Tag: kaizen and continuous improvement

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“Do it right and in the right time,” Nissan’s De la Torre says, as he details the four-pillar strategy for real-time resilience across the Americas

Nissan’s supply chain playbook for real-time resilience

From regulatory risk to cyberattacks, Nissan’s senior director for supply in the Americas outlines how clarity, collaboration and digital readiness are redefining what it means to act with purpose – right and on time.

Christopher Ludwig

Emily Uwemedimo

VW Group Logistics launches Venice port terminal to optimise exports, reduce emissions and improve resilience across vehicle logistics

Volkswagen Group Logistics will expand its port network for finished vehicles of the Volkswagen Group with a terminal at Venice port in Italy, which will reduce lead times for many plants, increase rail transport, and shorten shipping times with Asia.

Christopher Ludwig

Megan Kelly

In the latest management change from Stellantis, current COO Antonio Filosa has been promoted to CEO

The resignation of previous CEO Carlos Tavares kickstarted a wave of changes in Stellantis’ boardroom. The appointment of a new CEO could point to a return to stability, as Antonio Filosa brings decades of experience from across several Stellantis brands to the role.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Toyota tops supplier relations index as Ford and Stellantis continue to decline amid rising cost and trust challenges

Plante Moran experts in supplier relations speak to Automotive Logistics about this year’s North American Automotive OEM Supplier Working Relations Index study, and why Toyota keep rising while Ford keeps falling.

Megan Kelly

From chatbots to control towers: How OEMs and suppliers are using AI to strengthen automotive supply chains and manage risk

The use of digital strategies in automotive logistics is becoming ever more necessary to mitigate risks in an increasingly uncertain global market. With natural disasters, shaky economies, the global pandemic and economic trade on uneven ground due to tariffs and trade wars, the need to plan, predict and prevent risk is more pressing than ever to ensure a resilient supply network.

Megan Kelly

Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain ASEAN to debut in Singapore with senior OEMs, suppliers and tech leaders shaping regional strategy

ALSC ASEAN debuts in Singapore on 28 Oct, uniting OEMs and suppliers to shape the region’s supply chain and EV strategy.

Automotive Logistics

Artificially intelligent: Top 10 Red Sofa interviews on supply chain digitalisation

Industry experts from GM, Nissan, BMW and more have joined us on the Red Sofa to give their opinions on digitalisation in the automotive supply chain. Check out our list of key takeaways, which will be updated as more expertise is shared.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Red Sofa interview | Nissan’s Ben Shain on optimising delivery performance and carrier collaboration

Ben Shain, senior manager of vehicle logistics at Nissan North America, shares how the carmaker is driving performance improvements across its outbound logistics network by enhancing pipeline visibility, improving forecasting, and working in close collaboration with its carrier partners.

Red Sofa interview | Nissan’s Todd Myers on optimising FVL through data, digital tools and holistic planning

Todd Myers, director of finished vehicle logistics North America at Nissan, shares how the carmaker is continuously optimising logistics with data-led tools, system-wide planning and a focus on agility, skills and visibility.

Red Sofa interview | GM’s Amy Paulsen shares how lessons from EV start-ups are accelerating agility, innovation and infrastructure across GM’s FVL

Amy Paulsen, director of finished vehicle logistics at GM, joins the Red Sofa at FVL North America to discuss how the company is modernising its logistics systems, digitalising its networks and strengthening EV infrastructure to support its growing electric vehicle portfolio. Drawing on her experience in EV start-ups, she highlights how GM is applying new thinking and technologies to build a more agile and resilient supply chain.

Reimagining Finished Vehicle Logistics: Highlights from FVL North America 2025

Watch all the highlights from #FVLNA 2025.

Reimagining Finished Vehicle Logistics: Key Themes from Day 1 at FVL North America 2025

Christopher Ludwig, chief content officer at Automotive Logistics, wraps up the first full day of sessions at Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2025. From regional strategies to VIN-level visibility, he reflects on how the sector is reimagining itself in the face of continuous disruption, evolving partnerships and rising quality expectations.

