All Feature articles – Page 303
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FeatureTMS takes hold
Considering how long TMS has been around for, there has been poor uptake in automotive. But that is changing, and now it is being applied to both in- and outbound movements with obvious successTMS uptake is rareCutthroat conditions nurture TMS uptakeThe business case for inboundThe real benefit of TMSQuality or ...
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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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FeatureBalancing act for high and heavy
Construction back on track?Are the LSPs ready?Coping with growthFreight rates climbProductions shifts to follow salesEnvironment legislation kicks inThe high and heavy industry is recovering, but the growth is now in emerging economies and the logistics sector needs to invest or shift capacity to service the demanding new markets, writes Andrew ...
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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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FeatureEC reveals roadmap for transport
The European Commission (EC) published its anticipated 2011 White Paper on transport this week, which outlines the European Union’s passenger and freight transport policy direction and objectives over the coming decades. As anticipated in draft reports, the paper sets a headline target of a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions ...
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FeatureCritical parts shortage continues
Parts shortages are continuing to hit carmakers around the globe this week as a consequence of earthquake damage and energy shortages to Japanese supplier plants. Toyota and Honda are extending production shutdowns at assembly plants in Japan. Toyota has lost output of around 140,000 vehicles, having suspended operations at all ...
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FeatureCarmakers welcome Med Corridor plan
Following the opening of a new freight rail link between Perpignan in southern France and the port of Barcelona in Spain last December (read more here), the Spanish government has announced it is pressing ahead with plans for a 1,300km freight rail link along its Mediterranean coast. As part of ...
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FeatureGlobal news in brief
Toyota delivers 3m cars through ZeebruggeToyota has moved its 3 millionth vehicle through its vehicle logistics centre (VLC) in Zeebrugge, Belgium, which it runs with logistics partner Sintax. The white Toyota Auris Full Hybrid is being delivered to the Belgian market. The Zeebrugge VLC started operations in January 2001 with ...
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FeatureGM awards LSPs in Detroit
Twelve logistics companies have been recognised in General Motors’ Supplier of the Year awards for 2010, held recently at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. The award, now in its 19th year, recognises the significant contributions of GM’s suppliers in 2010 as part of the company’s global product and ...
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FeatureKia makes 10m milestone
Kia has exported its 10 millionth vehicle from South Korea with the shipment of an Optima sedan from Pyeontaek port to the US. The milestone vehicle was carried to the US by Eukor Car Carriers as part of a shipment of 6,000 vehicles due to make a further call in ...
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FeatureSupply shortages hit global plant output
The full consequences of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that hit the country just under a fortnight ago are becoming clear as manufacturers and suppliers there extend production shutdowns while some plants overseas slow down output or even halt production. There is also now a sizeable backlog of freight at ...
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FeaturePKP moves into Germany with Mosolf
Polish rail transport provider PKP Cargo has launched a new service on behalf of German finished vehicle provider Mosolf bringing Fiat vehicles from the carmaker’s production site in Tychy, Poland, cross-border to the logistics hub at Elstal/Wustermark (near Berlin) in Germany. The service will move around 300 vehicles on six ...
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FeatureDaimler lowers inventory, raises output
Daimler has implemented a ‘synchronous plant’ system at its Mannheim plant for production of the new Mercedes-Benz OM 47x truck engine family that will require only 50% of the inventory levels maintained for earlier model series. The system has also dramatically reduced production and dispatch times from the facility. Preliminary ...
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FeatureGlobal news in brief
Norbert Dentressangle closes on TDG takeoverNorbert Dentressangle’s €223m takeover of logistics provider TDG is due to be complete on 28 March following its announcement last November. Following the buyout of shares from TDG’s holding company Laxey Logistics, 53% of Norbert’s business will be in road transport with €1.95 billion in ...