Interviews
Watch: A royal entry to Mexico’s competitive supply base
Kevin Reed, vice-president of supply chain at tier two electronics and battery component supplier Royal Power, talks to Daniel Harrison about why the company recently built a new plant in Mexico, and the challenges facing its supply chain and logistics. In the context of declining margins among tier suppliers, Reed discusses the key advantages of moving to Mexico to better serve customers and compete, and why maximising efficiency in the supply chain is a crucial differentiator.
Listen: Interview with Alfonso Gutierrez, Nissan Mexico
At the Automotive Logistics Mexico 2020 conference, Nissan Mexico’s recently appointed deputy director of purchasing speaks to editor Joanne Perry about his ambitions in the role, the challenges of logistics purchasing in Mexico and why it’s crucial to empower personnel to “go and conquer”
Listen: Interview with Hector Martinez, Honda Mexico
At the Automotive Logistics Mexico 2020 conference, Hector Martinez, division manager export sales and CBU logistics at Honda Mexico, tells Joanne Perry about the OEM’s outbound logistics operation in the country, including key challenges such as security issues, congestion at ports and extreme weather events.
Q&A with Olga Stepanova, sales director of RZD Logistics
As vehicle shipments increase on overland routes between Europe and China, Russian companies such as the state-owned RZD are aiming to capitalise on the new business. Automotive Logistics discusses the development of a new Silk Road with Olga Stepanova, sales director of RZD Logistics
Nissan North America: On track to cut container pool shrinkage
Container pool shrinkage is an issue that has a costly impact on OEMs and tier suppliers across the automotive industry. At various points in the extended supply chains which support today’s vehicle manufacturing operations, containers go missing, are misused or are even stolen to be resold and used elsewhere
Toyota North America: Breaking down supply chain barriers
Toyota is realigning its production and service parts organisation by integrating its inbound and aftermarket supply chain departments into a new division called PDAD. Group vice-president of the new division, Alok Vaish, explains the thinking behind it
Ford Europe packaging: Heading to the pool
Ford’s Kuly Malka has overseen a transformation in the carmaker’s European packaging and container management
Toyota merges production and service parts logistics in North America
Toyota is comprehensively realigning its production and service parts organisation in North America with an integrated supply chain division as part of its overall One Toyota initiative, designed to improve customer service and cost efficiency.
John Begg moves to Johnson Controls
John Begg has moved to tier supplier Johnson Controls as director of global supply chain and transportation for its Power Solutions division, which makes and distributes vehicle batteries.
Stocker takes on strategic role at DHL Supply Chain
John Stocker (pictured) has moved to DHL Supply Chain as director of strategic development. He was previously commercial director at Gefco’s UK division and had been with the company for more than six years. DHL Supply Chain provides contract logistics services for a range of sectors, including automotive.
Bysouth becomes logistics chief at IAC
Kelly Bysouth (pictured) has joined International Automotive Components (IAC) as chief supply chain officer, with global responsibility and operational control of procurement and logistics.She brings 25 years of related experience to the company, which is based in Luxembourg.[mpu_ad]Bysouth moves from Adient, where she held a variety of leadership positions in ...
Mark Stanyer appointed MD at ProAct International
Mark Stanyer has joined supply chain and logistics software expert, ProAct International, as MD. He moves from his role as IT director at the Office for Nuclear Regulation and brings 30 years’ experience in IT management, as well as expertise in logistics, distribution and supply chain.
Storrs replaces Clarke at Ford of Europe
Chris Storrs (pictured) has replaced Helen Clarke at Ford of Europe as finished vehicle logistics manager.
Gianclaudio Neri new MD of Ceva in Italy
Gianclaudio Neri has been appointed managing director of Ceva Logistics business in Italy, succeeding Christophe Poitrineau, who is leaving the logistics provider to pursue other career opportunities.
Gary Cardenas takes over as CEO of ProTrans
Gary Cardenas (left) has taken over as CEO of North American third-party logistics (3PL) provider ProTrans International. He replaces owner and founder Craig Roeder in the role. Roeder remains on the board of directors at the company and will serve as strategic project manager.
