All north america articles – Page 36
-
Feature
Down Mexico way...and back again
*This article is part of a special focus on Mexico. For other features related to the automotive supply chain in Mexico click here; for more on finished vehicle logistics in Mexico click here.In the second part of this special Mexico report, we explore how huge amounts of automotive material crossing ...
-
Feature
Special report: Many shades of Mexico
Logistics is part of what has helped carmakers succeed in Mexico’s historically difficult economy, but will it be an advantage or pitfall in future?Reporting from south of the borderThis special multi-part report, by editor Christopher Ludwig, explores Mexico’s historic and developing supply chain as well as the logistics challenges connected ...
-
Feature
Keep coming up with the goods in the UK
Vehicle production in the UK is healthy, but requires agile logistics for its global and local supply chains and these can only evolve with investment in skills training and IT.Christopher Ludwig contributed to this reportFollowing the hard economic knocks felt throughout Europe since 2008, the UK has certainly surprised many ...
-
Feature
Racking 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 ...
-
Feature
Moving 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 ...
-
Feature
Realities 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 ...
-
Feature
Russia at a standstill
The market continues to fall, while transport capacity is exiting the market at an alarming rate. Even with prospects for long-term growth, the lack of investment could mean Russia will struggle to move the goods again when customers return to show rooms. We report from the Automotive Logistics Russia conference ...
-
Feature
Ro-ro providers dealing with fragmented trade flows
Ocean carriers providing services for vehicle import and export to Russia have a lot more to think about in the current climate. Global trade routes continue to fragment, there is a growth in intra-regional supply and vessel sizes are increasing as the industry seeks greater efficiencies by moving larger volumes. ...
-
Feature
Mack upgrades Macungie material handling and sub-assembly
Mack Trucks is investing $26m to upgrade its Macungie Cab & Vehicle Assembly facility in Pennsylvania including an overhaul of its sub-assembly and material handling processes to make the delivery of trucks to customers more efficient.The truckmaker, which his part of the Volvo Group, will also be installing new equipment ...
-
Feature
Ford works with rail providers for Transit shipments
Ford has developed a rail car with some of North America’s leading rail providers for delivery of its new full-size Transit van in region. The rail cars have an elevated lower deck able to accommodate the van, which measures almost 2.8m in height and is therefore too tall to fit ...
-
Feature
A star still on the rise in Brazil
Toyota is a fast-growing player in the huge but difficult Brazilian market. Growth has helped the carmaker apply more lean logistics principles to its vehicle distribution.The inclusion of Brazil in the BRIC group of emerging nations more than a decade ago put the country of more than 200m inhabitants in ...
-
Feature
The 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 ...
-
Feature
Sean 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 ...
-
Feature
NYK adds services from Jaxport to Far East
From this month NYK Line is expanding its ro-ro service to and from the US East Coast port of Jacksonville (Jaxport), increasing sailings to the Middle East to three per month and offering wider connections to Asia.The newly expanded service now offers connections to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Hong ...
-
Feature
Logistics providers recognised with Glovis awards
Hyundai Glovis, which provides services for Kia and Hyundai, has recognised its finished vehicle transport providers in North America for services with this year’s Club Elite awards. Glovis said it based the selection on results in transit performance, damage prevention and customer services.Amongst those companies recognised were car haulier Proficient ...
-
Feature
McClelland widens responsibility at UTi Americas
Supply chain services provider UTi has appointed Mike McClelland as senior vice-president of Contract Logistics and Distribution responsible for its Americas operations. The new role for expands on McClelland’s previous responsibility for UTi's distribution business in North America."Mike has successfully led our North American distribution business through a transition from ...
-
Feature
Lázaro Cárdenas to benefit from government investment
In Mexico, Raúl Murrieta Cummings, the undersecretary for infrastructure at the Transport and Communications Ministry (SCT), has announced investment of more than $153m to increase capacity at the finished vehicles terminal at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas. The investment is part of the state of Michoacán New Plan.The wider plan ...
-
Feature
NYK expands Mexico business with CSI stake
NYK has taken 30% ownership of Mexican finished vehicle logistics provider, CSI Group (Consorcio de Servicios Internacionales). NYK will be providing inland logistics and ocean services in cooperation with the company. The Mexican provider, which was established in 2005, provides inland haulage for vehicles as well as port terminal services ...
-
Feature
Michigan DoT commits $10m to Detroit tunnel project
A project to build a new, larger train tunnel under the Detroit River able to handle double deck container traffic, as well as finished vehicle shipments, has taken a step closer to realisation with the approval of a $10m contribution by the Michigan Department of Transportation.A report in the Detroit ...
-
Feature
The 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 ...