All features articles – Page 62
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FeatureDaimler wants a total supply chain view
Dr Holger Scherr, head of Worldwide Transport Logistics, wants to bring a change to logistics at Daimler, helping the OEM to better understand logistics across all of its business unitsLogistics is the proof for production strategiesTransport beyond supply-and-demand economicsA step toward cooperationPotential incentive schemes for inbound carriersIn 2009, as Daimler ...
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FeatureVehicles in the box come out of the closet
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 ...
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It’s not how you track it, it’s who will pay?
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 ...
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FeatureTrucking better together
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, ...
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FeatureThe rise of emergency logistics services
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 ...
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FeatureGrowth brings a sea change for Kia and Glovis
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 ...
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Toyota’s true strength
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. ...
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FeatureAn uncertain future for European intermodal
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 ...
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FeatureCan ERP play a greater in the auto supply chain?
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 ...
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FeatureWill logistics help end a long winter in Eastern Europe?
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 ...
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FeatureAll these tiny flows
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 ...
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FeatureWho is the greenest of them all?
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 ...
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FeatureHankook Tire keeps on rolling on
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 ...
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FeatureSharing spare space for spare parts
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 ...
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FeatureTime to get smart (repair) in India and China
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, ...
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FeatureFord’s Asian vista
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 ...
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FeatureSearching for the silver lining
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).
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Make way for the little guys
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 ...
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FeatureGrooming the yard
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 ...
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FeatureEuropean car ports are waiting on an Asian dream
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 ...