All features articles – Page 61

  • tracking1
    Feature

    Vehicles in the box come out of the closet

    2010-04-01T16:46:45Z

    Container growth for smaller volume destinationsA more frequent service Ro-ro vs container: the cost equationMoving vehicles in containers door to doorMoving vehicles by containers is becoming more common for shipping vehicles in lower volumes and higher frequencies, particularly to and from developing markets. But the potential benefit might be farther ...

  • Feature

    It’s not how you track it, it’s who will pay?

    2010-04-01T16:33:15Z

    The enduring barcode popularityThe RFID fanbaseWhat about the satellite solution?Information overloadMore attention is being paid to tracking vehicles in the outbound supply chain than ever before. Marcia MacLeod finds out what is really needed and asks who is willing to stump up the cash?It may have taken a while for ...

  • hino
    Feature

    Trucking better together

    2010-04-01T15:37:56Z

    A close relationship with its 3PL and a carrierThe move to ‘decking’Importing once again from JapanHino Motors has had to adjust its distribution strategy in the face of the decline in commercial vehicle sales, but has seen clearly the benefit of working strategically together with its 3PL and truck carrier, ...

  • services-1.jpg
    Feature

    The rise of emergency logistics services

    2010-04-01T15:35:55Z

    Push to pull modelJust-in-time assemblyRelease of new modelsScheduling inaccuracyManufacturing shift to the EastWill it last?The financial crisis saw an unpredictable rise and fall of different logistics segments. Transport and warehousing, being the core logistics activities, remained relatively stable, even though the revenue generated out of them dropped significantly. Green supply ...

  • kia01
    Feature

    Growth brings a sea change for Kia and Glovis

    2010-04-01T15:34:51Z

    Kia sees changes for its logisticsKia’s export routes and carriers in 2010The dangers of the deep seaAs vessels grow smaller orders are kept waitingKoreans follow Hyundai-KiaFree trade agreements will help KiaIT integration a must as Kia growsAs Kia continues to defy the global downturn, the company is focusing on getting ...

  • Feature

    Toyota’s true strength

    2010-04-01T15:06:47Z

    Toyota’s recall crisis is a serious threat to its reputation, but its abiding strength has been how rigorously it manages its supply chain and production. In that respect Toyota must get back to its rootsThe sticky accelerator crisis is certainly a low point in the otherwise shining history of Toyota. ...

  • inter-1
    Feature

    An uncertain future for European intermodal

    2010-04-01T13:01:12Z

    The European intermodal network does not always offer carmakers the flexible and low cost service that most seek today, and without investment and legislative reform, Andrew Williams discovers that the longterm trend toward road may continueBlock trains alone are not enoughPort problemsSmall changes go a long wayShow me the moneyIntermodal ...

  • ERP-1
    Feature

    Can ERP play a greater in the auto supply chain?

    2010-04-01T12:40:22Z

    The automotive industry has typically lagged beyond others in the use of ERP systems, particularly for functions beyond accounting or demand management. That is starting to change, with India and China leading the wayAn historically limited use of ERP in automotiveConfigurability more than customisationIndia and China are moving ahead of ...

  • WINTER-1
    Feature

    Will logistics help end a long winter in Eastern Europe?

    2010-04-01T12:19:49Z

    Sales in Eastern Europe and Russia have generally been decimated, although with manufacturers taking a long view, logistics has a critical role to play in making or breaking the recoveryRussia shores up domestic productionThe headache of getting goods into RussiaDomestic troubles as wellInstability in Central and Eastern EuropeRenault Nissan ties ...

  • chinese-carmakers
    Feature

    All these tiny flows

    2010-04-01T12:15:21Z

    Ro-ro vessels continue to build serviceThe ro-ro alternatives: containers or CKDA rise in premium importsVehicle exports from China have started to rise again, but the volumes are in small batches to underdeveloped markets, making it a tough proposition for major shipping lines and logistics companies. But with imports rising as ...

  • green-1.jpg
    Feature

    Who is the greenest of them all?

    2010-04-01T11:57:23Z

    The jury is still out on whether or not the automotive logistics sector is really going to make carbon emissions a definable KPI ahead of government regulation. But as Maxine Elkin discovers, companies at least have plenty to talk aboutWe keep being told that carbon management will become a part ...

  • hankook-1.jpg
    Feature

    Hankook Tire keeps on rolling on

    2010-04-01T11:42:13Z

    The Korean tyremaker has just had a record year and is looking to extend its reach in both mature and emerging markets, with logistics playing an essential role in maintaining service levels to OEMs and dealersHankook expands production in EuropeGlobal growth in the aftermarket continuesThe logistics network from South KoreaTyre ...

  • space-1.jpg
    Feature

    Sharing spare space for spare parts

    2010-04-01T11:18:14Z

    Carmakers and suppliers are driving down inventory and consolidating distribution for aftermarket logistics following the economic slowdown, but as Marcus Williams discovers, there could be many more collaborative benefits to be foundLow inventory vs. service levelPrecision profilesCollaborative networksA question of trustFinding the right solutionAftermarket sales are typically more stable than ...

  • smartrepair
    Feature

    Time to get smart (repair) in India and China

    2010-04-01T10:52:38Z

    PDI work is important for exportsLimited technical paint repair in PDI centresA quick fixPaint-less technologyA future for smarter repairA lack of transparent reporting masks high damage rates in India and China, but as consumer expectations shift there should be a big market for PDI and smart repair in these markets, ...

  • africa-1.jpg
    Feature

    Ford’s Asian vista

    2010-04-01T10:48:22Z

    Expanding in Asia Pacific Africa, Ford is growing the smart way with a push toward stronger electronic communication across its supply chain here, including the rollout of its European order-to-delivery system, Vista.Forecasting freight and dutyFlexible manufacturing and supplyBeing the first to build-to-order vehicles in AsiaSupply chain IT: champagne taste, a ...

  • sftsl
    Feature

    Searching for the silver lining

    2010-04-01T10:07:00Z

    Last year was a devastating one for European ports that depend on car handling. But while recovery is uncertain, Piotr Switalski uncovers the collaborative strategies towards which both ports and policymakers must work (Christopher Ludwig contributed reporting).

  • Feature

    Make way for the little guys

    2010-01-02T15:59:57Z

    Good time for a Plan CA market splintering rather than consolidatingThe US car carrier sector is in transition, and while many companies are disappearing, carmakers and 3PLs are giving more business to smaller, niche players for certain routes, reports Barry CrossThe US automotive outbound sector has seen chronic failures among ...

  • grooom
    Feature

    Grooming the yard

    2010-01-02T15:59:44Z

    Specialised software on the riseTagging to trackIncreasing productivityThe road aheadIT systems, whether hardware or software, are beginning to be more sophisticated for managing flows in and out of vehicle yards. Jim Romeo reportsWhile the automotive inbound and outbound supply chain has become more complex, the IT systems used to track ...

  • asiandream
    Feature

    European car ports are waiting on an Asian dream

    2010-01-02T15:54:54Z

    China’s big paper plansAssessing the European landing pointKia went to a smaller port, and so could othersChina and India have raced ahead in domestic car sales, but logistics providers and port operators in Europe are wondering when, and if, they will arrive on local shores in any substantial way. Malcolm ...

  • Feature

    Handling cars with a little less human touch

    2010-01-02T15:50:01Z

    Chock full of vehicle sizesProtect only where it countsDesign the terminal rightLooking to Asia as a guideA group effortSixthSeventhEighthWhile OEMs spend significant amounts of money on protective products, the most important measure that can be taken is training staff and developing careful processes for handling and inspecting vehicles. Carmakers and ...