All articles by Christopher Ludwig – Page 34
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FeatureGlovis America: the next generation
Expansion plans for the US Assets to have and to have notThe Hyundai and Kia networkConsolidating ports will continueBetter planning for port processingGlovis America is not simply an offshoot of the Korean giant Hyundai; it is a lean logistics company ready to work across the automotive sector, from vehicle processing ...
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FeatureGrowing deeper roots
Different strategies, similar networksLow volumes encourage good supplier relationsThe capacity situationScheduling around capacity shortagesTransplant brands in the US are facing pressure from currency fluctuations and resurgent domestic OEMs, putting more pressure on the bottom line, including maintaining lower inventories and meeting stricter delivery times, writes Christopher Ludwig.The strength of import ...
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FeatureTurning the tide at Toyota
Doing it in-houseThe US distribution networkImproving ETA accuracyKeeping an eye on capacityFuture projectsTurning to growth againChristopher Ludwig meets Nancy Davies and discovers someobe unfazed by the challenges the last few years have thrown at Toyota’s finished vehicle distribution in the US, and who has big plans for streamlining the company’s ...
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Rising Subaru adjusts US network
Subaru of America is making important investments and additions to its US port and rail network following its recent growth. Subaru has been the most resilient carmaker throughout the downturn in the US, growing 15% in 2009 and 22% in 2010. The Japanese carmaker registered another 20% in growth year-on-year ...
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Protective films and covers to the fore
Vehicles in transport will always face a small but significant chance of damage that can have a large impact on costs, whether related to weather or vehicle handling issues, rust from rail transport or vandalism.While the LSPs pay for handling-related damage, it is the carmakers who pay the ultimate costs ...
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Fuelling more provider failures?
The past quarter has seen a spike in oil prices following the Middle East protests, with the Brent Crude index surpassing $100 a barrel in late January and hovering above $110–that is about 20% higher than it was on January 1st and more than 40% higher than six months ago. ...
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FeatureLogistics in the (i)fast lane
Paola Petrone is revolutionising Fiat’s supply chain management with state of the art IT and the development of an in-house freight forwarder to pull together flows across the group to improve efficiency and reduce emissionsPaola Petrone was appointed senior vice president of Supply Chain Management at Fiat Group Automobiles less ...
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FeatureIn Profile: PSA's Guy Lederer
PSA’s Guy Lederer is responsible for linking the carmaker’s parts supply chain from one continent to another, including engineering for packaging, material flow and global platforms, as well as focus on parts ordering and forecasting. Lederer manages a team of about 100 employees that are at the forefront of PSA’s ...
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FeatureEuropean ports emerge from the darkness
The world’s largest carportsEmden close to all-time highRelative strength in the UKScandinavian recovery and privatisationPort reforms at Piraeus and Le HavreQuality in the NetherlandsBaltic prospectsAfter devastating drops in 2009, European ports saw recovery for vehicle volumes in 2010, although most are still far from their peaks. Chris Lewis investigates current ...
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FeatureThe export engine on the peninsula
As South Korean carmakers watch their sales rise across the globe their logistics providers have been adjusting strategy to keep pace. Marcus Williams reports on the diversification and investment being made to meet demand for faster shipping and greater capacity. Additional reporting by Christopher LudwigCapacity advantagesSpeed of deliveryTwo-basket approachTransit time ...
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FeatureReady for the rush?
It’s time to ship directFinland will lose outToyota supports revised customs rulesMaking better use of spaceRail remains an expensive optionWill large-sale imports continue?Tran Siberian debate continuesChris Lewis takes another look at the finished vehicle imports going though ports into Russia, and discovers that business is seriously picking up, and that ...
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FeatureDaimler grows amid a divided Europe
A growing gap among logistics providersThe great capacity debate resumesA time of tender opportunityGrowth at seaGetting back to greenDaimler’s 11th annual European Carrier Day came at a time when the carmaker is accelerating globally in sales and logistics development, and often well ahead of its many vehicle logistics providers in ...
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FeatureFord of Europe’s brave new world
The sales climate might be decidedly mixed in Europe, but Ford is pushing through with big changes and improvements in its logistics networks, from substantially more intermodal transport to time-critical vehicle logistics. Christopher Ludwig catches up with Ford’s Matthias SchulzA marriage of sacred vowsIncreasing rail and short seaPassion projectsUnderstanding the ...
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FeatureGeely reaches out for help in a global future
Revising expectationsBackground and careerExporting cars and kitsBuilding better relationships at seaShipping contractsStreamlining managementGeely’s global exports and presence had been small outside China before the Volvo purchase, but it has plans to grow significantly in emerging markets around the world. Namrita Chow caught up with the woman in charge of international ...
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FeatureThe business case for container pooling
There is an old Chinese proverb which states “To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous”. And how uncomfortable times have been for many players in the automotive industry over the past few years with fluctuating production demands, increasingly global supply chains, and ...
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FeatureIn Profile: Yves Caracatzanis of Renault
While Yves Caracatzanis has had roles across the manufacturing process at Renault, logistics is at the bookends of his career to this point. He started with the carmaker in 1992 as project leader in logistics, before spending more than a decade in various manufacturing roles in plant, as well as ...
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Perfecting the Pallet
A committe of the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has created a standard for disposable and reusable packaging, which it hopes will be adopted internationally. The goal is for sizes to fit all modes, while aiming for the highest efficiency for sea containers.According to Paul Phelps, committee co-chair and a ...
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Consumers drive logistics
The gap between success and failure in the automotive logistics market is widening, with the difference often lying in serving emerging consumersAlthough the outlook for automotive logistics is mixed (awful in some markets) there are simultaneously a host of improving financials from some logistics providers. Meanwhile, global car sales and ...
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FeatureChinese supply grows up
Strikes and walk-outs by workers demanding better pay may be a bellweather for the future, but it is not denting the major suppliers’ commitment to investing in ChinaChoosing a service provider: local vs globalDealing with damageKeeping up with the codesCurrency valuation affects costsThere have been strikes and standoffs at plants ...
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FeatureAsean alliance boosts car industry
Namrita Chow discovers that the Asean states are investing in the car business to the benefit of local and international OEMs. However, the logistics support structure is still fragmented and outdated, and they are competing with the manufacturing expert - ChinaFavourable tariffsAsean versus China as production base?New vehicle port links ...