All europe articles – Page 15
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ECG column: Digital dreams versus realities
In his final editorial as ECG president, Costantino Baldissara (pictured with vice-president Wolfgang Göbel, far left) says the industry needs to fully adopt basic technology such as ePOD before championing a fully digital futureLeaving aside the capacity issues that many of you in Europe (and elsewhere) are dealing with in ...
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FeatureMahle Behr: Experiencing a Thermal change
Mahle Behr’s takeover of Delphi Thermal Systems in 2015 sparked a process of systems integration, freight consolidation and supply chain redesign that is set to last a further three years.Last year was a record one for global acquisition and mergers within the automotive supply chain. Consulting firm PwC estimated the ...
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FeatureNobuaki Fujii takes up new role at Toyota Europe
As part of a number of executive appointments at its European headquarters taking place in April, Toyota Motor Europe has announced that Nobuaki Fujii has been appointed vice-president of strategic production planning and production control and logistics. He replaces Eiji Takeichi, who was appointed president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland ...
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FeatureRussian carmakers decry Kazakhstan’s customs policy
Russian carmakers say they have been dramatically hit by the utilisation and registration fee on vehicle imports introduced by neighbouring Kazakhstan at the beginning of this year. Alexander Morozov, Russia's deputy minister of industry and tradeThe registration fee for new cars varies between $300-400 per unit, while the utilisation fee, ...
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FeatureEuropean ports survey: Rising volume and risky conditions
Our 2015 survey finds that, with imports in particular on the rise, some ports have experienced capacity issues despite investments in connectivity, capacity and information technology. Meanwhile, others are suffering as a result of geopolitical and broader economic instability. Contribution by Christopher LudwigAcross the European continent last year, from Scandinavia ...
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FeatureUK-EU: Better connected
In the puzzle of EU membership, Britain and its supply chain would both lose out heavily by leaving the gameBritain’s referendum on EU membership this June has divided the country. Opinion polls suggest a close contest, with splits across the population straight up to the governing Conservative party.At first glance, ...
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FeatureFord part 3: Supply chain upgrades
Ford is rolling out advanced global inventory and demand management tools in pursuit of greater efficiency in logistics and service
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Feature
Ford part 2: Global strategies
Ford intends to support dealers through its Professional Service Network, a proliferation of Quick Lane stores and extended parts retention.
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FeatureFord part 1: Always looking ahead
In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service
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FeatureFCA: Making hay while the sun shines
After six years basking in the glow of rising US sales, and now enjoying low fuel prices, Fiat Chrysler needs to improve productivity today before things change again, says Marc Brazeau, head of outbound and Mexico logistics in North AmericaA team on a long winning streak can build momentum that ...
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FeatureBinding ambition at Toyota Manufacturing UK
TMUK is developing its logistics efficiency even more closely in line with the Toyota Production System and proving it can manage complex supply chain changes, writes Ian HenryThe UK is an important manufacturing hub for Toyota within its European operations, and a prime example of how carmakers have tightly integrated ...
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FeatureBMW tests autonomous vehicles in factories to move parts
BMW Group is testing a number of autonomous vehicles on its factory floors as part of an automation drive that is expected to help cut costs by 5% per vehicle annually.The project began this month at BMW’s logistics centre in Wackersdorf, Germany, where the suitcase-sized trolleys are being used to ...
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FeatureGefco supports BMW with Silk Road rail shipments
BMW is working with transport and logistics provider Gefco on trial shipments of vehicles in containers between Europe and China.Gefco has recently completed a second trail shipment involving 40 BMW 1-series cars that were transported between Regensburg in Germany and Chengdu in China. It followed a pilot trial carried out ...
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Feature
Brussels attacks raise further questions over Schengen zone
Cargo transport and freight operations started to resume today (March 23rd) following the terrorist attacks at Brussels Zaventem airport and on the city’s metro line on Tuesday – including the restart of production at Audi’s factory near the city (pictured).With heightened security across European airports, rail stations and a number ...
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FeatureDeutsche Bahn poised to sell off stake in Schenker logistics unit
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is considering selling off a stake in Schenker, its logistics division, in 2018, alongside the part privatisation of Arriva, the UK public transport provider, which DB took over in 2010.A spokesperson for DB Schenker would only confirm that the company’s executive board was in “close and constructive ...
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FeatureFord confirms plans for EcoSport assembly in Romania
Following speculation last month that Ford could bring production of its EcoSport SUV to the Craiova plant in Romania, the carmaker has now confirmed that it is investing up to €200m ($223m) to do just that, along with its component tooling suppliers.It plans to begin assembly at the plant (pictured) ...
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FeatureEurope conference panel discussion: A time for optimism
Finally, the outlook in Europe is positive once again. Of course, the market is fragile and subject to risk, but on the path to recovery. Last year, most European countries saw strong growth, with many in the double digits, and the European Union had stronger growth than almost all other ...
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FeatureEurope conference: how to manage more with less in plants
Axel Van Het Kaar, FordComplex, varied and flexible inbound supply chains increasingly require sophisticated handling and line-feeding processes in plants. In Europe, where carmakers often face space constraints, particularly at older plants in western Europe, there has been more of a focus on developing in-plant strategies that can help ...
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FeatureBMW hits 2m export milestone at port of Charleston
BMW exported its two millionth vehicle through the US port of Charleston last week. The BMW X5 was loaded at the port’s Columbus Street Terminal for export to Germany on board the WWL-operated vessel, Elektra.The carmaker has been exporting vehicles from the port in cooperation with South Carolina Ports Authority ...
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FeatureEkol Logistics expansion gathers pace in Bulgaria
Turkey’s Ekol Logistics has opened a facility in Bulgaria as it expands activity across Europe. It is the 12th country the transport and logistics provider now provides services in – services a spokesperson has confirmed will extend to the automotive industry.The company said a 1,000 sq.m cross-dock warehouse, located close ...