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All features articles – Page 55
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FeatureTaking a rational approach
With supply chain costs and risks on the increase, Andrew Williams looks at how LSPs can respond to the squeeze on relatively healthy German manufacturers and their suppliers. Additional reporting by Christopher Ludwig.Modest growth;Engineering intelligence and the Mittelstand;Not shielded from risk;Building transnational supply chains;Transparency and collaboration.In spite of Europe’s economic ...
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FeatureAnother second chance in Detroit
Expanding the distribution networkExport growthFind ways to collaborateOcean capacity–a move towards global tenders?Rail wagon shortages Doing well on the road With fast growing volume in North America, and surprisingly strong exports, the Chrysler Group’s resurgence under Fiat’s control has been one of the industry’s best tales of turnaround. Efficient, global ...
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FeatureGaz reaps the benefits of paying on time
Russia's largest commercial vehicle maker Gaz is working to improve its logistics processes as part of an ongoing overhaul of operations designed to cut its high debt ratio and build on an impressive return to profitability since 2008. Under the leadership of president and CEO Bo Andersson (pictured), formerly global ...
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FeatureBremerhaven takes lead in Euro vehicle handling
The German port of Bremerhaven has taken the top European spot for vehicle handling in 2011-and likely the world-with a record-breaking volume of 2,050,000 units handled last year. The result represents a 30% increase in vehicle handling compared to the previous year and means Bremerhaven has come from ...
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FeatureBuilding the Indian fleet
Dreams of being in the top ten A long-term business plan Glovis India has grown tremendously since it entered India, including its recent entry into owning a fleet of car carriers. Ramesh Kumar discovers that the company aims to crack the top ten set of logistics providers by 2015.Sometimes, you ...
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FeatureCrazy for perfection
On the surface cover, a global standardDigging around the roots of damageThe damapre meeting and kaizen katsudoA lower rate of damageThe effects of climate changeNeed something else besides perfectionThe Japanese have high expectations for product perfection from fruit to cars, which is one reason why its OEMs have some of ...
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FeatureCan one size fit all for IT optimsation?
Strategic, tactical and operationalCollaborative approach?Rolling out the system network wide The use of IT tools to improve efficiency in the outbound supply chain is increasing, but the question is how far providers and OEMs are willing to go. Andrew Williams investigates the potential for systems across networks and nations. ...
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FeatureDriving through the danger zone
Exports and assets help Spanish carriers survive A deep imbalance A resilient CATGetting Europe in harmonyNot easy to be longer or higherA peculiarly British problemSeventhEighthChris Lewis investigates how European road providers are surviving in the face of another potential recession and an investment shortage. Additional reporting by Christopher Ludwig on ...
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FeatureLSPs seek global slice of post-production work
A chance to extend outsourcing in China Will Indian OEMs hand over the reigns?Expanding terminals in North AfricaEstablished services in the USBMW keeps it in-house but remains flexibleWhile some carmakers keep as much post-production work in-house as possible, port terminals and logistics providers believe they can do the work cheaper. ...
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FeatureLogistics in a of land of extremes
A booming region for high and heavyStill a growth regionPorts are well developedDeep- and short-sea services to the regionTurkey and Israel standoutWhere deep-sea lines rarely voyageImport and sales growth to the Middle East have been substantial in the past few years, particularly for high-and-heavy and commercial vehicle imports. Malcolm Wheatley ...
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FeatureRoom for improvement
Backlogs and bottlenecksA need for optimismNo need for pessimismDaimler’s outbound logistics providers were told that they needed to improve their performance and invest in new transport equipment to support the carmaker’s ‘best or nothing’ credo at this year’s European Carrier Day, writes Marcus Williams.Das Beste oder nichts. The best or ...
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FeatureLatin's America's export engine
Northbound networkOcean exportsVehicle processing connectionsThe domestic networkOverland challengesZero-damage mindsetMexico is the fastest growing region for vehicle production in North America. While its benefiting from some recovery to its main market in the US, it is also expanding its links to the south in Latin America, reports Anthony CoiaMexican automotive production ...
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FeaturePartners in search of partnership
Shared tenders means shared providers Combining the port network Lowering inventory with lead times Outbound has not caught up with inbound Is the best yet to come for rail? Close and fair relationships Renault Nissan has converged more of the outbound logistics planning and operations for the two brands across ...
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FeatureLean logistics on the rise in the East
Ellen Hua looks at how China’s OEMs and logistics providers are bringing more sophisiticated services to warehouses and assembly lines.Adding value to the supply chain;Inbound logistics sourcing;Container management control;Supplier parks in the Chinese context;Building IT capabilities;China's 3PL, 4PL and 3.5PL;Global 3PLs look westward;The lean journey.Sustained high growth in China’s automotive ...
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FeatureAn almost endless potential
With BMW’s production at full speed, logistics has become critical in maintaining record profits. But Dr Karl May, head of logistics, tells Christopher Ludwig that there have been service failures and he’s looking for reliable partners to share BMW’s considerable growth.The sound of opportunity speeding through;The necessary preassure of logistics;The ...
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An EC-funded supply chain link
Cologne-based Alfah is typical of many smaller businesses in the automotive supply chain. A regional spare parts distributor with 12 employees, its business consists of sourcing parts from wholesalers and then selling them to small repair shops.Until recently, the company had to check the availability of a given part by ...
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The next generation of RFID
Launched in November, Zebra Technologies’ third generation real-time location system, WhereLAN III, significantly boosts the technology’s appeal to the automotive supply chain.It improves on previous generations in three important regards–each of which has relevance in automotive applications, including the finished vehicle supply chain, inbound logistics and assembly plant operations.First, noted ...
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FeatureAnother BRIC builds a wall
Trade barriers are going up again. Christopher Ludwig writes that carmakers and logistics providers will have to adapt to avoid sinking outside the border.The narrative of globalisation tells of nations steadily dismantling national barriers for a free exchange of goods and services. But in today’s souring political and economic climate, ...
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FeatureAn insider's insight into India
With carmakers demanding the same level of 3PL service in India as they do elsewhere around the globe, Ramesh Kumar discovers the strengths that enable the country’s homegrown providers–such as TCI Supply Chain Solutions–to compete with global players.When Jasjit Sethi, the chief executive officer of TCI Supply Chain Solutions (TCI ...
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FeatureStacking up the benefits of IT
Aftermarket software solutions are key to OEMs providing a cost-effective and quality service throughout their supply chains. Anthony Coia takes a look at the diversity, drivers and development of several such systems.Integration challanges;Nissan and the click system;Reducing diversity at Renault Nissan;Nascent systems for emerging markets;Growth challenges.In the wake of economic ...