All articles by Marcus Williams – Page 57
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FeatureContainerisation: Why finished vehicle logistics needs to think inside the box
While ro-ro is the traditional method of shipping finished vehicles, containerisation is becoming increasingly viable as the automotive industry decentralises and introduces more EVs. Growth in China and South East Asia offers particularly good opportunities
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FeatureFVL North America Awards finalists revealed
The finalists in the inaugural finished vehicle logistics north america Awards have been announced following a tough judging process by an unrivalled panel of independent industry experts, including representatives from carmakers, logistics providers and transport associations. The awards, which are organised into ten separate categories, celebrate excellence in the ...
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FeatureNissan turns to tablets to increase sales
The retail service that carmakers and their dealers provide is becoming as important to the customer as the vehicle itself. Digital technology is transforming how vehicles and aftermarket parts are supplied and sold, as a new generation of buyers demands greater choice and convenience. Looking for a more sophisticated ‘pull’ ...
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FeatureBMW looks to the cloud to boost productivity
BMW has begun using a digital cloud platform built on software supplied by Microsoft to increase manufacturing and supporting logistics productivity. The Open Manufacturing Platform (OMP) is designed to accelerate the use of internet-of-things (IoT) technology in the supply chain and factory. BMW said it would be shared among OEMs, ...
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FeatureDSV reaches agreement to integrate Panalpina
Danish logistics provider DSV has reached an agreement with rival Swiss firm Panalpina to merge operations following a takeover bid by the former worth $4.6 billion. If the offer meets regulatory approval in June, the combined company will take on the name DSV Panalpina and by the fourth quarter of ...
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FeatureCyber-attacks: not a question of if, but when
As industry becomes ever more connected, the risk of cyber-attacks is increasing, delegates at this year’s Automotive Logistics Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta were warned.Automation, technology and network communications are now central to the daily operations of carmakers and their suppliers, with a vast amount of information and data now ...
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FeatureHonda prepares for sharp rise in EVs and costs
Honda has revealed some massive changes across its operations in North America as it prepares for a surge in production of electric vehicles (EVs) and a big rise in logistics costs.Speaking at The Supply Chain Conference last week in Atlanta, George Grahovac (pictured), Honda of America’s new senior manager at ...
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FeatureTechnology drives massive change in the supply chain
The rise of EVs and higher customer expectations are putting pressure on inbound supply chains and forcing structural changes. Marcus Williams reports from The Supply Chain Conference in Atlanta
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FeatureLittle takes over as MD at Evolution Time Critical
Graham Little (pictured) has taken over as MD at emergency logistics provider Evolution Time Critical, replacing Brad Brennan, who is moving to join a newly-formed advisory board set up by Evolution’s parent company, Metro Supply Chain Group, on April 1. The Canadian third-party logistics provider acquired Evolution Time Critical back ...
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FeatureMG Motor helps BCA hit record figures
MG Motor’s decision to expand operations through the Portbury docks in Bristol, UK has helped push weekly volumes to a new high for its logistics provider BCA.For the week beginning February 11, BCA handled more than 12,250 vehicles, an 11% increase on its previous record in 2016. The company said ...
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FeatureTesla announces U-turn on showroom closures
Tesla has cancelled plans announced at the end of last month to close all its showrooms and move to an online-only sales model.Instead of pursuing its plans, which were supposed to generate savings and help it lower the price of its vehicles, it has now said it will increase the ...
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FeatureScania opens Thai factory to better serve Southeast Asia
Swedish truckmaker Scania has moved production closer to sales in Southeast Asia with the opening of a factory in Thailand to assemble truck and bus chassis from complete knockdown (CKD) kits shipped in from Europe, as well as manufacturing truck cabs locally. Last year, the company sold more than 500 ...
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FeatureTesla to close showrooms and move sales online
Tesla is closing all of its showrooms globally and moving to an online sales model in an effort to lower overheads and find cost efficiencies across the business. The carmaker hopes this will help it to deliver its Model 3 product at a lower price of $35,000 (£26,400) and therefore ...
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FeatureTrump delays tariff hike on Chinese imports
US president Donald Trump tweeted late on Sunday (February 24) that he would be delaying the planned increase in tariffs on imports from China, including automotive goods, which were scheduled to rise from 10% to 25% on Friday (March 1).Trump said there had been “substantial progress” in what were “very ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz to boost visibility via blockchain
Mercedes-Benz Cars has announced a partnership with contract management software provider Icertis to improve transparency in its supply chain and procurement via the use of blockchain technology.Blockchain technology, which creates a distributed electronic ledger, allows parties involved in the supply chain to view, share and update critical documents such as ...
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FeatureJustin Newell joins Inform as COO
German software optimisation specialist Inform has appointed Justin Newell (pictured) as chief operating officer (COO) at its division in the US – Inform Software Corporation. He moves to Inform from his role as general manager at finished vehicle transport provider, Reliable Carriers.Newell has more than 20 years’ management experience including ...
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FeatureUK's relevance to Honda in doubt after Swindon closure
The long-term impact on the UK automotive supply chain of Honda’s decision to end production at its Swindon plant will take some time to assess, but the carmaker has admitted that Honda of the UK Manufacturing’s current role as a global manufacturing hub “may no longer be viable”.Despite assurances the ...
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FeaturePSA invests in China’s used car sector
Groupe PSA has invested in Chinese company FengChe, which provides supply chain management services, designed to improve used car dealers’ business operations.The OEM's investment has not been disclosed, but is significant, according to a spokesperson for the carmaker. Nevertheless, FengChe remains the majority shareholder and its management structure is unchanged.Used ...
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FeaturePorsche builds Canadian PDC in Mississauga
Porsche is to establish its first parts distribution centre (PDC) in Canada to supply 19 Porsche service centres across the country. The 16,000 sq.m facility will be based in Mississauga, adjacent to Toronto, and will supply parts by ground and air. Operations are scheduled to begin in October.“Following an extensive ...
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FeaturePorsche warns Brexit could force prices up in the UK
Porsche has warned its customers in the UK that they could face a 10% hike in the cost of cars delivered after the Brexit deadline, as a result of the duties that may be imposed.“As one potential outcome of the Brexit negotiations, there is a possibility that a duty of ...