All features articles – Page 43
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Indian hopes return, problems remain
Automotive sales and confidence are returning, with Indian logistics executives seeing brighter days ahead. While many are looking to the Modi government for reforms, some companies most important improvements may still be internal.Excitement has pervaded the Indian landscape since the May national elections that swept Narendra Modi and his National ...
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Getting the North American network in ship shape
The inaugural Import Export North America conference, a joint AIAG and Finished Vehicle Logistics event, saw executives and lawmakers debate how best to prepare the region to meet the logistics challenges of changing import and export flows and rising production. Executives gathered at the port of Baltimore, Maryland The recovery ...
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Looking back: putting customers first in Indian vehicle logistics
Achal Paliwal (left), until recently head of exports and logistics at Honda Cars India, sat down for a pint or two with our India correspondent to discuss a career in vehicle logistics and the evolution of two Japanese companies in India with very different approaches.When long-serving executives step down from ...
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Guided by choices
In the push to improve productivity, manufacturers and logistics providers are looking to increase the use of AGVs in parts and material warehouses, although there are still questions about investment and flexibility. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are an increasingly common sight in the automotive industry, particularly in production plants, where ...
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Labour flexibility and logistics outsourcing key to Daimler union deal
Daimler has agreed new terms with its labour union for the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany (pictured), which will allow for more labour flexibility and outsourced logistics operations, helping to save hundreds of millions of euros over the next several years. In return, the carmaker will build a new model ...
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End of long wait could be in sight for India’s GST
Following nearly 15 years of parliamentary wrangling, India’s new government has committed to introducing the Goods and Service Tax (GST) as early as this financial year, as revealed last week in the annual budget, presented by finance minister Arun Jaitley. The tax reform is expected to have major impacts on ...
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A logistics drinking tour
Mexico conjures up many vivid and often contrasting images; from pristine Caribbean beaches to brazen kidnappings and violence; from the crowded streets of Mexico City to open, unspoilt desert landscapes. For the automotive industry, the country has attracted billions of dollars in investment even as many executives worry about cargo ...
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Fiat Chrysler's automotive melting pot
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here. For features on the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here.Mercedes Figueroa (below) has taken over Fiat Chrysler’s logistics at a time of supply chain and sales integration. ...
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The home frontier
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here. For features on the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here.Mexico’s domestic market has been stagnant and yet it is complex, including a high number of used sales ...
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Special outbound report: For the rápido go the spoils in Mexico
Logistics providers that don’t act quick could fall behind in the race to handle rising volume out of Mexico. Our special Mexico report continues by exploring the opportunities for vehicle logistics Reporting from south of the borderThe finished vehicle logistics portion of this multi-part report, written by editor Christopher ...
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All systems ‘go’ at Nissan
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.In fifth part of our Automotive Logistics Mexico special, Nissan Mexicana's logistics specialists explain how the carmaker, together ...
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Nearby and nimble
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.In the fourth part of this special Automotive Logistics report, we discover that while Mexico’s OEMs rely on ...
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Right at the heart of it all
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.Part three of our Automotive Logistics special report on Mexico: the rise of ‘global’ products means the country ...
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Down Mexico way...and back again
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.In the second part of this special Mexico report, we explore how huge amounts of automotive material crossing ...
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Special report: Many shades of Mexico
Logistics is part of what has helped carmakers succeed in Mexico’s historically difficult economy, but will it be an advantage or pitfall in future?Reporting from south of the borderThis special multi-part report, by editor Christopher Ludwig, explores Mexico’s historic and developing supply chain as well as the logistics challenges connected ...
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Warehouse excellence at Robert Bosch
Extensive research and testing of lean principles have elevated tier one supplier Robert Bosch’s warehousing practices alongside the highest OEM plant standards. The supplier is trying to replicate these lean standards globallyFew terms are used as ubiquitously throughout automotive production as ‘lean management’, a concept of continuous improvement and manufacturing ...
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Case study: Bosch Diesel in China goes lean
The Warehouse Excellence model is applied in China to ensure Bosch’s supply chain is fast and flexible enough to meet a very different type of demand to that in Europe. A compelling case for the potential of improving warehouse performance with lean management can be found at Bosch Automotive Diesel ...
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Carry on car carrying
As UK car volume expands, led by exports of premium vehicles, carmakers are looking for more logistics capacity. Zoë Apostolides and Marcus Williams reportBritish new vehicle sales achieved their longest-ever growth spree this summer, with year-on-year sales having increased every month since March 2012. This surge, along with rising export ...
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Keep coming up with the goods in the UK
Vehicle production in the UK is healthy, but requires agile logistics for its global and local supply chains and these can only evolve with investment in skills training and IT.Christopher Ludwig contributed to this reportFollowing the hard economic knocks felt throughout Europe since 2008, the UK has certainly surprised many ...
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Racking up the savings
The use of specialised metal racks is a common, albeit costly practice, but engineers are making them lighter and more modularAlthough automotive packaging continues to become more standardised on a global basis – especially plastic pallets, containers and totes – non-standard or specialised packaging is still an essential element in ...