All North America articles – Page 88
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FeatureCall for improved dialogue at US ports
Port processors and their OEM customers in the US need to work on better system integration to facilitate capacity improvements in preparation for a return of volumes. They also need to have more regular meetings to assess needs and allocate resources in a more efficient way. “The better that those ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Honda to halve vehicle exports from JapanAccording to reports in Japanese newspaper Asahi, Honda Motor has said it will halve vehicle exports from Japan over the next decade in an effort to tackle damaging currency fluctuations that have hit the company with the rise of the yen. Honda currently exports ...
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FeatureExecutives on the move
Harry Doms has left electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors where he was logistics director of EMEA and APAC to take up a new position outside the automotive industry. Roy Kimber, Tesla's senior logistics manager, has now taken over responsibility for Europe. Doms' departure follows the news earlier in the year ...
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FeatureCapacity concerns put on ice
Fears that the fourth quarter would bring a capacity crunch in the North American outbound vehicle sector have failed to materialise and the general consensus now seems to be that it will not hit any time soon, according to speakers from leading road carriers like Jack Cooper Transport and carmakers ...
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FeatureBrazil hits imports with tax hike
The Brazilian government’s decision last month to impose a 30% tax increase on vehicle imports to the country and on vehicles built from imported parts is expected to have a negative impact on overall sales and particularly on foreign imports–which have grown strongly this year–as Brazil attempts to strengthen local ...
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FeatureDealers need to know more about delivery
Dealers in North America are calling for a better understanding of the upstream delivery process from OEMs and logistics providers as they seek greater visibility on what they can expect and when in terms of vehicles and service parts. “I would ask the OEMs to come up with a one-pager ...
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FeatureRebuilding from out of the wreckage
Japan’s manufacturers and suppliers have bounced back with vigour since being devastated by the tsunami earlier this year. William Ross looks at the implications of the disaster and the strength of the yen for the automotive logistics industry.A shared experience;Lessons and challenges in the aftermath;Tough trading conditions;Foreign part production.Rows of ...
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FeatureIn Profile: Christine Kratwohl
Christine Krathwohl brings 18 years of logistics and purchasing experience to the top logistics position at GM. She spent eight-and-a-half years at Ford and Visteon before joining GM in 2002, where she has held numerous positions in North America, including as logistics business planning manager and director of inbound logistics, ...
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FeatureUS awaits bill on infrastructure spending
At the time of writing, US president Barack Obama was pushing congress to pass a new transportation bill before it was set to expire at the end of September. The bill provides funding for highway construction, bridge repair and public transport among other projects. Obama has warned that even a ...
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CSA could be a boon for some, but worries persist
Following regulations under the first phase of the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 programme, introduced last December, the US Department of Transport’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released a draft strategic plan for 2011-2016, called Raising the Safety Bar.The report outlines a framework for making trucking safety the administration’s ...
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FeatureFlexibility over austerity
Even as the financial markets ricochet up and (mostly) down the prognosis for the motor industry and its supply chain in North America and Europe looks more to be one of caution rather than outright alarm.“We are seeing the return to caution,” said Christophe Stürmer, director of OEM research for ...
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FeatureWhiplash with worry
Manufacturers and logistics providers may find themselves dizzy trying to balance demand and capacity with economic worry.Is the automotive industry in for another whirlwind ride as the global economy hits more sharp turns? The dangers remain, with high unemployment, government debt and austerity measures in Europe and the US coupled ...
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FeatureThe importance of developing e-Port
Rescheduling the pastSuccess over speedMazda’s e-Port system is revitalising compound system management. Malcolm Wheatley looks at how, from a modest investment, the manufacturer has achieved real-time visibility and boosted labour productivity with predictive scheduling.Visit one of the American ports through which Mazda imports vehicles from Japan and you’ll Vlikely see ...
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FeatureClouding communications
Low costs and minimal hardware considerations have enticed some of the industry’s biggest suppliers to conduct their business on cloud networks. Malcolm Wheatley looks at how SaaS and cloud technology are transforming financial operations and establishing themselves as collaborative tools in supply chain management.Freedom of the cloud;Overcoming conservatism;Connecting and collaborating.It ...
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FeatureKeep on road-running
Driver shortageLack of equipmentProblematic legislationMoving forwardWith US car carriers facing ongoing troubles with low margins and in obtaining financing, the prospect of an upturn in North American production and imports has led to capacity shortages. Marcia MacLeod looks at the obstacles currently facing the major players.Even before automotive production and ...
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FeatureStaying afloat on shifting seas
Shipping lines reign in capacityA more complex networkA quick recovery from earthquakeTough market for European short-seaCould emission regulation benefit road transport?From financial crises to environmental disasters, the ro-ro market has weathered an almost perfect storm in the last few years. With tougher emission rules in the offing and new-building at ...
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FeaturePackaging the future
Return to sender;Global versus local;Raising the standard;Pooling resources.China’s growth in automotive sales has led to a related increase in volume and sales of automotive packaging. Andrew Williams looks at how local and international suppliers are responding to pressure from manufacturers to provide cost efficiency, good service and product sustainability.China’s recent ...
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FeatureIn Profile: Evelyn Chiang, Tesla
Evelyn Chiang’s first taste of logistics was when she was 13, virtually penniless, and supporting her family. Today she is the vice president of supply chain and IT at EV-maker Tesla Motors.
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FeatureTreading on new ground
While focusing its North American logistics efforts on more lucrative, higher premium products, tyre manufacturer Pirelli is opting for a ‘local for local’ philosophy as it expands into emerging markets. Tony Danby looks at the company’s LSP selection criteria and its investment in new plants.Trimming costs;All-round expertise;Outsourcing;Mexican factory.Pirelli, one of ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Yusen Logistics now fully integrated in EuropeYusen Logistics has completed the European integration of its previously separate business divisions, NYK Logistics and Yusen Air & Sea Service, with the launch of its German unit this week. As part of its global integration of the two businesses, the final ...