All articles by Christopher Ludwig – Page 24
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FeatureSpecial report: Many shades of Mexico
Logistics is part of what has helped carmakers succeed in Mexico’s historically difficult economy, but will it be an advantage or pitfall in future?Reporting from south of the borderThis special multi-part report, by editor Christopher Ludwig, explores Mexico’s historic and developing supply chain as well as the logistics challenges connected ...
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FeatureWarehouse excellence at Robert Bosch
Extensive research and testing of lean principles have elevated tier one supplier Robert Bosch’s warehousing practices alongside the highest OEM plant standards. The supplier is trying to replicate these lean standards globallyFew terms are used as ubiquitously throughout automotive production as ‘lean management’, a concept of continuous improvement and manufacturing ...
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FeatureCase study: Bosch Diesel in China goes lean
The Warehouse Excellence model is applied in China to ensure Bosch’s supply chain is fast and flexible enough to meet a very different type of demand to that in Europe. A compelling case for the potential of improving warehouse performance with lean management can be found at Bosch Automotive Diesel ...
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FeatureRussia at a standstill
The market continues to fall, while transport capacity is exiting the market at an alarming rate. Even with prospects for long-term growth, the lack of investment could mean Russia will struggle to move the goods again when customers return to show rooms. We report from the Automotive Logistics Russia conference ...
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FeatureRussia moves toward flexibility in customs regime
The Russian Federation has been experimenting with a more light-touch customs clearance procedure for certain importers, including a number of carmakers and tier suppliers. The benefits of this status include a significant shift to ‘post control’ customs clearance, which means that manufacturers could import material directly to factories and defer ...
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FeatureDawn of a new era
With production set to start this year, JLR and Chery’s joint venture has learned vital lessons from its parent companies and is preparing to go out and navigate the supply chain on its own terms.It is an exciting time for the logistics team at Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR), the ...
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FeatureThirsty for pressure
Gefco’s chief executive, Luc Nadal (pictured), has ambitious plans for global expansion under Russian Railways ownership. But as an avid seaman, he knows it won’t always be smooth sailing.Few logistics providers have seen as much change as the Gefco Group in just two years. The major trigger was PSA Peugeot ...
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FeatureAsian ambitions
Gefco was not first to the door in China or south-east Asia, but its regional management believes that it still has great potential to expand.Today, China and Asia barely make up 3% of Gefco’s global turnover, about par with operations in Italy and around ten times smaller than business in ...
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FeatureBMW and Mercedes part ways at Baltimore
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) and BMW North America will end a cooperation agreement whereby Mercedes-Benz has processed BMW imports at its terminal at the port of Baltimore, Maryland. The operations will terminate at the end of May, from which point Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) will take over processing activities for BMW. ...
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FeatureWhat’s keeping US outbound executives awake in the middle of the night?
A severe disruption to rail capacity this year has left thousands of vehicles stranded in North America, leading some carmakers to look more carefully at their road and short-sea shipping options. Executives discussed their long-term plans at this year’s conference in California.The prospect of modal shifts for finished vehicle distribution ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz to move terminals in Los Angeles
Mercedes-Benz will see some big changes to its US port processing and accessory installation operations, as the carmaker is set to change locations in the Los Angeles area. Speaking at the 2014 FVL North America Conference in North America, Rory Anne Hepner, general manager of vehicle distribution and logistics at ...
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FeatureToyota move will unite supply chain management in Texas
Toyota’s decision to build a new headquarters in Texas for its North American corporate functions will bring together for the first time much of the region’s top management for inbound, outbound and spare parts logistics. Toyota’s chief executive and logistics managers expect that this proximity will allow for better collaboration ...
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Feature‘End of an era’ as Steve Harley retires from Ford
A renowned executive across the carmaker and the industry for more than four decades, Stephen Harley is moving on. He talks to Automotive Logistics about what has changed in logistics as well as his last project at Ford Europe. [This story was updated on 12 May 2014] Stephen Harley (left) ...
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FeatureChina’s new growth comes with old stories
Speakers at this year's conference in Beijing revealed that manufacturers and logistics providers are well on their way to further growth in China, but many are still struggling to shift towards higher-value services, as well as fix familiar problems. Additional reporting by Marcus WilliamsFull-length videos of the main sessions are ...
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FeatureChina may matter less as a low-cost country sourcing location
Rising labour, material and transport costs have all contributed to limit China’s role as a low-cost country sourcing location for automotive manufacturers, although the market’s growth has encouraged more local sourcing for vehicle production across the country, according to speakers at the Automotive Logistics China conference in Beijing. Costs in ...
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FeatureBig rail reforms could have little impact for automotive
China is planning major investments in its freight rail network, including expanding the track network, locomotive capacity and international links. Reforms to the bureaucracy that controls the railways are also expected to improve overall service levels, although the impact for the movement of automotive goods by rail may be limited. ...
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FeatureGefco to build up intra-Asia network for China auto trade
Logistics provider Gefco plans aggressive growth for its Chinese and Asian business, including investing in its own fleet for vehicle distribution in China. The company also expects to increase the amount of automotive freight, including finished vehicles and materials, it moves between China, Russia as well as Southeast Asia, where ...
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FeatureNissan makes logistics promotions in North America
Nissan has announced a number of executive changes for its Americas regions with effect April 1st, including several promotions for supply chain management and logistics. Mark Sharp, currently director of supply chain management at Nissan North America, has been promoted to a new position as senior director of Alliance New ...
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FeatureMagna’s European head of freight procurement to depart
Brendan Lenane will leave his position as head of procurement for freight and logistics services at Magna Logistics Europe (MLE) on April 30th. According to Magna International Europe, Lenane will leave to pursue interests outside of Magna. An announcement of his replacement is expected in the coming weeks. In an ...
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FeatureEditor's note: innovation to last 30 years
I often hear complaints about a lack of innovation in vehicle logistics. Carmakers accuse carriers of failing to update equipment and systems to fit the modern age. Logistics providers cry equally foul, citing rate squeezes that leave most unable to invest let alone innovate.I’ve never waded deep into this argument, ...