All articles by Christopher Ludwig – Page 32
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FeatureAre shared components the right answer?
Announcements around the Geneva Motor Show suggested that carmakers are increasing the amount of standardised components across their platforms. Although shared parts provide a thoroughly developed and cost-competitive solution for vehicle manufacturers, this trend concentrates the supply chain and can encourage OEMs to rely more on single source suppliers, risking ...
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FeatureBig opportunities ahead for Gefco
For Gefco, 2012 is turning out to be a year of significant transition. In February, parent company PSA Peugeot-Citroën announced that it was divesting (an as yet undisclosed) percentage of its ownership of the transport and logistics subsidiary in an effort to raise cash and support on-going investment in its ...
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FeatureOne vision for a global platform at UTi
UTi Worldwide is standardising its organisation to better replicate global services from one market to another. Christopher Ludwig finds the firm’s top executives believe great logistics services begin with the car industryThe power of one;Replicating services globally;The potential for regional sourcing.UTi Worldwide might not be the most recognisable name or ...
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FeatureReframing a fragmented network
GM’s Opel/Vauxhall unit is making moves to centralise its aftermarket logistics and improve efficiency at its warehouses. Simon Duval Smith caught up with Sarah Kenworthy, director of aftermarket supply chain.Vauxhall’s Chalton parts warehouse, near to the OEM’s Luton plant some 55km north of London, covers 1.2m square feet (110,00m2) of ...
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FeatureOutlining supply challenges at Audi
Audi continues to grow in both its home market as well globally in India, China and North America, where it is expected to announce plans for a new factory soon. The importance of logistics has never been more evident at the carmaker in supporting growth both from production bases in ...
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An alternative to NYC’s bridge & tunnel imports
Starting in 2012, carmakers and ro-ro lines will have a direct link to vehicle distribution on the east side of the Hudson river for the first time. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), in the Sunset Park industrial area of Brooklyn, will offer processing and technical services, managed by Axis ...
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Breaking up is hard to do
With some worst-case scenarios moving frighteningly closer to reality in the eurozone, Europe may already be in recession. GDP growth was anaemic (but still up) in the third quarter in France, Germany and the UK, but forecasts have been cut further. The installation of ‘technocratic’ governments in Italy and Greece ...
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FeatureCrazy for perfection
On the surface cover, a global standardDigging around the roots of damageThe damapre meeting and kaizen katsudoA lower rate of damageThe effects of climate changeNeed something else besides perfectionThe Japanese have high expectations for product perfection from fruit to cars, which is one reason why its OEMs have some of ...
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FeatureDriving through the danger zone
Exports and assets help Spanish carriers survive A deep imbalance A resilient CATGetting Europe in harmonyNot easy to be longer or higherA peculiarly British problemSeventhEighthChris Lewis investigates how European road providers are surviving in the face of another potential recession and an investment shortage. Additional reporting by Christopher Ludwig on ...
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FeaturePartners in search of partnership
Shared tenders means shared providers Combining the port network Lowering inventory with lead times Outbound has not caught up with inbound Is the best yet to come for rail? Close and fair relationships Renault Nissan has converged more of the outbound logistics planning and operations for the two brands across ...
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FeatureAn almost endless potential
With BMW’s production at full speed, logistics has become critical in maintaining record profits. But Dr Karl May, head of logistics, tells Christopher Ludwig that there have been service failures and he’s looking for reliable partners to share BMW’s considerable growth.The sound of opportunity speeding through;The necessary preassure of logistics;The ...
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In Profile: David Panjwani at John Deere
David Panjwani is passionate about how logistics should be handled for high-and-heavy brands like John Deere.Unlike shipping consumer goods or raw materials, Panjwani refuses to see this sector as a commodity. Not only is the equipment and material specialised, but so too must be the providers.That’s one reason he has ...
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The next generation of RFID
Launched in November, Zebra Technologies’ third generation real-time location system, WhereLAN III, significantly boosts the technology’s appeal to the automotive supply chain.It improves on previous generations in three important regards–each of which has relevance in automotive applications, including the finished vehicle supply chain, inbound logistics and assembly plant operations.First, noted ...
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FeatureEuropean aftershocks in Asia
Uncertainty in the eurozone and the economic outlook in the US are having an impact even on fast-growing Asian markets like China, proving again that the world has not ‘de-coupled’ into isolated markets that perform regardless of the global market (as if logistics specialists needed to be reminded). But while ...
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FeatureAnother BRIC builds a wall
Trade barriers are going up again. Christopher Ludwig writes that carmakers and logistics providers will have to adapt to avoid sinking outside the border.The narrative of globalisation tells of nations steadily dismantling national barriers for a free exchange of goods and services. But in today’s souring political and economic climate, ...
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FeatureThe struggle for survival in Spain
Adapting to changeReflecting the marketHarbouring plans for the futureA massive drop in imports and subsequent over-reliance on the export market has left the Spanish vehicle logistics sector in a critical state. Barry Cross looks at how manufacturers and providers are working to ensure a healthy prognosis for the industry.The Spanish ...
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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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FeatureGetting China on the right track
Specialised rail wagonsPriority conflictsWeighing up the costsThe damage questionRail versus road in the China contextChanging paceGuarded optimismWith finished vehicles way down the list of priorities for Chinese railways compared to passengers and with the cost of road haulage low, Ellen Hua examines the long-term prospects for increasing rail for vehicle ...
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FeatureEnsuring a bon voyage for global parts
PSA Peugeot-Citroën’s evolution from a European carmaker to one which sells and builds vehicles in global markets has been under way for some years. But as the pace accelerates and its supply chain becomes more complex–with more shared platforms and increasing parts exchange–so too has the need arisen for a ...
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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, ...