FVL NA 2025 - “Get ready to re-imagine logistics: Creating a faster, agile, more competitive vehicle supply chain”

Welcome to the recap blog from Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2025, which took place at Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach, California, on 8-10 April. The conference brought over 400 delegates and leaders, and featured discussion on real-world issues and offering innovative and implementable solutions in the inbound logistics, transportation, supply chain strategy and much more. While the conference has ended, our coverage has not - keep following this recap blog for more insights and interviews from the event, and register now for next year here!

Anushka Dixit

Emily Uwemedimo

Megan Kelly

Red Sofa interview | Peter Hörndlein on how VW is building a more flexible, sustainable and future-ready vehicle logistics network

Peter Hörndlein outlines VW’s flexible logistics strategy, from tackling disruption to investing in sustainable transport solutions.

Daimler Truck wins VDA logistics award for use of electric trucks across inbound logistics

Daimler Truck took top prize for scaling the use of electrified trucks in inbound logistics for German plants through its ‘Electrify Inbound Logistics’ project.

Megan Kelly

Why regionalisation, digital innovation and sustainability are the key to BMW San Luis Potosí’s resilient supply chain

BMW’s San Luis Potosí embodies a forward-looking approach to supply chain resilience, leveraging regional suppliers, smart supply chains and sustainability. Automotive Logistics explores how the plant tackles logistical challenges to set industry benchmarks.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

How the automotive industry is tracking and reducing logistics and supply chain emissions

As global standards shift and geopolitical factors influence logistics, OEMs and suppliers must implement more sophisticated tracking methods to comply with emissions mandates. From the European Union’s stringent policies to China’s evolving standards and the uncertainty in US regulations, understanding the latest emissions reporting frameworks and digital solutions is crucial for a sustainable and competitive automotive logistics sector.

Megan Kelly

Automotive OEMs are slashing costs amid margin squeeze and market shifts in 2025

The automotive supply chain is in constant flux, and this year it’s facing many growing challenges. Following on from our reporting of key automotive logistics trends for 2025, we are diving deeper into the cost pressures OEMs are facing, and how they are cost-cutting across their operations and supply chain to reduce the financial pressure.

Daniel Harrison

Global automotive industry shifts intensify challenges for logistics providers

The automotive supply chain is facing many hurdles this year, as set out in our key automotive logistics trends for 2025. Here, we look deeper at the fragmented nature of the industry, structural changes in flows and demand, and the effects of job losses in the second part of our series.

Daniel Harrison

How diversity of thought turns challenges into competitive gains

As the automotive industry navigates nearshoring shifts and the rise of electric vehicles, diversity emerges as a strategic advantage. By fostering inclusivity, cross-cultural collaboration and equitable talent pipelines, leaders like Harry Kwakye Davies highlight how diverse perspectives transform challenges into opportunities.

Emily Uwemedimo

Top automotive logistics Red Sofa insights of 2024: Sustainability, digitalisation, nearshoring and robotics strategies from leading OEMs

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking back at some of our best Red Sofa interviews from this year, where we spoke to experts across the globe about automotive logistics and strategies for success in the supply chain.

Megan Kelly

GM’s strategy to tackle EV logistics challenges: Digitalisation, nearshoring, and improving supplier relations

Strengthening supplier relationships, nearshoring strategies and digitalisation are enabling GM to enhance supply chain resilience across North America. From securing critical EV components to optimising cross-border logistics, the carmaker is fostering innovation and operational efficiency amid growing challenges.

Megan Kelly

Sergio Gutierrez has moved to take up the newly created role of chief operations officer at Glovis America

Logistics veteran Sergio Gutierrez has moved to Glovis America as chief operations officer, a newly created role at the finished vehicle logistics provider

Marcus Williams

Better visibility supported by digital technology makes for a more resilient supply chain at Brose Group

Uncloaking blind spots in the automotive supply chain requires a continuous and collaborative strategy aimed at greater scrutiny of inventory management, transport and manufacturing processes, supported by the latest digital tools, according to Agnieszka Kubiak, senior vice-president logistics at Brose Group.

