All articles by Marcus Williams – Page 44
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NewsCovid crisis has advanced digital connectivity in the automotive supply chain
If there is one silver lining to the Covid-19 crisis, it is that carmakers and their suppliers have been forced to adopt digital tools to communicate faster and to remotely visualise together what is necessary in managing plant shutdowns and ramp-ups. Lessons have been learned in how better to establish the digital transformation of supply chain management that will push the industry forward as a whole.
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NewsXiaopeng Motors begins electric SUV exports to Europe
Chinese start-up carmaker Xiaopeng Motors (XPeng) has started exports of its G3 electric SUV to Europe, with the first models expected on the roads in November this year. The vehicle went on sale in the country in June. The vehicles were loaded at Xinsha Port in Guangzhou on September 24.
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NewsMonika Thielemann-Hald takes over as global head of automotive logistics at Hellmann
Monika Thielemann-Hald has joined Hellmann Worldwide Logistics as global head of automotive logistics, replacing Martin Wehner who has moved to a new role at the company as chief commercial officer Europe.
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NewsFord and Toyota talk about the benefits of returning to sender
Carmakers used last week’s ALSC Live online conference to reveal a range of sustainable packaging strategies they were employing in an effort to cut waste along with cost.
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FeatureManaging a dynamic global service parts network from Germersheim
Mercedes-Benz is using new ergonomic working principles and the latest digital technology to automate processes at its global parts logistics centre in Germersheim. Machine learning and cloud computing are also being used to help with demand planning for the high volume of parts the facility receives and distributes daily
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NewsRivian outlines sustainable packaging initiative
Electric vehicle start-up Rivian has revealed details of a plastic recycling initiative that aims by 2024 to collect 500,000kg (1.1m lbs) of single-use plastic annually and stop it from floating out to sea. Rivian will instead turn it into the containers it uses to move parts inbound to its production line.
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NewsIndustry mourns the loss of William Schroeder
It is with great sadness that Automotive Logistics has learned of the death last week of William Schroeder, management consultant and former general manager of the Auto Haulers Association of America (AHAA). The association represents the interests of finished vehicle carriers in the US and aims to improve communication and ...
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NewsJapan-UK free trade deal will benefit automotive industry
Japan and the UK have secured a free trade agreement estimated to increase trade between the two countries by £15.2 billion ($19.25 billion). It will give UK companies exporting to Japan a competitive advantage in a number of areas as and promises to reduce duties and regulatory barriers on imported vehicles and parts from Japan. According to the UK government’s Department for International Trade, UK businesses will benefit from tariff-free trade on 99% of exports to Japan and government analysis shows that a deal with Japan would deliver a £1.5 billion boost to the UK economy
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NewsYazaki’s proactive, risk-averse approach to the crisis a success, says Bo Andersson
Yazaki is taking a more strategic and coordinated approach to the automotive supply chain as it continues to stabilise production in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Bo Andersson, Yazaki’s president of Europe and CEO and president of North America, says the company is looking for opportunities to consolidate and improve logistics planning and control, including through the use of third party logistics (3PL) providers, greater localisation, communication and inventory planning
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NewsBetter communication a key success factor for commercial vehicle sector
The strong ramp-up in commercial vehicle production following the coronavirus shutdowns has been facilitated by better transparency and communication in the supply chain according to speakers at this week’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live conference. However, there is still room for improvement as the sector deals with the fallout of the coronavirus and new pressures on the inbound supply chain.
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NewsDigital tools promise a more resilient supply chain post-Covid
If Covid has taught the automotive sector anything it is about the importance of resilience in the supply chain. The investment needed to ensure that however, comes at a time of economic uncertainty when the industry as a whole is looking for cost reduction.
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NewsNow is the time to get vehicle distribution out of the stone age
The number one strategic challenge for the automotive logistics sector right now is in matching vehicle distribution with demand through new channels of communication and different levels of service. According to Volvo Cars’ logistics chief Martin Corner, the future depends on better collaboration between carmakers and their LSPs on adapting the outbound supply chain to accommodate the growth of electric vehicles.
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NewsToyota uses Fujitsu quantum computing to solve complex parts distribution
Toyota Systems has been working with Fujitsu on a quantum computing tool to organise the complex distribution of automotive parts in Japan. The companies have carried out a joint trial using Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer, a digital technology capable of performing parallel, real-time optimisation calculations at a speed and scale not covered by traditional computing, to solve a delivery problem with 3m potential routes for parts deliveries
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NewsSkoda using biodegradable packaging for parts exports to India
Skoda Auto is testing biodegradable film for the packaging of vehicle components shipped from its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, to its Indian plant in Pune. The carmaker said the packaging will save around 500kg of conventional plastic film each month.
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NewsVW to use sustainable electricity for all shipments by rail in Germany
Volkswagen Group aims to switch all of the material, parts and vehicles it moves in Germany with state-run rail provider Deutsche Bahn to ‘green electricity’ by 2021 and also wants to increase the number of vehicles it moves by rail in Germany to 60% by 2022, an 8% increase on the number currently moved
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NewsDaimler automates inbound communications at Wörth plant
Trucks carrying inbound parts to the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle plant in Wörth, Germany are now sending out automated arrival announcements thanks to a new IT system set up by parent company Daimler and software development partners Inform and Fleetboard Logistics.
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NewsDeboeuf moves to senior manufacturing and supply chain role at Groupe PSA
Arnaud Deboeuf has moved to the role of executive vice-president of manufacturing and supply chain French carmaker Groupe PSA. replaces Yann Vincent who has moved to become CEO of the Automotive Cell Company (ACC), a joint venture founded by Groupe PSA and Total.
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NewsAnita Pieper returns to plant logistics at BMW Leipzig
Anita Pieper (pictured) has moved from her role as vice-president of vehicle distribution at BMW Group to a new role leading plant logistics at the carmaker’s Leipzig plant in Germany. Eugen Schantini has taken over her previous role and will now be responsible for global vehicle logistics.
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NewsGefco secures contract with RNM Alliance in France and Netherlands
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has signed a new three-year contract with French logistics provider Gefco for the multimodal movement of finished vehicles in France and the Netherlands
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FeatureSetting the scope for recovery and resilience at Seat
Well before coronavirus became top of everyone’s mind, Seat had been implementing a range of supply chain and logistics technologies at its Martorell plant near Barcelona that supported better control, planning and handling of parts and material in its supply chain. These systems have helped Seat to restart production and to avoid a single stoppage as a result of material shortages, according to Juan Vivas, inbound manager of the Martorell plant