All GM articles – Page 25
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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FeatureThe power of recall
Recalls and a carmaker's ability to carry them out efficiently can have an effect not just on public relations, but on the company’s bottom line and share price. LSPs are increasingly getting involved.In the late morning of April 10th 2014, the general manager of University Volkswagen Mazda, a car ...
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FeatureSean Bricknell takes up global logistics role at GM
Sean Bricknell has taken up a new role at General Motors focusing on the carmaker’s global logistics strategy. He moves over from his role as logistics director for GM International Operations (GMIO) where he was responsible for the Asia, Africa and Middle East region. In his current role in charge ...
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FeatureYusen expands services for GM in Russia
Yusen Logistics has been appointed by General Motors DAT/CIS to provide final mile inbound delivery services in Russia.The new business represents a further step in the development of the relationship between GM and Yusen Logistics in Russia, according to the company, with Yusen now providing delivery solutions for service parts ...
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FeatureThe sea change yet to hit shore in North America
Growing production in Mexico and the US, along with rail wagon shortages, could disrupt the regional port network and its services. However, with new plants only just launching in Mexico, the future patterns aren't yet clear. The continuing trend of nearshoring in North America’s automotive sector is poised to have ...
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FeatureRacking up the savings
The use of specialised metal racks is a common albeit costly practice in the automotive sector. Packaging engineers are working on making them lighter and more modular. The use of specialised metal racks is a common albeit costly practice in the automotive sector. Packaging engineers are working on making ...
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FeatureThe backlash over Ukraine stifles vehicles flows
*This story has been updated from an earlier versionFalling currencies, blocked supplies into Crimea and Sevastopol, confusion over new border and customs, and uncertain taxes are making the situation for production and distribution volatile across Russia and Ukraine.It has been a tumultuous year in Ukraine and Russia following widespread protests ...
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FeatureThirsty for pressure
Gefco’s chief executive, Luc Nadal (pictured), has ambitious plans for global expansion under Russian Railways ownership. But as an avid seaman, he knows it won’t always be smooth sailing.Few logistics providers have seen as much change as the Gefco Group in just two years. The major trigger was PSA Peugeot ...
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FeatureWhat’s keeping US outbound executives awake in the middle of the night?
A severe disruption to rail capacity this year has left thousands of vehicles stranded in North America, leading some carmakers to look more carefully at their road and short-sea shipping options. Executives discussed their long-term plans at this year’s conference in California.The prospect of modal shifts for finished vehicle distribution ...
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FeatureWaiting to ride the Chinese waves
Domestic ro-ro shipping on China’s east coast and along the Yangtze River has seen solid growth, but is still treading water relative to the overall market. Transporting vehicles by water for the Chinese domestic market would appear to make a great deal of sense. Around 95% of Chinese production of ...
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FeatureToyota move will unite supply chain management in Texas
Toyota’s decision to build a new headquarters in Texas for its North American corporate functions will bring together for the first time much of the region’s top management for inbound, outbound and spare parts logistics. Toyota’s chief executive and logistics managers expect that this proximity will allow for better collaboration ...
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FeatureChina’s new growth comes with old stories
Speakers at this year's conference in Beijing revealed that manufacturers and logistics providers are well on their way to further growth in China, but many are still struggling to shift towards higher-value services, as well as fix familiar problems. Additional reporting by Marcus WilliamsFull-length videos of the main sessions are ...
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FeatureImpasse over cost versus quality in China
Logistics providers in China have complained that carmakers are squeezing their rates despite rising transport and labour costs across the country. However, officials and executives point to dishonest practices and the need for greater transparency.Speaking at the Automotive Logistics China conference in Beijing, Chen Gang, vice-president of Changjiu Logistics (left), ...
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FeatureOpel to leave China; plans Europe production of US Buick model
General Motors has announced its Opel brand’s official removal from the Chinese market, effective in January 2015. At the same time, it has said that it plans to build two new models for the US market at its plant in Rüsselsheim in Germany. Opel will build a new Buick model ...
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FeatureWith solid financials, Gefco looks to acquisition and growth
The Gefco Group has announced positive results for 2013, including higher revenue and net profits, although difficult automotive markets in Europe and costs weighed on its operating profit and margin. While Gefco is facing risks over the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the company has charted an aggressive growth plan, which is likely ...
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FeatureEight logistics providers among GM Supplier of the Year winners
General Motors has announced its 2013 Supplier of the Year award to 68 suppliers, including eight companies working specifically in logistics for the carmaker.Only 1% of GM’s 24,000 global suppliers are selected for the awards, which are chosen by a group of purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives. “Our ...
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FeatureAiming for end-to-end control at Opel/Vauxhall
Michael Scholl, Opel/Vauxhall’s director of supply chain, discusses parallel planning, in-plant logistics customisation and complexity with Automotive Logistics When carmakers make changes, be it launching a new model, adding or shifting a supplier location, or selling in a new market, they reverberate across the supply chain, either as ripples ...
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FeatureOpel intensifies ‘total enterprise cost’ efforts
General Motors European division, Opel/Vauxhall, has intensified its efforts at planning supply chain flows and logistics in an effort to improve ‘total enterprise cost’, including more focus on localisation, stable flows and new information technology. Speaking at the Automotive Logistics Europe conference in Bonn, Marzell Bandur (pictured left), director of ...