All features articles – Page 59

  • ready-for-rush
    Feature

    Ready for the rush?

    2011-01-01T15:54:51Z

    It’s time to ship directFinland will lose outToyota supports revised customs rulesMaking better use of spaceRail remains an expensive optionWill large-sale imports continue?Tran Siberian debate continuesChris Lewis takes another look at the finished vehicle imports going though ports into Russia, and discovers that business is seriously picking up, and that ...

  • approach-1.jpg
    Feature

    An economic approach to logistics

    2011-01-01T15:38:50Z

    The reason behind Renault-Nissan’s restructuring of its logistics organisation was to reinforce the importance of supply chain planning and integrate it fully into the day-today business from the design stage forward. Marcus Williams reports on the progress that has been made since the establishment of the Global Supply Chain DepartmentPart ...

  • wake-1.jpg
    Feature

    Tier ones wake up to IT

    2011-01-01T15:11:32Z

    Tier one suppliers face many challenges in making the most of their supply chain IT, but new offerings by suppliers and a new openness in the industry may deliver much.Garbage in, garbage outShining light into a black holeIn the new normalDon't buy, rentLimitations of a legacyIt is quicker, cheaper and ...

  • packed-1.jpg
    Feature

    Packed with potential

    2011-01-01T14:56:32Z

    Manufacturers in North America have emerged from the crisis with a renewed appreciation for the cost-saving potential of packaging, with more consideration at the part-design phaseSilver liningsRoom for improvementIt's all gone southAutomotive packaging technology tends to evolve at the pace of vehicle programmes. Carmakers and suppliers may feel the pressure ...

  • daimler
    Feature

    Daimler grows amid a divided Europe

    2011-01-01T14:54:00Z

    A growing gap among logistics providersThe great capacity debate resumesA time of tender opportunityGrowth at seaGetting back to greenDaimler’s 11th annual European Carrier Day came at a time when the carmaker is accelerating globally in sales and logistics development, and often well ahead of its many vehicle logistics providers in ...

  • ford-2.jpg
    Feature

    Ford of Europe’s brave new world

    2011-01-01T14:32:15Z

    The sales climate might be decidedly mixed in Europe, but Ford is pushing through with big changes and improvements in its logistics networks, from substantially more intermodal transport to time-critical vehicle logistics. Christopher Ludwig catches up with Ford’s Matthias SchulzA marriage of sacred vowsIncreasing rail and short seaPassion projectsUnderstanding the ...

  • up-1.jpg
    Feature

    Chinese supply grows up

    2010-10-01T16:51:17Z

    Strikes and walk-outs by workers demanding better pay may be a bellweather for the future, but it is not denting the major suppliers’ commitment to investing in ChinaChoosing a service provider: local vs globalDealing with damageKeeping up with the codesCurrency valuation affects costsThere have been strikes and standoffs at plants ...

  • asean-1.jpg
    Feature

    Asean alliance boosts car industry

    2010-10-01T15:59:57Z

    Namrita Chow discovers that the Asean states are investing in the car business to the benefit of local and international OEMs. However, the logistics support structure is still fragmented and outdated, and they are competing with the manufacturing expert - ChinaFavourable tariffsAsean versus China as production base?New vehicle port links ...

  • audit-1.jpg
    Feature

    Freight audit on the rise in Europe

    2010-10-01T15:03:03Z

    Long an outsourced service in the US, Europe-based manufacturers are beginning cotton on to the benefits of freight audit and pay, and other e-commerce tools to tighten their supply chainsEurope is complicatedTier suppliers sold on freight audit and payBorn in the 1950s out of US legislation standardising freight rates and ...

  • conundrum
    Feature

    Facing up to the capacity conundrum

    2010-10-01T14:41:38Z

    The North American situationIs investment in capacity the solution?Beyond boom and bustThe European situationTrucking into the futureHow can a country have severe over-capacity for vehicle transport one year, and under-capacity the next? Andrew Williams investigates the factors affecting such swings in the US and Europe, and uncovers the delicate relationships ...

