Global news in brief

Bridgestone has renewed its contract with DHL Supply Chain in Jönköping, Sweden until 2013 for the provision of warehousing and a number of value-added services including assembling and studding of tyres.

DHL has handled Bridgestone Europe’s warehouse operations for the Swedish market since 1997 and at is logistics center in Jönköping, it manages the warehousing of tyres for cars, motorcycles, trucks and agriculture machines.

The logistics provider recently launched its ”Tire Initiative”, a new programme aimed at tyre makers in Europe which focuses on strategic efforts to share experience, knowledge and best practice within the DHL Supply Chain tyre segment.

“We are very happy with the renewed contract with Bridgestone. Our strategy is to grow within the European tyre segment. Therefore, this contract is of great importance not only to us but for the entire Group. We now keep our position as a strong player in warehousing and value-added services for the tyre industry,” said Johan Gustavsson, commercial manager for DHL Supply Chain in Sweden.

German logistics provider Mosolf is setting up a joint venture with China Capital Logistics for the provision of logistics services to Beijing Benz, Daimler’s joint venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, which produces the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and C-Class in Beijing.

 

The company is planning to release further details at a later point in Q1.

 

Mosolf is an established LSP for Daimler in Europe and China Capital Logistics, itself a joint venture between BAIC and China Shougang International Trade & Engineering Corp. became an LSP for Beijing Benz at the end of 2009.

 

The spare parts and aftersales subsidiary of Iranian carmaker Iran Khodro (IKCO) – known as ISACO – is expanding its activity in Iraq where the main volume of its parts exports were delivered last year, supporting sales of 49,000 vehicles.

 

IKCO has established a service network in Iraq serving the cities of Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad and Dahuk, and is aiming to double its services in the country.

 

After Iraq, the Iranian carmaker’s main markets are North Africa and CIS countries.

 

The company is aiming at a 9% export target of its total volume of 75,000 vehicles this year. Its main export vehicle is the Samand to which it intends to add the Runna by the end of 2011.

Union Pacific Railroad has received Toyota Canada’s Logistics Partner Award for on-time performance and customer service, the third consecutive year the company has been recognised with the award by the carmaker.

 

Union Pacific has been providing Toyota with logistics services for more than 20 years and since 2009 reports that it has handled more than 1,000 carloads of the Toyota’s Canada-bound vehicles. It directly serves vehicle assembly plants in the Western US and carries imported vehicles from West Coast and Gulf Coast ports, as well as operating vehicle distribution centres for the other major automotive manufacturers.

 

Bosal UK has awarded a two-year contract to supply chain provider Nightfreight GB for next day delivery of the its full aftermarket product range including exhaust systems, catalytic converters and towbars.

 

Nightfreight will hold the contract exclusively and will provide deliveries to 1,200 delivery points within Bosal’s automotive customer network in the UK.

 

“We operate in a very demanding environment and it is essential for us to have a logistics partner which has the flexibility to adapt to the daily needs of our customer base,” said Peter Hayden, Bosal’s sales and marketing director. “By joining in partnership with Nightfreight, we are confident of building a successful, long-term relationship which will grow over the period of time.”