Seguin takes over global freight forwarding at UPS
Romaine Seguin (pictured) has become president of Global Freight Forwarding at packaging delivery and supply chain management company, UPS. She moves from her role as president of the UPS Americas Region, where she was responsible for all UPS package and cargo operations in Canada and more than 50 countries and ...
Ford appoints Chen to tackle sales slump in China
Ford is turning its business in China into a stand-alone business unit, Ford China, headed by Anning Chen (pictured). The move is part of a general reorganisation of the OEM's Asia-Pacific operations designed to return the company to profitable growth.
Vegard Synnes moves to Kar-Tainer
Vegard Synnes has moved from his role as global key account manager at Changjiu International Logistics to take up a new position as director of marketing in Asia for Kar-Tainer International, a global provider of containerised vehicle transport systems.
Apollo's Rivallant named European president
Apollo Tyres has promoted Benoit Rivallant to be president of its European operations.Rivallant has been with the tyre manufacturer since 2014, during which time, successfully introduced commercial vehicle tyres into Europe as group head, global product management for commercial vehicle tyres, the Indian company says.“It is our corporate philosophy to ...
Gielen to become CEO at Schoeller Allibert
Copyright: Debby Termonia Former entrepreneur Ludo Gielen is to become the new CEO of Schoeller Allibert on 1 November, 14 years after selling them his company. Gielen joined the Dutch returnable transit packaging company when it bought BiPP Plastic Pallets from him in 2004. “Over the years ...
Sauzedde takes over as MD of Ceva’s CEE cluster
Guillaume Sauzedde (pictured) has taken over from Piotr Zborowski as MD of Ceva Logistics’ business in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). He moves from his role as MD for Kuehne + Nagel’s division in Poland, and will take up the new position on November 5.
Wendt takes on key supplier role at BMW
Andreas Wendt (pictured) has become BMW’s new management board member for purchasing and supplier network. He was previously director of the group’s largest car assembly plant in Germany at Dingolfing.Wendt was appointed to his new role on 1 October by the supervisory board, whose chairman Norbert Reithofer said: “The purchasing ...
Legacy of a moderniser: Sergio Marchionne
Already known for turning around the Fiat Group in under two years, Sergio Marchionne was instrumental in Fiat forming an alliance with US carmaker Chrysler when it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The Italian carmaker took a 20% controlling stake in Chrysler in June that year and Marchionne ...
Anderson replaces McCann as CEO at United Road
Marc Anderson (pictured) is taking over as CEO of US finished vehicle haulier, United Road Services. He replaces Kathleen McCann, who will move to the role of executive chairman in January.
Russians drop US dollar for components purchases
Russian Trade and Industry minister Denis Manturov (pictured) has revealed that many Russian automotive manufacturers are increasingly using national currencies, rather than the US dollar, to pay for imported components. The move has been prompted by recent US sanctions on Russia.
Harring becomes Bridgestone’s logistics chief in EMEA
Ulf Harring (pictured) has joined global tyre maker Bridgestone as chief operating officer (COO) for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Michael Druml takes on purchasing role at Magna
Michael Druml (pictured) has taken over as vice-president of purchasing for Magna International Europe replacing Klaus Iffland, who has retired from the company.
Dana McBrien takes lead role at AutoSphere
Dana McBrien (pictured) has moved from his role as associate chief advisor at Honda North America to become ‘guiding architect’ for AutoSphere, a digital supply chain system (previously referred to as the Automotive Supply Chain Data Ecosystem) developed by US information technology and packaging specialist, Surgere.
Victor Arabe leaves VW for Nationwide
Victor Arabe (pictured), previously port manager for Volkswagen's business at the port of San Diego, in the US, has moved to Nationwide Auto Services (NAS) as director of business development. NAS provides paint and hail damage repair services but is widening the scope of its operations by working directly with ...
After Marchionne, what next for Fiat Chrysler?
