Watch: Magna International's Bridget Grewal on returnable packaging, phytosanitary risks and advanced tracking Bridget Grewal, director, packaging continuous improvement at Magna International, discusses circularity in packaging, different methods of tracking shipments and reducing phytosanitary risks in the supply chain. Automotive Logistics
Sponsored Navigating the EV transition: Building better and more flexible supply chains The uneven adoption of electric vehicles worldwide is adding complexity to automotive supply chains, meaning carmakers are seeking comprehensive logistics support, says DP World’s David D’Annunzio. Automotive Logistics
Ceva invests millions into battery logistics centres in Europe Ceva Logistics is launching a reverse logistics service for the recycling and reuse of lithium-ion batteries in Europe and building a network of 15 battery logistics centres across ten countries by 2027. Marcus Williams
Going green: Top 10 Red Sofa interviews on sustainability Experts share their insights into the industry's sustainable transition, discussing decarbonisation, diversity and data-driven decisions. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Kuehne+Nagel and Changan partner on EV battery and spare parts logistics for European aftermarket Kuehne+Nagel is set to deliver EV supply chain support for Changan in Europe, focusing on spare parts and end-of-life battery logistics. Megan Kelly
Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK is getting ready to launch its first European recycling factory in the UK Toyota is launching is European recycling initiative in the UK with the launch of its Toyota Circular Factory at the Burnaston plant in Q3 this year, which will supply 120,000 recycled parts to the aftermarket. Marcus Williams
How Europe’s automotive supply chain is embracing digitalisation, collaboration and sustainability to drive agility and long-term success European OEMs, tier-suppliers and LSPs are co-creating smarter supply chains with digital tools, data sharing and decarbonisation strategies. At Automotive Logistics & supply Chain Europe 2025, they shared their exclusive insights, strategies, and advice. Megan Kelly
Audi and FAW start production of Q6L e-tron in Changchun supported by sustainable automated logistics and production Audi FAW NEV will manufacture mid-sized and full-sized PPE vehicles at the new factory, which has annual capacity for 150,000 vehicles and the batteries to power them Marcus Williams
JLR leads logistics innovation with closed-loop seat foam recycling, advancing circular economy principles through the automotive supply chain JLR is transforming automotive logistics with closed-loop seat foam recycling. Through partnerships and innovation, it is advancing a circular economy, cutting emissions, and securing sustainable supply chains for luxury vehicles. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Comau developing automated battery disassembly processes for end-of-life batteries as part of EU Reinforce sustainability project Comau is developing dismantling technology for recycling end-of-life batteries and stationary packs as part of EU’s Reinforce sustainability project. Marcus Williams
BMW’s sustainable packaging solutions for overseas component shipping: when cardboard is worth more than gold In the automotive industry, it’s not just about propulsion and driving dynamics. Sometimes, it’s the subtle things that make a difference – especially when it comes to sustainability. Here’s the story of a cardboard box that goes on a world tour. Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
Stellantis and B-Parts distribute Sustainera reconditioned service parts in North America Stellantis has expanded its remanufactured service parts range in North America, now offering 1m reconditioned parts across 35 product lines. This expansion, launched six months ago in partnership with B-Parts, aims to provide faster shipping, a six-month warranty, and lower-cost alternatives to new parts. Marcus Williams
BMW focuses on a secondary first process in material sourcing to make its vehicles sustainable says Roberto Rossetti BMW’s vice-president of engineering Roberto Rossetti explains the carmaker’s innovative and sustainable approach to recycling production materials to solve the problem of scarce resources, volatile commodity prices and geopolitical disruption to the supply chain Ilkhan Ozsevim
Aligning logistics partnerships and ROI with sustainability Six months after the 2024 Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe conference in Bonn, Germany, we look at the output of a sustainability workshop involving logistics leaders at JLR and Mercedes-Benz and explore the action points needed to scale green logistics, including collaboration and co-investment. We also look forward to what needs to be done by the 2025 event. Megan Kelly
BMW, Ford trial 3D printing automotive parts using recycled fishing nets BMW, Ford, Daimler-Benz and other OEMs have been working with UK-based firm Fishy Filaments to trial the use of 3D printing materials made from recycled end-of-life fishing nets. Megan Kelly
BMW’s Hendrik Lang on achieving sustainable automotive supply chains Hendrik Lang, BMW’s senior vice-president of supply chain strategy and sustainability, attended London Climate Action Week in June. He talks BMW’s successes with carbon contracts, collaboration and convincing suppliers of sustainability’s benefits. Report by Ilkhan Ozsevim Ilkhan Ozsevim
DHL to provide EV warehousing for Chery brands DHL Supply Chain has partnered with Chinese-owned Omoda and Jaecoo on a three-year warehousing contract that will enable specialist storage of parts and components including batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Megan Kelly
Red Sofa Interview: JLR’s Levent Yuksel on scaling green logistics solutions At Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe 2024 in Bonn, Germany, Levent Yuksel, freight operations director at JLR sits down on the Red Sofa to discuss how we can scale green logistics solutions by working in partnership.
Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Europe: Recap blog Follow our recap blog below for the key highlights and knowledge shared at ALSC Europe 2024. Even though the event is over, the insight doesn’t stop, and we will continue to update this blog with the most valuable insights, data and quotes from automotive experts discussing how to deliver a competitive edge, through reducing complexity, increasing flexibility and maximising capacity. Jump to key highlights:Dr Michael Nikolaides, BMW on market volatilityMartina Graser, Ford Europe on securing ocean-based capacityIza Kalinska, JLR, Sabine Isenbort, Ford Europe and Sonia Santos, Bosch on the Red SofaLevent Yuksel, JLR Red Sofa Interview and article on ‘win win’ opportunities for collaborationJean-Marc Carlicchi, Renault Group on the ‘new never-normal’Jean Christophe Deville, Toyota Motor Europe Red Sofa Interview and article on advantageous partnershipsOliver Bronder, VW Group Logistics keynote panel Automotive Logistics
Tata’s Agratas confirms location of UK gigafactory for anchor client JLR Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, will build Britain’s biggest battery manufacturing facility at the Gravity Smart Campus near Bridgwater, Somerset. Megan Kelly
VW Group UK partners with Ecobat to recycle EV batteries VW Group UK has signed an agreement with battery recycling firm Ecobat to collect and recycle its EV batteries and close the loop in the carmaker’s circular energy economy. Megan Kelly
GM appoints ex-Tesla executive to new vice-president of batteries role GM has appointed Kurt Kelty, a battery expert and former Tesla executive, to its new role of vice-president of batteries Megan Kelly
Red Sofa Interview: VW logistics using rail and digital twins to boost sustainable operations in US and Mexico Christoph Hartmann, head of Transport Networks, VW Group Logistics is using digital twins to help improve inbound logistics, and is adapting lessons learned in Europe to boost digitalisation and sustainability.
PowerCo and Umicore JV Ionway appoints Philip Fimmers as supply chain head Ionway, a battery materials producer, has appointed Philip Fimmers as its global supply chain manager. Megan Kelly
ECG publishes guidance for reporting supply chain emissions The Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), along with the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and a group of OEMs, has published the first methodology to calculate and report on automotive supply chain emissions. Megan Kelly
Stellantis and CATL sign MoU for European LFP battery supply Stellantis has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL for the local supply of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells and modules to power the carmaker’s European EV production. Megan Kelly
Insights from ECG conference: steering sustainability in European vehicle logistics and beyond Automotive logistics leaders prioritised action over measurement for carbon emissions at this year’s conference held by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG). Regulatory support, tech diversity, collaboration and trust were flagged as key actions for long-term success. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Gestamp joins Catena-X to push digital and decarbonisation strategies Gestamp has joined the Catena-X data-sharing platform, which is designed to increase visibility in the supply chain and improve the flow of parts and materials. Marcus Williams
Volvo Cars makes Francesca Gamboni head of Supply Chain Volvo Cars has appointed Francesca Gamboni as its head of Procurement and Supply Chain team, effective from October 16th. Megan Kelly
JLR to use alternative fuel and EV transport fleet in UK in contract renewal with DHL The carmaker’s UK road freight vehicle fleet is to be replaced with over 220 bio-fuel and electric HGVs by April 2024. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Steel goes green as Gestamp and ArcelorMittal reach circular supply chain deal for scrap The collaboration will advance the circular supply of recycled steel to boost sustainability for both companies and the automotive industry Ilkhan Ozsevim
Leon Van der Merwe is VP of circular economy in Europe at Toyota; JC Deville takes the reins as VP of supply chain Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has reshuffled the roles of Leon Van der Merwe and Jean-Christophe Deville in an executive restructuring, with Deville set to lead the carmaker’s logistics and supply chain management function. Megan Kelly
Transform, connect and flex: JLR’s end-to-end supply chain upgrade Executive director of industrial operations, Barbara Bergmeier, has unique oversight of JLR’s production, procurement and supply chain – and she’s using it to upgrade plants, systems, skills and supplier relations as the carmaker gears up to build more electric vehicles (EVs), increase flexibility and cut emissions Christopher Ludwig
Renault plugs car making into the industrial metaverse Renault’s digitalisation of manufacturing and logistics processes has grown into what it describes as an ‘industrial metaverse’, bringing greater transparency and efficiency to the thousands of steps needed to supply parts and actually make a vehicle. Peter Murphy
BMW invests in local EV battery pack assembly for Hungary plant The carmaker is increasing investment at its new plant in Debrecen, Hungary to include onsite assembly of batteries with the aim of reducing logistics costs and supply chain complexity Christopher Ludwig
The Future Is Neutral seeks to create a totally circular automotive supply chain The Future Is Neutral is a newly-formed entity separate to but invested in by the Renault Group and partners, aiming to completely recycle every element of vehicles. Working directly on recycling using current technologies, it will also research new methods to grow a €2.3 billion ($2.26m) cumulative turnover. Hazel Southwell
