All Feature articles – Page 216
-
FeatureRight at the heart of it all
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.Part three of our Automotive Logistics special report on Mexico: the rise of ‘global’ products means the country ...
-
FeatureDown Mexico way...and back again
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.In the second part of this special Mexico report, we explore how huge amounts of automotive material crossing ...
-
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 ...
-
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 ...
-
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 ...
-
FeatureCarry on car carrying
As UK car volume expands, led by exports of premium vehicles, carmakers are looking for more logistics capacity. Zoë Apostolides and Marcus Williams reportBritish new vehicle sales achieved their longest-ever growth spree this summer, with year-on-year sales having increased every month since March 2012. This surge, along with rising export ...
-
FeatureKeep coming up with the goods in the UK
Vehicle production in the UK is healthy, but requires agile logistics for its global and local supply chains and these can only evolve with investment in skills training and IT.Christopher Ludwig contributed to this reportFollowing the hard economic knocks felt throughout Europe since 2008, the UK has certainly surprised many ...
-
FeatureRacking up the savings
The use of specialised metal racks is a common, albeit costly practice, but engineers are making them lighter and more modularAlthough automotive packaging continues to become more standardised on a global basis – especially plastic pallets, containers and totes – non-standard or specialised packaging is still an essential element in ...
-
FeatureMoving towards integration in Southeast Asia
Potential customs harmonisation among the ten ASEAN nations could see Thailand at the centre of a global automotive powerhouse, with big implications for logisticsThailand continues to hold much promise for the automotive industry. Home to many of the world’s largest carmakers and tier suppliers, it should also receive a boost ...
-
FeatureRealities of a risky business
OEMs would love to reduce their insurance premiums, but with catastrophic damage more frequent, they may have to risk their balance sheets to achieve thisWhen Superstorm Sandy made landfall on the eastern seaboard of the US in October 2012, hurricane-force high winds were just one problem. Another was the enormous ...
-
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 ...
-
FeatureCTM and Lohr offer efficiencies for the backhaul
Constrained by low rates and a need for investment, road haulers are looking for greater efficiencies from their fleets in Russia. One area for savings that still appears to be staring the industry in the face is empty backhauls, according to Bill Pawluk, CEO of Convertible Trailer Manufacturing Worldwide (CTM).Speaking ...
-
FeatureRo-ro providers dealing with fragmented trade flows
Ocean carriers providing services for vehicle import and export to Russia have a lot more to think about in the current climate. Global trade routes continue to fragment, there is a growth in intra-regional supply and vessel sizes are increasing as the industry seeks greater efficiencies by moving larger volumes. ...
-
FeatureMack upgrades Macungie material handling and sub-assembly
Mack Trucks is investing $26m to upgrade its Macungie Cab & Vehicle Assembly facility in Pennsylvania including an overhaul of its sub-assembly and material handling processes to make the delivery of trucks to customers more efficient.The truckmaker, which his part of the Volvo Group, will also be installing new equipment ...
-
FeatureУкраина предупреждает МMO o вопросах безопасности в Крыму
Министерство инфраструктуры Украины объявило, что далее не может контролировать порты Крымского полуострова, и что ситуация связана с высоким риском, поэтому Министерство в настоящее время пытается закрыть компании, занимавшиеся управлением деятельностью в портах.Правительство Украины сообщило об этом Международной Морской организации (IMO) в мае. В письме, направленном Посольством Украины в Лондоне, Великобритания, ...
-
FeatureDeadlock in the Russian vehicle transport sector
The current stagnation in the Russian car market and the consequent drop in rates has led to more finished vehicle transport companies going out of business than in 2009 when the global economic downturn hit. The result is a loss of capacity, an instability in lead times for the carmakers ...
-
FeatureFord works with rail providers for Transit shipments
Ford has developed a rail car with some of North America’s leading rail providers for delivery of its new full-size Transit van in region. The rail cars have an elevated lower deck able to accommodate the van, which measures almost 2.8m in height and is therefore too tall to fit ...
-
FeatureMFTBC to export truck range from India
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has launched a new range of five light-medium and medium-heavy trucks for the Asian and African markets from its production facility in India. The FA/FI and FJ trucks, which are already sold in the Bangladesh republic, will be exported and sold through MFTBC’s ...
-
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 ...
-
FeatureIndia looks at short sea for domestic car movements
India's Shipping Ministry has revealed that it is preparing a feasibility study into the movement of locally built finished vehicles by sea for sale in the domestic market. The move would entail linking the ports near to Chennai, in the southeast of the country with those around Gujurat, including the ...