All features articles – Page 30
-
Feature
A foul stench for vehicle logistics
Porsche’s new Macan models were grounded temporarily at some ports in the US after a stricter insistence on compliance led to certification delaysThe fallout from the diesel emissions test scandals at Volkswagen and Mitsubishi may soon find something of a resolution – at least officially, when a fix is ...
-
FeatureMercedes-Benz USA: ‘One way or another, we always get the job done’
Rory Hepner, general manager of vehicle logistics and distribution at Mercedes-Benz USA, reveals the premium carmaker’s measures to cope with growing volumes through plant yards, ports and across the transport network, despite limited physical expansion – whether by ‘valet’ services for truckers or working more carefully with plants and logistics ...
-
FeatureKobelco goes local to remain global
Japanese metal products manufacturer Kobelco is adopting a new strategy as it seeks to keep its automotive parts supply chain as quick and slick as possible... Japanese industrial group Kobelco is ‘moving abroad’ along with its carmaker and other customers by increasingly investing overseas, cutting time and cost out of ...
-
FeaturePanama canal: Open locks free up trade
After nine years of anticipation, the newly expanded Panama Canal is set to open to commercial traffic. Charlie Fiveash considers the implications for vehicle shipping Next week, the Panama Canal is poised to welcome the first commercial customer along its new expanded route. The container ship, COSCO China, was set ...
-
FeatureBrexit shockwaves go through the supply chain
For the automotive logistics sector, there was a cruel but telling irony in where the strength of the British vote to leave the EU on June 23rd first emerged. Around midnight, in one of the first areas to announce its results, the north-east city of Sunderland revealed that 61% of ...
-
Feature
EU Referendum: crunch time for the car sector
On Thursday (June 23rd) this week the UK will vote on whether it is staying in the European Union (EU) or not. As the clock ticks down on the deadline, more carmakers have been voicing their concerns about what an exit could mean for their businesses and for the automotive ...
-
Feature
FVL North America conference: Beyond the year of the fat cow
All seven annual Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conferences have taken place during periods of recovery and growth for the industry. At the latest event, many thought sales were at their peak, and warned that OEMs and providers would need to be efficient even as the market changes. Marcus Williams ...
-
FeatureFVL North America conference: Crossfire panel. Talking until the fat cows come home
As declared by Sarah Amico, executive chairman of Jack Cooper, 2016 is a “fat cow year” for vehicle logistics. US sales are expected to reach a peak this year, rail and road capacity has been improved, while carmaker and logistics provider executives appear more ready than ever before to collaborate.There ...
-
FeatureFVL North America conference: Beyond the year of the fat cow
All seven annual Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conferences have taken place during periods of recovery and growth for the industry. At the latest event, many thought sales were at their peak, and warned that OEMs and providers would need to be efficient even as the market changes. Marcus Williams ...
-
FeaturePlant locations: Right place, right time
Considerations such as market demand, time to market, regulations, supplier and infrastructure issues are essential in choosing new manufacturing locations.
-
FeatureSeating analysis: Not sitting pretty for long
The modern vehicle seat is a sophisticated item and suppliers require very specific supply chain strategies of their own to stay competitive. Automotive Logistics provides an overview of this fast-changing sector OEMs often require seats to be delivered on a just-in-time and just-in-sequence basisThe automotive seating and interiors business ...
-
FeatureBrexit would hurt wider European automotive logistics sector
If the United Kingdom were to leave the EU, forecasts suggests that UK vehicle sales and trade would be hit, and the effects would be felt across European plants, ports and logistics providersA vote for the UK to leave the European Union in the June 23rd referendum could cause significant ...
-
FeatureThe Supply Chain Conference: Debating what North American automotive supply chains need to be faster, smarter and tougher
At the end of the first Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta, OEM and logistics decision makers discussed complexity, the supply chain mindset, environmental standards and the culture of change required to stimulate innovationAs the recent years of rapid growth begin to ease off, carmakers, tier suppliers and logistics providers operating ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain Conference executive report: A connection worth more than the sum of its parts
The first Automotive Logistics Supply Chain conference explored the extreme complexity of production and service parts logistics across North America. Amid rising global and regional flows, opportunities for freight consolidation and new ways of collaborating across the industry emerged. Christopher Ludwig reports from Atlanta, Georgia.[sta_anchor id="1"]The growth in the automotive ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Mexican and intermodal shockwaves
Ryder's Juan Calvillo and FCA's Wendi Gentry-StuenkelThe rise in Mexican parts and production output is sending more material back and forth over the border, creating opportunities and challenges for intermodal services. However, Christopher Ludwig writes that manufacturers and 3PLs may need to change their organisations and approach to supplier ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain conference: No less global than ever
While investment in regional supply in North America is real, supplier and platform consolidation means that the continent is not cut off from global logistics links across inbound and service parts supply chains, writes Christopher Ludwig in AtlantaDespite the significant increases in local and regional manufacturing in North America, and ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Getting the parts there next day, or sooner
The new Supply Chain Conference revealed the pressure on OEMs to deliver parts to dealers next day, as standard, and to consider options for even more frequency, write Marcus Williams and Christopher LudwigFor carmakers, aftermarket service parts are a lucrative part of the business, contributing significantly to OEM and dealership ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Only the data and technology you can handle
Left to right: Nissan's Ben Shain; Magna's Bridget Grewal; Surgere's William WapplerSpeakers at the Automotive Logistics Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta were optimistic about the potential for data analysis and new digital technology to improve the supply chain. But Marcus Williams and Christopher Ludwig find most companies are cautious ...
-
FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Increasing recalls are a heavy burden for logistics
The increase in vehicle recalls, from safety to emissions issues, is putting more pressure on OEM supply chains to find parts, store more inventory and manage expectations, write Marcus Williams and Christopher Ludwig in Atlanta (l to r) Toyota's Eduardo Huante, Ford's Helmut Nittmann and Volkswagen's Anu GoelOver recent years, ...
-
FeatureDPH buys Liberty Terminals
Diversified Port Holdings (DPH) has bought Liberty Terminals, which provides breakbulk and bulk stevedore services at the ports of Savannah and Charleston in the US. Liberty Terminals will now operate as Seaonus Stevedoring-Savannah.DPH is the holding parent company for Seaonus, which provides stevedoring and warehousing services. It also owns Portus, ...