Sergio Marchionne (pictured), former CEO at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), was a remarkable man. He frequently dominated the automotive industry’s headlines and news agenda over the last decade or so and his recent passing away robs the industry of one of its few stars. In an age when corporate suits ...
Getting better with age
It has been an incredible journey over these last 20 years working on Automotive Logistics, expanding both our publications and our conferences around the world.
Production & logistics part 1: Where are we now?
This article kicks off a series of pieces celebrating Automotive Logistics’ 20th anniversary issue that together take an extended look at the way top executives feel automotive production and logistics have changed in the last two decades – and where they see them heading in the future
Audi warns of spot-checks on suppliers as it introduces new sustainability ratings system
Audi has warned that it will only place orders in future with suppliers who achieve a positive score under its newly introduced sustainability ratings system – and that it intends to carry out spot-checks to audit them.
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 ...
Ten years in India part 2: MM Singh from Maruti Suzuki
Continuing our celebrations ahead of the 10th Automotive Logistics India conference on November 8th-10th, we look back at our past decade of exclusive interviews and coverage of the Indian automotive supply chain.
Tesla’s supply chain set for a surge
Tesla has captured the car industry’s collective imagination in many ways since its start-up in 2008, including how it builds and sells its electric vehicles.
China conference: preparing for the new and the old, for growth and decline
The 11th annual Automotive Logistics China conference was held for the first time in the south-western city of Chengdu, a symbol of the automotive industry’s westward development and the centre of the revival of the old ‘Silk Road’ trade routes emphasised by the government’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy. Christopher ...
China conference: preparing for the new and the old, for growth and decline
The 11th annual Automotive Logistics China conference was held for the first time in the south-western city of Chengdu, a symbol of the automotive industry’s westward development and the centre of the revival of the old ‘Silk Road’ trade routes emphasised by the government’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy. Christopher ...
Ford part 1: Always looking ahead
In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service
Mexico Conference report: On the borderline of change
The second Automotive Logistics Mexico conference, held in Mexico City, saw hundreds of executives and officials discuss how best to ensure that the country’s fast-growing automotive production and supply chain will be fit for purpose by 2020 and beyond. Christopher Ludwig reports on plenty of progress, as well as reasons ...
South America conference: Taking control in a crisis
The 7th Automotive Logistics South America conference, held in São Paulo, Brazil, may have brought together delegates experiencing recession, and suffering from declining volumes, but the Brazilians showed their resilience and creativity. Companies emphasised how to reshape supply chains in a crisis, and how they could move forward together stronger, ...
Coming to an automotive supply chain near you
The 16th Automotive Logistics Global conference, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, brought together an industry growing and with positive outlooks. However, the potential changes heralded by the digital economy could upend business as usual. The question is when?
Coming to an automotive supply chain near you
The 16th Automotive Logistics Global conference, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, brought together an industry growing and with positive outlooks. However, the potential changes heralded by the digital economy could upend business as usual. The question is when?
Transport equipment: On the road to improvement
In this story...
With 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 ...
WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE
It brings together in one place all the content from our print magazines, our worldwide conferences, our e-news service, our video interviews and webinars, and our directory of logistics providers. It displays our Twitter feed and provides connections to our Linked-in groups.
Editor's Note: VW North America and Fiat Latin America
This issue features our first ‘double bill’ cover, with interviews across Volkswagen in North America (p16), and Fiat in Latin America (p26). Each of these stories, carved into their smaller halves, warrants its own cover.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: Why is India's infrastructure lagging?
Why is India's infrastructure lagging behind growth?
Searching for the silver lining
Last year was a devastating one for European ports that depend on car handling. But while recovery is uncertain, Piotr Switalski uncovers the collaborative strategies towards which both ports and policymakers must work (Christopher Ludwig contributed reporting).
Logistics is holding back South Africa’s industry
With sales and exports hit hard, South Africa’s seven OEMs are scrambling to revamp their production to become more efficient, and pushing for the country’s rail and port operator to smarten up. If that doesn’t happen, carmakers may go elsewhere
