All Feature articles – Page 298
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FeatureSuppliers get serious about logistics
Hit hard in the tough times, but expected to respond rapidly when the economy improves, tier one suppliers must find logistics approaches that are fast, cheap and flexible. Jonathan Ward reports that some are now benefitting from investment in IT and process improvements.Simple, fast and cheap;Parts and processes hand in ...
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FeatureAgility required
Continental is bouncing back in China, but is aware that the country’s bureaucracy and lack of visibility present particular challenges to a supply chain that requires a flexible approach.A need to lower inventory;Complex and growing opportunities;Keeping up with logistics demand;The Japan crisis;Sticking to current contracts.The story of Continental in Asia ...
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FeatureGroup dynamics at VW
As the head of VW Group Logistics, Thomas Zernechel is keeping logistics innovation at the forefront of the carmaker’s global expansion, particularly with the rollout of its ‘new logistics concept’.Capacity planning down the tiers;Moving towards crossdocks;Letting the train take the strain;Rolling out hubs for outbound;The role of C02 reduction;A return ...
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FeatureThe business case for premium freight in the routine supply chain.
For many years, the automotive industry has set the standard in lean supply chains. The motivator for this level of efficiency is necessity; automotive manufacturers are in a challenging position, producing a highly advanced product at a low cost considering the technology content. Car prices have not increased in real ...
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FeatureGeodis going further and deeper in automotive
Geodis Wilson is emerging as a major player on the global automotive logistics stage. Part of the Geodis Group, 100% owned by the French railways, SNCF, the company is expanding rapidly on every continent for automotive, from expansion of its airfreight facility in Atlanta to being a full 3PL to ...
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FeatureAfter the disaster in Japan
The tsunami and earthquake in Japan have produced soul-searching about how the industry should react. But there will not be a knee-jerk reaction, and well-established practices will not be thrown into reverseKey industries positions questioned;Minimising impact of disasters.Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March put a significant proportion of the ...
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FeatureChina's aftermarket is waiting for the ripple
The aftermarket in China is lagging behind the manufacture of and demand for cars but there are encouraging signs that consolidation and specialisation of services is on the rise.An overview of China's aftermarket;Early days;The aftermarket versus the auto market;Packaging in the aftermarket;The dealership challenge;Warranty and cost;How excited should companies get?.By ...
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FeatureMaking the warehouse visible
The key to an efficient automotive operation is a successful warehouse system but it needs to be integrated and transparent to reach its optimum efficiency.Consolidating different systems;Supporting cross-docking;Range of picking systems;Barcode scanning;Costs of investment.Ever since the first Model T rolled off Ford’s production line, manufacturing processes were seen as key ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Cat Logistics expands US distribution with Spokane centreCaterpillar Logistics Services will begin construction this summer on a new US parts distribution centre in Spokane, Washington, which is expected to be completed next year and will replace the company’s existing 11,600m2 facility. The new facility is part of the Caterpillar subsidiary’s ...
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FeatureExecutives on the move
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has announced two appointments to its global executive management team. Christopher J. Connor has been named chief commercial officer for the company’s global organization and will assume the CCO role while continuing as deputy CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS. Connor will work closely with Oslo-based ...
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FeaturePSA makes first exports from China JV
PSA Peugeot-Citroën’s joint venture with Dongfeng Motor has shipped its first exports from China with the movement of Peugeot 408 models to Egypt. The move follows and agreement signed in September 2010 between the two companies establishing rights for PSA to use China produced vehicles for export to overseas markets. ...
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FeatureCar carriers unfazed by Greek strikes
Dockworkers at Greece’s main ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus have joined air traffic controllers, rail workers, hauliers and seafarers in a 48-hour general strike this week. The protest, against the government’s handling of the economic crisis affecting the country, is the fourth strike to have hit the country this year ...
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FeatureCalifornia extends clean-fuel zone
California is to extend the reach of its 24-nautical mile clean-fuel shipping zone to include offshore islands following complaints from the US Navy that more than half the cargo vessels serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach having been using the Point Mugu Sea Range-a restricted area off ...
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FeatureToyota begins Avensis exports from UK
Toyota will export the Avensis from its UK manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire to Japan from July this year. The vehicles, which will be carried to the port of Southampton by STVA will be loaded onto NYK vessels for shipment to Nagoya in Japan at a rate of 750 per ...
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FeatureToyota reveals Russia import plans
Toyota is revamping its import strategy for finished vehicles into the Russian market, including plans to scrap use of offshore ports in Finland and elsewhere in Europe, explore the use of new entry points in the Black Sea and the Far East, as well as increase onward rail distribution in ...
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FeatureGlobal round up
Myla Motors will start production in Russia with lean logistics strategyThe Russian market will see the introduction of an entirely new car brand at the end of this year from a new plant opening in Tartarstan. Myla Motors, founded in 2005 by John Mylonas (pictured), a former General Motors executive, ...
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FeatureIndustry mourns passing of 'a true gentleman'
It was with great sadness that Automotive Logistics learned of the death last weekend of Heinrich-Wilhelm Averwerser, managing director at BLG Automobile Logistics. Mr Averwerser was 39 and passed away after a short but very serious illness. “We are missing a competent and engaged, as well as an always-reliable and ...
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FeatureFaster recovery forecast at Renesas
The world’s biggest producer of micro-controllers, Renesas Electronics, which was hit by the Japanese earthquake in March, has said it will restore full output by the end of September, a month prior to its previous estimate. The announcement is welcome news for Japanese automakers and the wider automotive industry, which ...
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FeatureDebate on distribution to resume in Paris
Is vehicle distribution a commodity–albeit a quality commodity–to be bought on price? Or is the outbound supply chain a key contributor to customer satisfaction, which creates brand loyalty among car consumers? Speakers including Toyota Europe’s Levent Yuksel, Fiat’s Paola Petrone and Daimler’s Egon Christ will address this key strategic issue ...
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FeatureNYK and Yusen grow business in China, UK
NYK has established a new subsidiary to strengthen its finished vehicle logistics business in China where new car sales exceeded 18m units last year. NYK Automotive Logistics China (NALC) will maximize the use of NYK’s existing service network for vehicle distribution throughout the country and will centralise customer service desks. ...