Features – Page 22
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Plant yards & systems: Allowing space to grow
The effective management of plant yards is an important component of finished vehicle supply chains because of the constant flow and high volume of products such manufacturing plants typically handle. As a number of OEMs re-examine the balance between in-house labour and outsourced providers, many have begun to devote more ...
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Supply Chain Conference: The future is already here
A drone demonstration by Venture highlighted the potential of new technology for inventory management at plants and warehousesThat the automotive industry will see [sta_anchor id="1"]exponential change is something that many, if not all, experts and executives predict – even if they disagree about the pace and scale of change. ...
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Russian imports: Forecasting a fragile recovery
[in_this_story align="right" border="yes"]In August last year, imports of finished vehicles in Russia rose 5.3% year-on-year, bringing an end to a decline that had lasted for 35 consecutive months. Meanwhile, during the course of 2016, several carmakers, including SsangYong and Honda, unveiled plans to start importing finished vehicles into the country ...
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Supply Chain Conference: Service parts logistics try to keep up with e-commerce
The service parts sector is among the first distribution channels in the automotive market to feel disruption from the digital economy, as consumers increasingly buy goods and services online.Indeed, within the wider aftermarket, including the large share of the market held by independent distributors, consumers already make significant use of ...
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Education and training: The hard line on soft skills
[in_this_story align="right" border="yes"]General Motors’ executive director for global supply chain, Todd Scott, meets frequently with the faculties of several universities. At Cranfield University School of Management – ranked number one outside the United States in Supply Chain World’s annual Top 100 Universities survey – senior supply chain executives from industry, ...
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DHL in the UK: staying ahead of automotive change
Despite uncertainty surrounding the UK’s departure from the EU, planned investments in new models and manufacturing should keep the country’s vehicle production networks competitive and growing.Overall investment has fallen since the ‘Brexit’ vote last June, but volume has, at least until very recently, grown strongly. Light vehicle sales reached record ...
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Materials handling: Machines on the move
[in_this_story align="right" border="yes"] Advances in automated technology and robotics have already transformed many aspects of automotive manufacturing, with the sector taking a lead in plant technology and automation investment, from stamping equipment to precision welding robots. In the context of increasing digitalisation, manufacturers are looking to go much further, ...
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The end of the line?
As the vehicle industry and market moves towards higher levels of electrification and connectivity, production experts anticipate a change from the traditional assembly line layout that has dominated the industry for nearly a century. Instead, OEMs are expected to increasingly orientate their plants and supply chains around more flexible, digitally ...
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Looking for the human-machine touch
Digital technology is fast changing the way vehicles are built, with labour, data and engineering management set for new levels of automation, according to experts speaking at the recent automotiveIT Forum Production and Logistics.But while automotive plants and their supply chains adapt new concepts and equipment, including for logistics and ...
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EV supply chains: Shifting currents
Mass-market electric vehicles are coming. Global plug-in sales grew 42% in 2016, reaching to 773,600 units.Today, electric vehicles account for only about 0.1% of the global vehicle stock and less than 1% of sales; volume growth in SUVs and trucks, while lower in percentage terms, has had a bigger impact ...
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A new look (but it’s what’s inside that counts)
Whether you’re a regular or new visitor to Automotive Logistics, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to some changes and new features on our website that we hope you’ll enjoy. We think that they both improve our layout and will help you better access and choose from ...
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Reinventing itself to keep abreast of changing demand
Despite uncertainty surrounding the UK’s departure from the European Union, carmakers in the country have announced a number of investments in the past 12 months that should, in the medium term at least, keep the country’s vehicle production networks competitive and growing.According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers ...
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Evolution Time Critical opens new office in Atlanta
Emergency logistics services provider, Evolution Time Critical, has opened a US office in Atlanta, Georgia. The company said it had decided to put an office there in response to increasing demand from the automotive industry for its services and cited North America’s high vehicle production levels, which are expected to ...
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China conference: Fast lane to the future
Looking to 2025 and beyond: (left to right) Automotive Logistics' Louis Yiakoumi; CFLP's Ma Zengrong; Continental's Andreas Subbe; Volvo Cars' Magnus Ödling; Automotive Logistics' Christopher LudwigThe Chinese automotive industry continues to climb to new heights both in quantity of volume and in quality of service. After a red-hot year ...
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China trucking: From overloaded to under capacity
China’s new road transport rules are prompting an evolution in the country’s vehicle logistics as suppliers redefine their networks to cope with changing truck limits – but investment is likely to be slowIn this story... A new phase for car carriers The capacity hit A centrist view Levelling the ...
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Changan Ford: The long and short of it
With new regulations leading to price rises and capacity shortages in road transport, Changan Ford is seeking rail and water alternatives where it can, as well as investment by its 3PLThe recent breakaway growth of vehicle production and sales in China – which accelerated in 2016 and has continued into ...
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European ports: Sailing into a tide of protectionism?
The repercussions of last year’s political eruptions have yet to be felt in Europe’s ports and growth is expected to continue this year, bringing with it much-needed investment. But port operators and shipping companies remain on alert for any shift in trading patternsWhile last year was one of political earthquakes, ...
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Groupe PSA report: A partnership of choice for Gefco and PSA
Having signed an €8 billion contract with its former owner PSA, Gefco is keen to emphasise its growing independence both within and outside the automotive sector
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Groupe PSA special report: Refait à neuf
A five-part feature assays the recent fortunes of Groupe PSA – and the effects on its logistics functions across PSA and its newly acquired Opel and Vauxhall brands – under the leadership of Carlos Tavares and senior vice-president of supply chain, Francesca Gamboni.
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Groupe PSA report: Chef d’orchestre prepares to begin a new movement
PSA’s vice-president of supply chain, Francesca Gamboni, is bringing a new vision of supply chain management inspired by the kind of cross-departmental responsibility found in the FMCG sector. She reveals how this could improve PSA’s supply versus demand balance