All articles by Christopher Ludwig – Page 10
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FeatureA program of change for Volkswagen Group IT
Over the past two years, Volkswagen’s central Group IT division, led by CIO Martin Hofmann, has been expanding staff numbers, investment and digital projects across the group’s business processes, and working more closely with brands like Audi, Porsche and Skoda. In the first of a multi-part article special on Group IT, we explain the evolving shape of the organisation.
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FeatureAt the centre of change for Volkswagen Group
Martin Hofmann, chief information office of the Volkswagen Group (pictured, right), explains how the carmaker is transforming its IT system backbone and legacy infrastructure across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain and engineering – and how Volkswagen is now able to attract top software talent.
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FeatureBuilding Volkswagen’s Industrial Cloud
Volkswagen Group’s landmark project with Amazon Web Services will help to connect all its global factories, and eventually the supply chain as well. At the core of the project is a drive to establish a standard software stack that will transform the way production IT is developed and implemented across Volkswagen locations.
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NewsGroupe PSA and FCA merger has precedent for supply chain impact
Discussions that seem to be moving quickly between Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) on a possible merger have raised questions about how supply chain and logistics at the respective carmakers would be affected, including on consolidated vehicle platforms and suppliers, costs, as well as on major logistics providers, notably Gefco.
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FeatureFCA–PSA fusion: first of the electric shock waves?
The merger attempt by FCA and PSA will be complicated but makes economic and operational sense, including for supply chain management and logistics. Whether or not it goes ahead, more consolidation is likely as the automotive industry gears up for electrification
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FeatureGlobal trade disputes could dim electric vehicle supply chain potential in key markets
Trade uncertainties such as those between the US and China, or the UK and the EU, could put the brakes on growth in the electric vehicle and battery supply chain for some OEMs and countries, despite bullish forecasts for alternative powertrains
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FeatureIndustry suffers blow with loss of Michael Druml, head of Magna Europe supply chain and purchasing
Michael Druml, an influential supply chain management executive who played a major role in the logistics, supply chain and purchasing operations for divisions of Daimler and later Magna, died suddenly this week. He was 60 years old.
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NewsChina offers opportunities and risk for European carmakers
Mike Yang, vice-president, Changjiu Logistics The Chinese market has become more complicated for many global OEMs over the past two years, with impacts for how logistics and exports are organised. But logistics experts are anticipating deeper manufacturing ties and trade growth between European and Chinese automotive manufacturers. ...
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NewsDeep-sea vehicle carriers sail further into troubled waters
Stagnant vehicle shipments, rising regulatory costs and sinking vessel utilisation are all affecting the ocean transport sector, according to data from Drewry Shipping Consultants. With shipping rates at relative lows, new vessel orders for pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) have stalled to a virtual ...
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NewsUsing the past to better predict the future of vehicle logistics
In finished vehicle logistics and distribution, disruptions and changes in the supply chain often lead to higher costs and bottlenecks, including stock pileups and imbalances in transport capacity. Last year’s implementation of WLTP in Europe was a case in point, as some OEMs faced delays in getting vehicles certified or ...
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FeatureRevealed: AL Awards Europe winners 2019
The Automotive Logistics Europe Awards, now in their second year, were presented at the Kesselhaus at Motorworld, as part of this year’s AL Global Munich conference
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FeatureToyota North America: Breaking down supply chain barriers
Toyota is realigning its production and service parts organisation by integrating its inbound and aftermarket supply chain departments into a new division called PDAD. Group vice-president of the new division, Alok Vaish, explains the thinking behind it
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FeatureQ&A: Iain Lindsay
What do you say to potential investors who are concerned about what Brexit may mean for trade, particularly with the flow of goods and material being so essential to the automotive industry?Brexit is an issue that is at the heart of business concerns: what will it mean in terms of ...
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FeatureAnu Goel: the highs and lows
What have been some of the high points in logistics in your career?One is the swing toward providing a level of service that customers expect, as opposed to providing a level of service that we either think they need or that the system can provide. Those are two different ...
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FeatureBrexit’s unaccustomed burdens
Nine months before the UK’s planned departure from the European Union, uncertainty over customs arrangements is emerging as one of the major concerns of manufacturers – perhaps just as much, if not more so, than the prospect of tariffs and taxes. The risks and impacts from delays in logistics flows ...
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FeatureSMMT calls for end to Brexit uncertainty
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has joined major manufacturers in calling for the British government to end uncertainty over the UK’s trading relationship with the European Union after Brexit, and to ensure the frictionless flow of parts and vehicles. Speaking at a press conference during the SMMT’s ...
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FeatureKeeping up with the pace of change
The automotive industry used to be thought of as slow moving. Until fairly recently, it was not much of a stretch to say that the motor car, for all its improvements in safety and technology, had not fundamentally changed in a century. Vintage car owners could easily point to hundreds ...
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FeatureClark seeks to reassure automotive sector on Brexit
British business minister Greg Clark (pictured) has suggested the UK government wants to avoid any new trade friction over the processing and transporting of automotive products with the European Union after Brexit, despite open disagreement among cabinet ministers over what sort of customs arrangement should be put in place. Clark, ...
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FeatureMaking sense from the noise for the future of logistics
Convergence between the automotive and high-tech sectors isn’t a theory or prediction any more. Vehicles are as connected as smartphones, programmed with millions more lines of code than any computer, and increasingly powered by the same electric components and batteries – just on a much larger scale.
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FeatureMercedes-Benz: Taking an end-to-end approach
It may have taken Mercedes-Benz around 120 years to reach 1m cars per year, breaching the mark around the turn of the 21stcentury. However, the recent surge in growth of the brand has seen it rise by around 1m units in sales and production in just five years, with passenger ...