All features articles – Page 61
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FeatureFinding a common language for vehicle logistics
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, ...
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FeatureGetting closer all the time
Last year, the Renault-Nissan Alliance began rewriting its playbook for logistics with the creation of common management charged with speeding up the pace of integration for parts and vehicle logistics. A year and a half later, the progress is much higher than anticipated.In June 2009, when Carlos Ghosn, the CEO ...
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FeatureBringing lean to the LSPs
A philosophy of lean logistics and continuous improvement is not just for the large carmakers of the world; even smaller logistics providers have found ways to use the principles to improve their business.The Huppertz Group, a medium-sized, family-owned German logistics provider, will open a logistics centre in 2011 in Kassel ...
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FeatureStanding atop the Welt of BMW’s vehicle distribution
Central controlA reserved approach to outsourcingKeeping a stable distribution flowEurope–an unexpected rise in subcontractingNorth America–get the capacity in thereChina–surprisingly collaborative providersLooking ahead–IT and carbon cuttingMathias Wellbrock is carefully driving BMW’s outbound logistics with tight, in-house control while building closer relationships with providers; all of which is becoming even more critical ...
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FeatureTurning virtual orders into reality at Ford
Better logistics means better cash flowGlobal order to deliveryOne order system for one FordShifting the lead focus to outbound logisticsNorth America todayThe evolving Ford networkWhen should the capacity come back?EighthCross-continental vehicle flows, programming logistics into the order-to-delivery process and keeping an eye on costs are all part of the logistics ...
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FeatureThe bear wakes up
Customary problemsSecondBranching outFools and roadsInto the interiorExport from RussiaRussia’s carmakers are coming out of hibernation, and as the market picks up, logistics providers must prepare for delivering to a domestic market beyond St Petersburg and Moscow, and keep the outbound logistics cost effective, writes Andrew WilliamsIn the wake of the ...
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FeatureDownturn puts wagon innovations on hold
Short contracts hamper investmentIndia: land of opportunityChanging gear in a volatile marketCrossing borders in EuropeThe global economic downturn has killed off orders for new specialist car carrier rail wagons, even though industry experts agree there is a lot of scope to improve the design of this equipment to better serve ...
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FeatureRiver deep, mountain high
Dicey roads, creaking bridges and traffic jamsIveco focuses on BrazilExports fall offMAN trucks on As the South American giant speeds away from the financial crisis, the country’s notorious infrastructure and challenging terrain is causing problems again. But that is not stopping the delivery of buses and trucks, just slowing it ...
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FeatureIs the giant ready to grow again?
Ceva has faced financial difficulty for the past two years as it coped with debt and recession. Whilst the debt has not gone away, the company is now sufficiently profitable to look at growth. Thomas Cullen has been talking to Ceva’s CEO John Pattullo and considers the company’s optionsBig financeThe ...
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FeaturePutting plan B into action
When the best-laid schemes of supply chain management go askew, premium freight is the last and best resort to avoid the worst. Marcia MacLeod looks at the contingency thinking and critical strategies that save the day."What if" thinkingPersonal servicesSupply chain preassuresIn an ideal world the automotive supply chain would run ...
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FeatureSpace for rent
The automotive warehouse real estate market has taken a major hit, but it remains a dynamic sector where the requirements are becoming more and more specificA different game in AsiaThe shape of automotive warehousingInbound warehouses versus aftermarketFuture trends for warehousing locationsThe world’s automotive industry has had a torrid three years: ...
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FeatureMaking plans reality
The dividing line between IT vendors offering planning systems, and those offering execution systems may no longer hold.The split between planning and executionDownturn brings the two sides togetherBuild-to-order productionIn April, as the Icelandic volcano filled European air space with ash clouds, leading to much of its closure, the assembly lines ...
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FeatureIndia is hungry for logistics change
The growth for local as well as export demand out of India is making the need for supply chain improvements a must. While progress is slow, Namrita Chow finds some hope on the horizon, from tax reform to an increase in returnable packagingTaxation hurdlesInfrastructure needs upgrading: portsRail in IndiaRoads in ...
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FeatureIndian exports seek the perfect port
The Big Two versus home-grown talentAny port in a boom?Mumbai PortMundra PortChennai PortEnnore PortThe futureForeign carmakers have been quick to seize the opportunity of using India as an export base for small cars. Since 1998, policies in India have supported wholly-owned vehicle manufacturing facilities allowing foreign carmakers to set up ...
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FeatureIs sharing a box worth it?
Container pooling tackles some important hidden costs in the inbound supply chain. But are the opportunities offered by the approach being ignored as OEMs and suppliers struggle with larger problems?Pool playersA pool, not a puddleImpact of the crisisCurrent challenges but future opportunityTracking the boxesPackaging in the inbound automotive supply chain ...
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FeatureA simple approach to damage prevention
Training is the best defenceSpeeding up the claim timeData capture is the frontline of preventionLet’s talk about damageJust a simple premise that goes a long wayThe fight against damage is fought on many fronts, from protective products to sophisticated data tracking systems. But a focus on staff training and continuous ...
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FeatureHow to cope without a crystal ball
General Motor’s head of logistics Susanna Webber talks to Christopher Ludwig about improving supplier relations and how a total enterprise cost approach could help the company understand how to react to future risk and changes in the global supply chainLooking back and learning from the painThe recession's silver liningBuilding a ...
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FeatureRussia takes tighter control of industrial policy
Russia has been using an ‘industrial assembly’ scheme for several years that mandates foreign carmakers and parts producers with operations in the country. Under the scheme they are required to maintain certain levels of production, obligatory technological operations, localisation and reporting, in exchange for tariff concessions. The authorised ministries have ...
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FeaturePorsche balances in-and outsourced logistics
While logistics is the most common part of the supply chain for manufacturers to outsource, the balance between in-house and outsourced management and control functions is different depending on the OEM.One carmaker that in recent years has developed a strong central logistics management organisation is Porsche, which concentrates considerable internal ...
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FeatureWhen will packaging be king?
A panel of packaging engineers and experts from automotive manufacturers discusses with Maxine Elkin why packaging needs to have more recognition from management and at all stages of the supply chainThis year our panel of packaging experts has once again pointed to pallet standardisation as a central theme for automotive ...