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All features articles – Page 57
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FeatureTreading on new ground
While focusing its North American logistics efforts on more lucrative, higher premium products, tyre manufacturer Pirelli is opting for a ‘local for local’ philosophy as it expands into emerging markets. Tony Danby looks at the company’s LSP selection criteria and its investment in new plants.Trimming costs;All-round expertise;Outsourcing;Mexican factory.Pirelli, one of ...
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FeatureTurning the corner
Key trendsLogistics challengesIn a big countryBuilding on core strengthsConfidence is returning to the automotive industry in Australia after a period of slump but challenges such as infrastructure investment and supply chain flexibility need to be met, writes Andrew Williams.In the wake of the global financial crisis, the Australian automotive industry ...
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FeatureNeapolitan strength from Grimaldi
Automotive backboneNaples leads the growthScrap the old, in with the newProtecting profitsGrimaldi is having a record year, and Christopher Ludwig shows that the Naples-based company’s success is thanks to its strategies for automotive, investment and diversification.Relative to its general business strategy, 2011 should have been a catastrophe so far for ...
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FeatureEurope divided over rail cargoes
To Russia and beyondDistance myth dispelledWhat future for co-loading?...while closed wagons remain too expensiveSpeed of responseThe integration of European rail freight and cross-border standardisation remains a distant dream. Countries have differing state and private provision, with consequences for logistics companies, writes Barry Cross.The European Union has long had ambitions to ...
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FeatureScratching the surface of damage protection
Types of damage Damage limitationHandle with careNew innovation gaining tractionThe long journeys experienced by finished vehicles require a co-ordinated approach to improving handling and prevent the risks of damage in transit, writes Andrew Williams.By the time new cars roll off production lines they will have undergone a series of strict ...
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FeatureServing the next new car boom in Russia
Carriers neededMoving to railDoubts remainCustoms woesGoing domesticThe Russian car market is emerging from the economic downturn and, despite familiar obstacles to be faced, prospects are bright, writes William Ross.It has certainly been a roller-coaster ride in the Russian auto market over the past five years. After a dramatic, rapid rise ...
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FeatureHeavy growth in Brazil
Marcopolo discovers new territoriesAgco harvests logistics savingsConstructive logisticsBrazil’s boom has been driving a wave of investment in the construction and farming industries, through to tourism and retail. Tony Danby looks at how economic growth, the upcoming World Cup and expanding agricultural markets are spurring heavy machinery sales and the challenges ...
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…tracking every car
In the vehicle logistics industry, perhaps the most common IT-related complaint from OEMs is that Amazon customers can trace $15 book purchases online up to delivery, but carmakers cannot track $30,000 vehicles. Track-and-trace systems have become the norm in almost every logistics-based industry.FMCG customers expect product deliveries within a 15-minute ...
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FeaturePalletisation grows in India
The use of pallets in the Indian automotive sector is patchy and influenced by a lack of infrastructure but there are signs that palletisation is about to be embraced.Low take-up of pallestisation;Need for infrastructure improvement;Stabilisation of sizes;Who will be the first to jump?;Parameters for pallet standards.Seldom in the history of ...
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FeatureSuppliers get serious about logistics
Hit hard in the tough times, but expected to respond rapidly when the economy improves, tier one suppliers must find logistics approaches that are fast, cheap and flexible. Jonathan Ward reports that some are now benefitting from investment in IT and process improvements.Simple, fast and cheap;Parts and processes hand in ...
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FeatureAgility required
Continental is bouncing back in China, but is aware that the country’s bureaucracy and lack of visibility present particular challenges to a supply chain that requires a flexible approach.A need to lower inventory;Complex and growing opportunities;Keeping up with logistics demand;The Japan crisis;Sticking to current contracts.The story of Continental in Asia ...
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FeatureGroup dynamics at VW
As the head of VW Group Logistics, Thomas Zernechel is keeping logistics innovation at the forefront of the carmaker’s global expansion, particularly with the rollout of its ‘new logistics concept’.Capacity planning down the tiers;Moving towards crossdocks;Letting the train take the strain;Rolling out hubs for outbound;The role of C02 reduction;A return ...
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FeatureGeodis going further and deeper in automotive
Geodis Wilson is emerging as a major player on the global automotive logistics stage. Part of the Geodis Group, 100% owned by the French railways, SNCF, the company is expanding rapidly on every continent for automotive, from expansion of its airfreight facility in Atlanta to being a full 3PL to ...
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FeatureAfter the disaster in Japan
The tsunami and earthquake in Japan have produced soul-searching about how the industry should react. But there will not be a knee-jerk reaction, and well-established practices will not be thrown into reverseKey industries positions questioned;Minimising impact of disasters.Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March put a significant proportion of the ...
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FeatureChina's aftermarket is waiting for the ripple
The aftermarket in China is lagging behind the manufacture of and demand for cars but there are encouraging signs that consolidation and specialisation of services is on the rise.An overview of China's aftermarket;Early days;The aftermarket versus the auto market;Packaging in the aftermarket;The dealership challenge;Warranty and cost;How excited should companies get?.By ...
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FeatureMaking the warehouse visible
The key to an efficient automotive operation is a successful warehouse system but it needs to be integrated and transparent to reach its optimum efficiency.Consolidating different systems;Supporting cross-docking;Range of picking systems;Barcode scanning;Costs of investment.Ever since the first Model T rolled off Ford’s production line, manufacturing processes were seen as key ...
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Flexible dispatch from America
Towards more flexible wagonsThumbs up for TTXTowards greater co-loadingHow to boost East Coast port traffic?Further market potentialTransit damage still an issueThe US rail network has a high market share for moving vehicles and may still have excess wagons in storage, but the future balance between bi-levels and tri-levels is causing ...
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FeatureArgentine car production accellerates
The Brazil effectGlobal giants investCapacity is getting tightArgentina’s auto sector has been stuttering for the last few years in the wake of the financial crisis. But last year car sales reached a new recor,d based on heightened demand at home as well as strong demand abroad, particularly from Brazil, writes ...
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FeatureThailand takes off
Strong government incentives for manufacturers coupled with regional freetrade agreements and growing domestic and export demand are spurring a fast growing automotive sector in Thailand. Russell Beron and Ellen Hua take a look at how the market is developing and what LSPs are doing to keep up.Thai automotive growth driversA ...
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FeatureThe Kaluga Alternative
In theory, Kaluga should not work as an automotive cluster. It is under-developed, fairly remote and there is a limited labour base. But the attitude adopted by the local authorities and innovative logistics are winning carmakers overSupplying KalugaTransport linksSupply chain evolutionInfrastructureThe customs problemFundamental politicsRussia was, for a moment, Europe’s largest ...