All features articles – Page 45
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FeatureGlobal conference: relentless logistics at Ford, Honda and Chrysler
As Automotive Logistics Global came to a close in Detroit, a senior level panel of logistics executives discussed themes and thoughts from the event, and looked ahead to what challenges and innovations might be in store for the sector.Automotive Logistics' publisher and conference director Louis Yiakoumi seated left to right ...
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FeatureOut of the light and into the night
Extended delivery hours offer the benefits of less congestion and reduced dwell time, but they depend on dealer willingness, local laws and crime rates. Surprisingly, there has been a low uptake in Britain compared to parts of the USBack in 2006, a trial began within the British operations of Honda ...
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FeatureMore sparks are set to fly
Despite being on somewhat familiar ground, Russia’s political climate and the status of the Lada brand call for Bo Andersson (pictured) to tread carefully while better aligning supply and demand at Avtovaz. Roger Stansfield reportsSince leaving General Motors as its global purchasing and supply chain chief, Bo Andersson has developed ...
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FeatureHow best to track the pack?
Recently developed RFID tags are becoming gradually more accessible to the masses, but do the benefits of this technology outweigh its initial expense.Track-and-trace technology enables users to locate and identify items throughout the supply chain. Methods adopted for such purposes on the returnable transit packaging used for moving automotive components ...
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FeatureKeeping up to speed
With production in eastern and central Europe predicted to grow further, investment in logistics operations must be made to cope with the flow of exports.Within the borders (and non-borders) of the European Union and its immediate trading partners, the past two decades have seen a gradual, but undeniable expansion of ...
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FeatureIs there still a place for leaders?
The ‘lead logistics provider’ concept may be undergoing its biggest ever changes. The question is whether or not it is still working for today’s automotive industry. Co-ordinated from a ‘control tower’ based on the customer's site in Solihull, England, an extensive European supply chain feeds the three British vehicle assembly ...
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FeatureA stronger grip on the market
A shift towards local production and increased near-sourcing is improving the tyremaker’s logistics and order management in one of its main growth territories, reports Anthony CoiaBased in Milan, Italy, Pirelli & C SpA is the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, with 22 factories in 13 countries around the world. ...
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FeatureFinding ways to improve benchmarking
Despite a multitude of difficulties, many outbound LSPs are working to benchmark performance, but it will take significant co-operation between OEMs to really push the process forwardBenchmarking in finished vehicle logistics can be a fraught practice. The international scale of the automotive industry, myriad business models and varying company objectives ...
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FeatureBrazil is slowing down to take stock
The Brazilian automotive sector has seen stalling production and sales following a stagnant economy and the end of tax breaks. Logistics companies are trying to combat the slowdown and find growthFollowing several years of boom time over much of the past decade, Brazil’s automotive supply chain players are now learning ...
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FeatureWhen supply is a close run thing
Carmakers are showing a renewed interest in local supply networks, but do the benefits of supplier proximity balance the costs for both sides, or is there a middle distance to be found for a win-win? The evolution of automotive manufacturing has mostly been a story of dis-integration. Today’s car factories ...
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FeatureDressing for a hot market in a cold network
The 15th annual Automotive Logistics Global conference, held at the MGM Grand in downtown Detroit, brought senior OEM, tier supplier and logistics provider executives to discuss ways of coping with the current growth and changes across the North American network. Most anticipated growing complexity, an increasingly important Mexico, and the ...
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FeatureSteady makes a Subaru
Subaru has doubled sales in the US over the past five years, by maintaining a well-planned, stable scheduling and logistics flow. Its top logistics team talks in depth about the carmaker's strategy for current and future growthSubaru has been on a tear for the last seven, tumultuous years in the ...
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FeatureProAct's end-to-end finished vehicle solution
This webinar presented ProAct’s latest unique software-solution capabilities for the planning, management and execution of complex, end-to-end, plant-to-dealer, finished vehicle supply chains.ProAct discussed how its software enables:Manufacturers to regain more control of their supply chain, whilst continuing to outsource the component partsLPs and 4PLs to improve technology solutions in their ...
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FeatureOn the right path
With foreign investment and favourable legislation, Nigeria could spring from automotive stagnation to overtake South Africa as the continent’s lead car manufacturing country. But the supply chain will be a major challenge.Nigeria’s once thriving domestic car assembly industry may be soon be reborn after years of stagnation nearly brought it ...
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FeatureRussian bans may not keep down imports for long
Some experts suggest that the fallout in the Russian market could eventually lead carmakers to close smaller factories, leading to a rise in imported vehicles. However, the government is launching support for sales and the supply chain The continuing Ukrainian crisis and subsequent economic sanctions and retaliations have already contributed ...
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FeatureIndian hopes return, problems remain
Automotive sales and confidence are returning, with Indian logistics executives seeing brighter days ahead. While many are looking to the Modi government for reforms, some companies most important improvements may still be internal.Excitement has pervaded the Indian landscape since the May national elections that swept Narendra Modi and his National ...
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FeatureGetting the North American network in ship shape
The inaugural Import Export North America conference, a joint AIAG and Finished Vehicle Logistics event, saw executives and lawmakers debate how best to prepare the region to meet the logistics challenges of changing import and export flows and rising production. Executives gathered at the port of Baltimore, Maryland The recovery ...
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FeatureLooking back: putting customers first in Indian vehicle logistics
Achal Paliwal (left), until recently head of exports and logistics at Honda Cars India, sat down for a pint or two with our India correspondent to discuss a career in vehicle logistics and the evolution of two Japanese companies in India with very different approaches.When long-serving executives step down from ...
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FeatureGuided by choices
In the push to improve productivity, manufacturers and logistics providers are looking to increase the use of AGVs in parts and material warehouses, although there are still questions about investment and flexibility. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are an increasingly common sight in the automotive industry, particularly in production plants, where ...
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FeatureLabour flexibility and logistics outsourcing key to Daimler union deal
Daimler has agreed new terms with its labour union for the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany (pictured), which will allow for more labour flexibility and outsourced logistics operations, helping to save hundreds of millions of euros over the next several years. In return, the carmaker will build a new model ...