All features articles – Page 47
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FeatureLocal production in Saudi may be on the horizon
Sales of imported vehicles in Saudi Arabia are set to increase by another 15% in 2014, led by Toyota and Hyundai, but major carmakers including Chrysler, Ford, GM and Jaguar Land Rover are looking at the potential of domestic productionBanning half its population from driving hasn’t prevented Saudi Arabia from ...
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FeatureEuropean road – recovery pains
A survey carried out by Finished Vehicle Logistics revealed a sense of cautious optimism, but many points of contention among Europe’s automotive road hauliers. In this story...Fleet developmentsCarrier revenue dataOwned fleet data Red tape and legislationSubcontractor data Perennial problemsDriver dataGoing ‘greenEuropean car hauliers are still fragile from years of ...
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FeatureTaking hail repair in hand
The random and varying nature of extreme weather damage presents OEMs, and logistics providers, with complicated and urgent repair challenges.In this story...A history of hailUnpredictable weatherAssessing repair timesPrevention better than cureStorm-chasing staffIT and organisationIn late July 2013, central Europe enjoyed a prolonged period of warm weather, with several weather stations ...
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FeatureChina reports: Tracking reforms
China has made some radical moves to modernise its railways, but the rail services desired by the automotive industry are not here yet. Vehicle logistics in China is dominated by trucking. While water transport by barge and short sea has done some catching up in recent years, rail is ...
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FeatureChina reports: Rolls-Royce's first-class deliveries
In this story...Flying in salesA quality aftermarket Bespoke logisticsChauffeur-driven careQuality over quantityRolls-Royce director for China Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer describes how the company ensures premium delivery of vehicles and spare parts in one of its most important marketsFew products or possessions – a private jet, a Beverly Hills mansion, a yacht off ...
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FeatureBMW's one and only in America
To meet domestic and export demand for the SUVs it produces, BMW is introducing measures to reduce logistics cost and complexity at its Spartanburg plant.In this story... Inbound managementGlobal supply chain links Containers on tracks A global export strategyImproving plant and warehouse integrationBMW’s only North American factory, located in Greer, ...
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FeatureFeeding the lean machine in North America
Efficient and growing production is putting pressure on tier suppliers to better manage their own logistics networks in North AmericaCapacity and creativityShape of things to come Balance at DraexlmaierFlexibile space useLocal goes globalIT for support Mergers and acquisitionsTier one suppliers in North America are facing both global and regional supply ...
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FeatureReports from China: under pressure to perform in outbound
Competition and demand in a country of huge scale and diversity makes for a prosperous, but uncertain vehicle logistics marketIn this story...Chinese challenges Global port standardsTrailer length tricksMoving to multimodalPrivate vs. state-ownedGeely's exportsVehicles logistics providers in China face some of the most challenging conditions in the world. As well as ...
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FeatureIdentifying trace elements
Considering the high value of its product, visibility in the finished vehicle supply chain is notoriously poor, but what is the industry doing about it? The contrast between the two sides of the automotive supply chain could hardly be starker. Upstream, flows are highly disciplined and tightly managed. Parts and ...
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FeatureIf you want a footprint in Russia, don’t run before you can walk
Neovia and STS Logistics recently held a day of workshop talks in London, UK designed to provide international companies eager to set up business in Russia with the right insight into the marketFor companies wanting to establish a footprint in Russia, the priorities outlined at the advisory workshop on the ...
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Reports from China: automotive market could outpace logistics
As sales look set to boom, the need for efficient logistics solutions has never been greater in China, but how can supply best meet demand?In this story... Looking sunny: the current climateEnvironmental repercussions?Bottlenecks restraining growth Haphazard legislationMultimodal solutionsThe Chinese automotive market could be set for another ten years of double-digit ...
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FeatureWhat will China’s latest reforms mean for automotive logistics?
The outline of the Chinese government’s reforms following its third plenum congress could have a significant impact on the automotive logistics sector. We analyse the changes proposed to finance, investment, commodity prices and state-owned enterprisesThe document released last week by the Chinese central government following an important closed door meeting ...
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FeatureDew officially head of Ceva in Asia Pacific
Ceva Logistics has appointed Peter Dew as president, Asia Pacific. The announcement makes formal the role he has held on an interim basis since July when Didier Chenneveau left the position amidst a management reshuffle. Dew has been a member of Ceva’s Executive Board since 2008.Since joining the company in ...
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FeatureBrazil struggles to keep supply chain costs from taking off
The Automotive Logistics South America conference in São Paulo heard familiar laments about infrastructure and the creative ways that Brazilians keep the supply chain moving. Port reforms and continuing automotive investment is putting more emphasis on improving logistics operationsClick here to read the full version of this report. When automotive ...
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FeatureMagna Europe chief sees logistics becoming more important
Magna Europe president, Günther Apfalter, puts logistics among his top five priorities in Europe, as he sees potential to improve costs and reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chainSince Günther Apfalter (pictured left) became president of Magna Europe in late 2010, a difficult European economy and increasing global competition in ...
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FeatureBetter times ahead for European vehicle logistics sector
With vehicle sales across the EU finally heading in the right direction, carmakers and providers cited the need for increased efficiency, cost reduction, and understanding government regulations as key to success in 2013 and beyond. The European finished vehicle logistics sector will get some much-needed relief as the automotive market ...
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FeatureHow to ensure many happy returns for packaging
Surgere’s RFID refinements are cancelling out the disadvantages of returnable packaging for tier one supplier Johnson ControlsAsk almost anyone in the automotive industry, and they’ll tell you that, in theory, returnable packaging is a great idea. When it comes to using this equipment, however, their views may be less flattering. ...
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FeatureBringing it back to North America
OEMs and tier one suppliers are increasingly prefering to shorten their supply chains, but in decisions on near-shoring or re-shoring, pragmatism will prevailIn this story... Nissan’s supplier parkEnd of the exodus Cost and currency Making the right decisionsA ceremony at the Canton, Mississippi vehicle assembly plant of Nissan this past ...
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FeatureIndia packaging – the next best thing to being naked
Short of parts arriving without any packaging at all, OEMs and inbound logictics providers in India are working together to ensure line-side delivery in the most efficient and cost-effective means possible Experts claim that the price of packaging, including its transport costs and impacts on the automotive supply chain, account ...
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FeatureCaterpillar moves the earth for better distribution
The volumes and logistics capabilities of the world’s largest maker of earth-moving machinery are intertwined with global growth and government investment in its US-baseMoving high-and-heavy equipment, such as construction machinery, is a tricky and costly logistics task. Many products are outsized, requiring dedicated facilities and special permits to travel on ...