In Depth – Page 87
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FeaturePalletisation grows in India
The use of pallets in the Indian automotive sector is patchy and influenced by a lack of infrastructure but there are signs that palletisation is about to be embraced.Low take-up of pallestisation;Need for infrastructure improvement;Stabilisation of sizes;Who will be the first to jump?;Parameters for pallet standards.Seldom in the history of ...
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FeatureSuppliers get serious about logistics
Hit hard in the tough times, but expected to respond rapidly when the economy improves, tier one suppliers must find logistics approaches that are fast, cheap and flexible. Jonathan Ward reports that some are now benefitting from investment in IT and process improvements.Simple, fast and cheap;Parts and processes hand in ...
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FeatureAgility required
Continental is bouncing back in China, but is aware that the country’s bureaucracy and lack of visibility present particular challenges to a supply chain that requires a flexible approach.A need to lower inventory;Complex and growing opportunities;Keeping up with logistics demand;The Japan crisis;Sticking to current contracts.The story of Continental in Asia ...
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FeatureGroup dynamics at VW
As the head of VW Group Logistics, Thomas Zernechel is keeping logistics innovation at the forefront of the carmaker’s global expansion, particularly with the rollout of its ‘new logistics concept’.Capacity planning down the tiers;Moving towards crossdocks;Letting the train take the strain;Rolling out hubs for outbound;The role of C02 reduction;A return ...
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FeatureGeodis going further and deeper in automotive
Geodis Wilson is emerging as a major player on the global automotive logistics stage. Part of the Geodis Group, 100% owned by the French railways, SNCF, the company is expanding rapidly on every continent for automotive, from expansion of its airfreight facility in Atlanta to being a full 3PL to ...
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FeatureAfter the disaster in Japan
The tsunami and earthquake in Japan have produced soul-searching about how the industry should react. But there will not be a knee-jerk reaction, and well-established practices will not be thrown into reverseKey industries positions questioned;Minimising impact of disasters.Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in March put a significant proportion of the ...
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FeatureChina's aftermarket is waiting for the ripple
The aftermarket in China is lagging behind the manufacture of and demand for cars but there are encouraging signs that consolidation and specialisation of services is on the rise.An overview of China's aftermarket;Early days;The aftermarket versus the auto market;Packaging in the aftermarket;The dealership challenge;Warranty and cost;How excited should companies get?.By ...
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FeatureMaking the warehouse visible
The key to an efficient automotive operation is a successful warehouse system but it needs to be integrated and transparent to reach its optimum efficiency.Consolidating different systems;Supporting cross-docking;Range of picking systems;Barcode scanning;Costs of investment.Ever since the first Model T rolled off Ford’s production line, manufacturing processes were seen as key ...
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FeatureInvestment drain from vehicle logistics in Europe
Despite rising profits among many carmakers, Europe’s finished vehicle logistics industry is threatened by a lack of investment coupled by rising costs and stagnant rates, a scenario already causing capacity bottlenecks, according to the president of the European Association of Vehicle Logistics (ECG), Costantino Baldissara (pictured). Speaking to Automotive Logistics ...
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Flexible dispatch from America
Towards more flexible wagonsThumbs up for TTXTowards greater co-loadingHow to boost East Coast port traffic?Further market potentialTransit damage still an issueThe US rail network has a high market share for moving vehicles and may still have excess wagons in storage, but the future balance between bi-levels and tri-levels is causing ...
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FeatureArgentine car production accellerates
The Brazil effectGlobal giants investCapacity is getting tightArgentina’s auto sector has been stuttering for the last few years in the wake of the financial crisis. But last year car sales reached a new recor,d based on heightened demand at home as well as strong demand abroad, particularly from Brazil, writes ...
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FeatureThailand takes off
Strong government incentives for manufacturers coupled with regional freetrade agreements and growing domestic and export demand are spurring a fast growing automotive sector in Thailand. Russell Beron and Ellen Hua take a look at how the market is developing and what LSPs are doing to keep up.Thai automotive growth driversA ...
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FeatureThe Kaluga Alternative
In theory, Kaluga should not work as an automotive cluster. It is under-developed, fairly remote and there is a limited labour base. But the attitude adopted by the local authorities and innovative logistics are winning carmakers overSupplying KalugaTransport linksSupply chain evolutionInfrastructureThe customs problemFundamental politicsRussia was, for a moment, Europe’s largest ...
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FeatureBlend the strengths at NYK
Japan’s NYK Group is in the process of merging its contract logistics division with its airfreight forwarding business to create a global entity called Yusen Logistics. Marcus Williams reports on the how it is aiming to provide a tailor-made service that will better serve the needs of its automotive customers.Phased ...
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FeatureKeeping it well covered
Damage superhighwayPrevention is better than cureInsurance and recovery processes in the finished vehicle supply chain are designed to ensure that the responsible party pays for any damage, but they can also help drive up quality, as Jonathan Ward reports. Additional reporting by Christopher Ludwig.The fact that a new car rolls ...
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FeatureCollaborating in the aftermarket
Marcia MacLeod discovers how logistics companies and manufacturers in the US are waking up to the benefits of shared services and more collaboration in the aftermarket supply chain.Dealing with damageCollaborating on deliveryCombing inbound with aftermarketThe sheer size of North America, with more than 3,000 miles between east and west coasts ...
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FeatureA rise ahead for European packaging
Large increases in new global vehicle programmes are expected to drive up demand for packaging across much of Europe, but manufacturers still want to see more recyclable and returnable packaging, particularly on an intercontinental basis.Demand, volume and sales forecastChallenges for the packaging industryThe standard argumentReturn to senderPlunging into container pooling?Although ...
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FeatureTier survivors
The recession has consolidated the tier supply chain, forcing those who have managed to survive to become stronger and more competitive. But that has to be reflected in their own supply chain efficiency as well.The new normalA lot of work left to be doneA 'no silo' approachEarning a profit as ...
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FeatureGlovis America: the next generation
Expansion plans for the US Assets to have and to have notThe Hyundai and Kia networkConsolidating ports will continueBetter planning for port processingGlovis America is not simply an offshoot of the Korean giant Hyundai; it is a lean logistics company ready to work across the automotive sector, from vehicle processing ...
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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 ...