All Materials handling articles – Page 14
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FeatureEurope conference: No easy way to the digital supply chain
The 2017 Automotive Logistics Europe conference reminded delegates that, despite a better economy, the industry is under pressure. However, new technology looks set to offer the supply chain as much opportunity as disruption, if companies are able to keep up. Marcus Williams, Christopher Ludwig and Gareth Tredway report from Bonn, ...
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FeatureEurope conference: Using logistics to compete across a digitalised aftermarket
Consolidation among parts retailers and changing consumer habits are transforming Europe’s aftermarket, with logistics services both at risk and able to provide a competitive edge, writes Marcus WilliamsThe European automotive aftermarket and service parts business is in the midst of tremendous change, prompted by consolidation among major suppliers and distributors, ...
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FeatureIFOY Awards announced at Transport Logistics
The winners of the the International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Awards were announced on the opening night of this year's Transport Logistics trade show in Munich, Germany, this week at a special event held at BMW Welt, the carmaker's customer centre.This year, 11 machines from seven manufacturers made ...
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FeatureMaterials 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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FeatureThe 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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FeatureLooking 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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FeatureDHL Supply Chain to handle in-plant logistics for JLR in Brazil
DHL Supply Chain has been awarded the contract to manage in-plant logistics at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR’s) new manufacturing plant in Itatiaia, Brazil (pictured).JLR opened its 750m reais ($215m) manufacturing facility last June. It is the first wholly-owned manufacturing plant the carmaker has set up outside of the UK (its ...
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FeatureE-commerce automation: Ocado bags a revolution
Many in automotive logistics like to think they’re at the cutting edge of automation and information technology. But as grocery e-retailer Ocado demonstrates, those in the car sector could learn a lot from the way other products are being handled and distributedIn this story... Hatfield sets the standard Busy bees ...
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FeaturePSA group details €200m plan to modernise Sochaux
French carmaker PSA Group plans to modernise its Sochaux plant in the east of the country as part of a €200m ($213m) investment by 2022 that will include the installation of the first press line in France in two decades.A dedicated team has been on site for three years to ...
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FeatureMercedes-Benz Trucks expands contract with Ceva in Brazil
Mercedes-Benz has extended its contract with Ceva Logistics in Brazil covering inbound and aftermarket services for its Juiz de Fora assembly facility in Minais Gerais. The deal means a three-year extension to its existing contract with Ceva, which covers materials handling, line feeding and external warehousing.However, the latest deal also ...
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FeatureAudi embraces wearable scanning technology at Ingolstadt
Audi has adopted a wearable scanner from ProGlove at its Ingolstadt plant in Germany in what it describes as the first step towards the widespread use of wearable technologies in its production process.Audi tested the handheld scanner replacement – which leaves both hands free for other handling operations unlike conventional ...
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FeatureIndia conference report: Looking for the next leap forward
India’s automotive industry is set to become the third biggest in the world but its growth is testing the infrastructure to the limit and bringing a high level of complexity to the supply chain. There are also big changes ahead related to tax policy and equipment legislation, which bring their ...
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FeatureJLR part 1: Ensuring logistics is not a victim of success
With so much expansion, change and inevitable risk still ahead of the carmaker, JLR’s director of global material planning and logistics, David Dyke, is pushing his department’s influence across the company and the supply chain to gain efficiency and further strength
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FeatureBMW and Greer: A port far from any storms
No ocean-going vessel ever docks there but an inland port at Greer, South Carolina, has proved a perfect solution for BMW’s import and export parts shipping needsIn this story... Seeking new options A custom designed platform Expanding the scope of service Storing for successPerhaps the truest measure of efficiency and ...
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FeatureVolkswagen & Audi in Mexico part 2: Everything in its right place
Audi Mexico’s upcoming plant at San José Chiapa has had logistics efficiency built into its core. Automotive Logistics talks to head of logistics and production control, Peter Koltai, about the evolution of the OEM’s first standalone factory outside Europe The 70km drive from Puebla to San José Chiapa takes ...
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FeatureVolkswagen introduces ‘ride-along platform’ to improve logistics
Volkswagen has introduced a new handling system to support sequenced parts picking at its Wolfsburg plant in a move that should improve picking accuracy while boosting the ergonomics of the operation for its staff.Up to now, workers at the site have had to manoeuvre heavy trolleys when gathering together materials ...
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FeatureChina conference: catching up with digital and automation trends
Steve Dyer, from Bain & Company, said China had a long way to go in catching up to the US and European productivityDespite China’s reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse, filling the world’s homes and stores with products ‘made in China’, rising labour and production costs are increasingly a competitive ...
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Volkswagen Depot Kassel part 3 : Saving space to grow
Big Data and broader technological advances will play an important role in future parts procurement and logistics at Depot KasselDr Claus Wriebe tells Christopher Ludwig about inventory reduction strategies that will keep Kassel at the centre of Volkswagen’s parts supply chain for years to comeFor years, Volkswagen’s OTC in ...
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Volkswagen Depot Kassel part 2: Mitten in Europa
Pictured are the 420,000 sq.m set of OTC buildings in Baunatal, with part of the Kassel plant in the foregroundAs reflected in its main location, Depot Kassel plays a central role in the Volkswagen Group’s global service parts strategy, requiring flexibility as well as a high level of automation.Kassel/Baunatal ...
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FeatureVolkswagen Depot Kassel part 1 : The beating heart of service parts
Dr Claus Wriebe has been working in Volkswagen's spare parts logistics for more than 14 years, and took over as head of Depot Kassel in early 2014In a three-part report Automotive Logistics explores the scale and importance of the Volkswagen Group's colossal parts operations, centred around Kassel, GermanyManaging service ...