier of body frame parts, seats, and instrument panels based in Dillenburg, GermanyOne prominent example of a tier one supplier using reusable containers for its overseas shipments is Linde + ...
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FeaturePlanes, trains and slow boats to China
With increased local production still relying heavily on imported material, supply chain efficiency in planning, customs, shipping and packing is crucial to succeeding in ChinaAs the largest automotive market in the world, on pace to build and sell nearly 23m vehicles in 2014, China has a strong and growing domestic ...
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FeaturePremium plant logistics
Six months after Chery JLR’s Rui Zhu and Alex Holland gave an exclusive preview of their logistics plan to Christopher Ludwig, they invited him back into the plant shortly after launch to reveal the latest innovations for its complex material flowsA few weeks before visiting Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s new ...
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FeatureAiming to go the distance
Reusable packaging is on the rise in international supply chains for tier ones. Executives are also interested in returnable pools, though they remain difficult over long distancesThe tier one supply chain, both inbound and outbound, continues to grow more complex. As tier suppliers respond to OEMs’ global platforms – whether ...
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FeatureLast mile: Benefits on board
A Swedish rail study suggests huge potential for stakeholders in track-and-trace collaboration for both railway and automotive logistics A pilot study involving the rail shipment of components to Volvo Cars’ Gothenburg assembly plant has shown the benefits of a significant increase in the use of RFID for freight rail in ...
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FeatureCarmakers halt sales and deliveries in Russia because of depreciating rouble
[Story updated on 7 January 2015] Audi, General Motors and Jaguar Land Rover temporarily suspended deliveries of vehicles in Russia in December because of the current economic situation. Poor sales have led to a build up of inventory.The announcement follows last November’s news that Spanish vehicle maker Seat had stopped ...
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FeatureECG column: Time will tell...
President Costantino Baldissara (right) and vice-president Wolfgang Göbel (left) reflect on ECG’s activity over the past 12 months and look forward to the continued distinction of its members in 2015While each New Year brings fresh opportunity and new challenges, in many ways the journey simply continues.January 1st will see the ...
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FeatureAssembling a stable supply structure
Fiat India’s assistant vice-president of corporate purchasing, Sudhir Chikhle, talks to Ramesh Kumar about supplier standards, the obstacles to JIT delivery and greater localised sourcing near its Pune factoryDespite an erratic and sluggish market over the past three years, India still holds considerable promise for Fiat Chrysler. The carmaker has ...
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FeatureEBRD provides funding for Macedonian rail link
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to €145m ($180m) to strengthen the rail infrastructure in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYR Macedonia). The investment is part of the second phase in the development of the eastern section of the Pan-European Corridor ...
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FeatureAnalysis: Mahindra Logistics invests in hope as much as assets
Mahindra Logistics recent acquisition in assets and freight forwarding are moves to secure capacity ahead of an expected upturn in automotive and vehicle logisticsMore than six months after the election of Narendra Modi in India, it may still be too early to determine whether the Modi government’s agenda is the ...
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FeatureShipping focus: Capacity in the balance
Ocean carriers face increasing trade and regulatory complexity to go with a volatile global market. However, many are investing in larger, more efficient vesselsThe balance of supply and demand for capacity is a tricky objective for ocean car carriers to achieve. For the most part, the leading carriers succeed in ...
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FeatureShipping focus: Global complexity in the dock
The lack of a standard worldwide trading system has resulted in many and varied trade agreements between countries that make for complicated import and export scenarios. However, progress is being made by way of broader negotiations and smarter customs proceduresWhile the shipping of finished vehicles follows market demand, it is ...
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FeatureShipping focus: The unexpected rise of Hambantota port
While it may seem an unlikely destination, the Sri Lankan port is a growing automotive hub for transhipments from Asia to global markets. The right mix of incentives, capacity and shipping links have been catching OEMs' attention.Sri Lanka, the island nation off the southeast coast of southern India doesn’t manufacture ...
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FeatureShipping focus: The ghosts of future shipping
Autonomous driving is not just for cars. The prospect of an unmanned ship transporting automotive cargo may not be so far fetchedIt is possible that in the coming decades, more ghost ships will be found sailing the seas, with not a soul on board. This isn’t a repeat of the ...
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FeatureShipping focus case study: A crow’s nest view of the supply chain
Complex, multimodal, multi-activity supply chains call for smart management systems. For WWL, that has meant a decade-long partnership with UK software specialist ProAct InternationalWallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) is one of the world’s largest specialist ro-ro carriers, however the company’s infrastructure and activities go far beyond its 60-strong vessel fleet. Today, ...
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FeatureRenault-Nissan merges purchasing activity with AvtoVaz in Russia
Renault Nissan is merging its purchasing activity in Russia with local carmaker AvtoVaz in 2015. The new Avtovaz-Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization (ARPNO) replaces the common purchasing organisation set up by the carmakers in September 2013 and makes the new entity the largest buyer in the automotive industry in Russia.ARPNO will now ...
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FeatureTaking a seat at theglobal negotiating table
The European manufacturer’s association, ACEA, is a strong voice in Brussels and abroad, particularly in shaping regulations and trade deals. Erik Jonnaert (pictured) talks to Christopher Ludwig about how he would like the EU to help unlock innovation and export potentialErik Jonnaert is arguably one of the European Union’s most ...