All features articles – Page 40
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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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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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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
Our special global ro-ro focus reveals changes in capacity, regulations and technology that will influence global shipping and trade for finished vehicles. Changes by land and by seaClick on the links below to read the different articles that make up this report.Global ocean capacity shiftsNavigating trade barriersTranshipment rise at HambantotaIT ...
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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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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 ...
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FeatureImproved performance at a lower cost
PSA Peugeot Citroën’s director for finished vehicle supply chain Guy Lederer (left) describes how his goals to reduce stock and delivery lead times are at the heart of efforts to put the OEM ‘Back in the Race’The past year has been a transformative one for PSA Peugeot Citroën. Many parts ...
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FeatureAudi special report: Vorsprung durch Logistik
Audi is a major profit and innovation centre for the entire Volkswagen Group – and that includes its logistics processes, systems and infrastructure. The company’s in-plant and inbound logistics in Europe have helped to maintain high volumes and product variety despite space constraints in factories and have set the standard for global expansion in China, Mexico and elsewhere.
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FeatureAudi special report: A question of complexity and convergence
The plethora of models, derivatives and options that has boosted Audi’s success over the past decade would not have been possible without an evolution in its logistics management and processes
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FeatureAudi special report: Managing from the centre and the periphery
As ever with a sprawling entity like the Volkswagen Group, power shifts between the centre and its satellites. In Wolfsburg, Konzernlogistik (group logistics), led by Thomas Zernechel, has responsibilities that include group programme planning, setting standards (including IT and returnable packaging) and transport tenders. It also manages bundled and network transport flows, including ocean containers and ro-ro shipping, and consolidated logistics for all suppliers in the transport network.
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FeatureAudi special report: A fast, flexible network
Audi’s inbound logistics depends on tight planning and delivery adherence, while the carmaker is also exploring more consolidation within the Volkswagen Group
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FeatureAudi special report: One crossdock, many brands
The Volkswagen Group’s European transport network is well engineered, however there is ambition for even deeper freight consolidation within it. After synchronising in-plant processes, the next stage in the NLK is to use crossdocks based close to supplier locations, which then feed multiple group plants in high frequency, full truckloads.