  • manheim
    Feature

    2nd hand cars need 1st class logistics

    2010-10-01T14:33:31Z

    A market in need of logistics innovationGetting volumes up, and complexity downWith the rise of internet auctions, the used car sector is becoming more regional and international, stirring greater demand for efficient logistics services, reports Malcolm Wheatley.Used car transactions take place thousands of times a day–in corporate parking lots, rental ...

  • damageinspect
    Feature

    Carefully cutting claims

    2010-10-01T14:09:43Z

    Driving claims lower in EuropeOEMs trim damage in the USInsurers eye deeper integrationIndians avoid scrapAssociations add impetusClaims and insurance processing have made steady strides in recent years in developed and developing countries alike. Tight cooperation between OEMs, insurers and logistics providers is helping to further accelerate the claims process in ...

  • brazil-1.jpg
    Feature

    Brazil’s suppliers expand

    2010-10-01T13:10:46Z

    Global tier ones in Brazil restructured their supply chains during the industry slump, only to find a year later that they were scrambling to meet huge new demand. Tony Danby investigates how the timely overhaul of their logistics and supply chains has helped them cope with the unexpected onslaught of ...

  • consolidated-market
    Feature

    Have the tides turned for car shipping?

    2010-10-01T13:06:21Z

    A new market entrantTrade from Japan must pick upQuite a bit of cargo aroundThe one concern above all othersNo one is pretending there has been a return to pre-recession highs, but the car shipping market has come back to high speed and nearly full capacity. But with worries over a ...

  • frontier-1.jpg
    Feature

    Fathoming the new frontier

    2010-10-01T12:37:31Z

    Carmakers and LSPs getting to grips with the complexities of the new Customs Code unifying Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan need a good eye for detail and a close relationship with customs officials if they are to tackle what remains a risky procedure full of compromise and hidden costsInvestment fearsSomething old, ...

  • 4m
    Feature

    The road to 4m cars is paved with rail

    2010-10-01T12:14:37Z

    The road remains the only way to goTrailers of all different sizesMature logistics: using regional stockyardsWith the Indian market on pace to surpass 4m units a year in the next five years, manufacturers are increasingly dissatisfied with the low standard of vehicle distribution, and want to see a viable rail ...

  • misty-1
    Feature

    A misty outlook for container sea trade

    2010-10-01T12:03:29Z

    Car component trade by sea container has recovered well since the recession, but box shortages and slow steaming have caused issues for some manufacturers’ supply chains. And with the outlook uncertain, capacity questions remain unansweredContainer shipping and the car businessHonda UK works direct with shippersSafmarine builds a closer relationship with ...

  • change-1.jpg
    Feature

    An emerging case for change

    2010-10-01T11:19:40Z

    Supply chains in emerging markets present unique challenges for packaging. Companies are now beginning to adopt the best of the established techniques, and are developing some interesting new approaches of their ownTata introduces pooled packagingWestern packaging providers move into ChinaStandards are a major concernWhat to do when suppliers aren't where ...

  • china-hinges
    Feature

    China’s growth hinges on its ports

    2010-10-01T10:18:05Z

    Shanghai PortGerman craftsmanship is in demandHigh and heavy calls the shotsSea routes linking north and south ChinaThe future?China imports more cars from Europe and the US than it exports and the trend looks set to continue. Namrita Chow reveals that in spite of being restricted to five ports for bringing ...

  • aiag
    Feature

    Finding a common language for vehicle logistics

    2010-10-01T10:10:32Z

    The costs of not having standardsEurope is behindThe outbound chain is characterised by OEMs and LSPs each using their own words and codes when it comes to things like scheduling, tracking and payment. Malcolm Wheatley discovers some progress toward standardisation, but will OEMs invest in change?For the two companies involved, ...