In Depth – Page 85
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FeatureRoom for improvement
Backlogs and bottlenecksA need for optimismNo need for pessimismDaimler’s outbound logistics providers were told that they needed to improve their performance and invest in new transport equipment to support the carmaker’s ‘best or nothing’ credo at this year’s European Carrier Day, writes Marcus Williams.Das Beste oder nichts. The best or ...
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FeatureLatin's America's export engine
Northbound networkOcean exportsVehicle processing connectionsThe domestic networkOverland challengesZero-damage mindsetMexico is the fastest growing region for vehicle production in North America. While its benefiting from some recovery to its main market in the US, it is also expanding its links to the south in Latin America, reports Anthony CoiaMexican automotive production ...
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FeaturePartners in search of partnership
Shared tenders means shared providers Combining the port network Lowering inventory with lead times Outbound has not caught up with inbound Is the best yet to come for rail? Close and fair relationships Renault Nissan has converged more of the outbound logistics planning and operations for the two brands across ...
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FeatureVIDEO INTERVIEWS: Why is India's infrastructure lagging?
Why is India's infrastructure lagging behind growth?Dr Manoj Singh, transport adviser for the Indian government's Planning Commission, talks to Automotive Logistics Editor Christopher Ludwig about the role that the government is seeking to play in improving the logistics for India's automotive production and exports, as well as why the country ...
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FeatureLean logistics on the rise in the East
Ellen Hua looks at how China’s OEMs and logistics providers are bringing more sophisiticated services to warehouses and assembly lines.Adding value to the supply chain;Inbound logistics sourcing;Container management control;Supplier parks in the Chinese context;Building IT capabilities;China's 3PL, 4PL and 3.5PL;Global 3PLs look westward;The lean journey.Sustained high growth in China’s automotive ...
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FeatureAn almost endless potential
With BMW’s production at full speed, logistics has become critical in maintaining record profits. But Dr Karl May, head of logistics, tells Christopher Ludwig that there have been service failures and he’s looking for reliable partners to share BMW’s considerable growth.The sound of opportunity speeding through;The necessary preassure of logistics;The ...
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An EC-funded supply chain link
Cologne-based Alfah is typical of many smaller businesses in the automotive supply chain. A regional spare parts distributor with 12 employees, its business consists of sourcing parts from wholesalers and then selling them to small repair shops.Until recently, the company had to check the availability of a given part by ...
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The next generation of RFID
Launched in November, Zebra Technologies’ third generation real-time location system, WhereLAN III, significantly boosts the technology’s appeal to the automotive supply chain.It improves on previous generations in three important regards–each of which has relevance in automotive applications, including the finished vehicle supply chain, inbound logistics and assembly plant operations.First, noted ...
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FeatureAnother BRIC builds a wall
Trade barriers are going up again. Christopher Ludwig writes that carmakers and logistics providers will have to adapt to avoid sinking outside the border.The narrative of globalisation tells of nations steadily dismantling national barriers for a free exchange of goods and services. But in today’s souring political and economic climate, ...
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FeatureAn insider's insight into India
With carmakers demanding the same level of 3PL service in India as they do elsewhere around the globe, Ramesh Kumar discovers the strengths that enable the country’s homegrown providers–such as TCI Supply Chain Solutions–to compete with global players.When Jasjit Sethi, the chief executive officer of TCI Supply Chain Solutions (TCI ...
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FeatureStacking up the benefits of IT
Aftermarket software solutions are key to OEMs providing a cost-effective and quality service throughout their supply chains. Anthony Coia takes a look at the diversity, drivers and development of several such systems.Integration challanges;Nissan and the click system;Reducing diversity at Renault Nissan;Nascent systems for emerging markets;Growth challenges.In the wake of economic ...
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FeatureRolling out on to terra firma in Brazil
With a fast flow of new cars being produced and an abundance of older vehicles still requiring maintenance and spare parts, Brazil is a busy land for carmakers and logistics providers. The arrival of new manufacturers from Asia and Europe may also kick-start new business, as Tony Danby discoversGrowth opportunities ...
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FeatureClosing the gap
Eastern Europe continues to see steady investment in its manufacturing and supply base and with ongoing growth expected in Russia, the region should grow more than Western Europe. But logistics still needs focus, writes Malcolm Wheatley.A long way to go for logistics;Constraints for vehicle logistics;A growing supply base;A mostly positive ...
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FeatureThe struggle for survival in Spain
Adapting to changeReflecting the marketHarbouring plans for the futureA massive drop in imports and subsequent over-reliance on the export market has left the Spanish vehicle logistics sector in a critical state. Barry Cross looks at how manufacturers and providers are working to ensure a healthy prognosis for the industry.The Spanish ...
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FeatureThe making of a Maruti market
Outsourcing challengesImproving IT systemsRolling out hub-and-spoke distributionThe need for multimodal transportLogistics for the road aheadAs the biggest passenger carmaker in India, Maruti Suzuki has almost single-handedly transformed the country’s vehicle transport network. Ramesh Kumar looks at the achievements, legacy and aspirations of the manufacturer’s logistics operations.You may have the best ...
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FeatureGM's Christine Krathwohl looks at the road ahead
The major challenges she faces in the coming year, including logistics spend, accelerated product launches and a serious look at supplier relationships. Christine Krathwohl takes two minutes out of a busy second day at Automotive Logistics Global 2011 conference to talk about the major challenges she faces in the coming ...
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FeatureRebuilding from out of the wreckage
Japan’s manufacturers and suppliers have bounced back with vigour since being devastated by the tsunami earlier this year. William Ross looks at the implications of the disaster and the strength of the yen for the automotive logistics industry.A shared experience;Lessons and challenges in the aftermath;Tough trading conditions;Foreign part production.Rows of ...
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FeatureGetting China on the right track
Specialised rail wagonsPriority conflictsWeighing up the costsThe damage questionRail versus road in the China contextChanging paceGuarded optimismWith finished vehicles way down the list of priorities for Chinese railways compared to passengers and with the cost of road haulage low, Ellen Hua examines the long-term prospects for increasing rail for vehicle ...
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FeatureEnsuring a bon voyage for global parts
PSA Peugeot-Citroën’s evolution from a European carmaker to one which sells and builds vehicles in global markets has been under way for some years. But as the pace accelerates and its supply chain becomes more complex–with more shared platforms and increasing parts exchange–so too has the need arisen for a ...
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BLG sets up Chinese JV, avoids going inland
BLG Logistics has made a move to work directly within the Chinese market with the signing of a letter of understanding for a new joint venture with the Chinese supply chain provider Cinko SCM.The scope of the agreement mainly covers imports and exports, rather than inland distribution, an area in ...