Megan Kelly

Marcus Williams

ALSC Mexico 2024 recap blog: Discussing nearshoring, digital transformation and cross-border strategies

The tenth Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico conference has wrapped up, after industry leaders, logistics experts and automotive pioneers gathered to discuss the latest trends, challenges and innovations transforming Mexico’s automotive supply chain. That transformation comes at an uncertain time for the North American supply chain, with shifting global dynamics and a pivotal US election.

Suppliers Partnership for the Environment report offers guidance on recycling plastic dunnage

The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) has published a new report in collaboration with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) to provide information and practical guidance on increasing the recycling of plastic packaging, including internal dunnage, used to ship parts in returnable containers.

Automotive Logistics

Stellantis, GKN Automotive partner with logistics providers to mitigate disruption

At Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global, logistics leaders from Stellantis and GKN Automotive shared they are partnering with providers and suppliers to de-risk the supply chain.

Megan Kelly

AI, logistics automation will play central role in reducing Stellantis manufacturing costs

At its Factory Booster Day, chief manufacturing officer Arnaud Deboeuf and process engineering lead Jean-Christophe Marchal reveal AI projects with partners for digital twins and retrofitting equipment, including for plant logistics.

Christopher Ludwig

APM Terminals boosts vehicle throughput at Pipavav

APM Terminals has recorded almost 4,000 vehicles processed through the Indian port of Pipavav for the month of May, and the highest number of rail wagons handled at the port in a single month. The terminal processed 40 newly modified goods (NMG) rakes, up on its previous record of 30 in March this year.

Marcus Williams

DHL Supply Chain shakes up its global leadership team

DHL Supply Chain has announced changes to its global leadership team with the appointment of Patrick Kelleher to CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America, replacing Scott Sureddin who will retire from DHL Group on at the end of this year.

Marcus Williams

Maxime Picat, Stellantis talks strategy and influencing supply chain and manufacturing design

The chief purchasing and supply chain officer, who leads all procurement functions including logistics, gives an exclusive interview on improving supplier relations, planning for the future of the battery supply chain, the growing influence of supply chain costs and localisation, and why Stellantis needs to ensure it has access to critical logistics capacity.

Megan Kelly

Gestamp redefines supply chain management for industry 4.0

Under the guidance of Diego Mallada, chief information officer for digitalisation, Gestamp is emerging as a leader in integrating digital networks and AI across its supply chain. Gestamp, an expert in metal automotive components and body-in-white, is revolutionising automotive supply chain management through advanced industry 4.0 strategies, emphasising federated networks and superior data quality.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Toyota cultures ambassadors for its digital strategy

The automotive supply chain has become more complex since Covid, demanding from carmakers a more cross-functional strategy supported by the latest digital technology. At Toyota Motor Europe (TME) it also means making its 2,000-strong supply chain team ambassadors for that strategy.

Marcus Williams

UK supply chain strengthened by EU exports, but rules of origin risks remain for EVs

The EU remains the UK’s largest export market, accounting for 59% of all British car shipments, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), but risks such as looming Rules of Origin tariffs threaten future growth.

Megan Kelly

First order of business at Toyota

Toyota Logistics Services is tackling capacity constraints in the export of its vehicles from the US with a new process to improve sequencing at the ports. Missy Pearlman, general manager of the business, talks about the new system, TLS’ supply chain alignment and why a culture of respect is central to the carmaker’s future

Marcus Williams

Getting the teams up to speed at Toyota

Restocking US dealer vehicle inventories remains a priority for carmakers after three years of supply chain disruption. That requires a talented workforce that can make and move the vehicles, and troubleshoot with accuracy any holdups in the process. Toyota is tackling that problem with the latest digital tools from Microsoft

Marcus Williams

Setting new standards for sustainable automotive packaging

Packaging experts from GM, Magna and Orbis discuss implementing new guidelines for packaging and strategies to improve recycling and circularity in packaging materials.

The benefits of a better pack mentality

As a members of the Supplier Partnership for the Environment association, carmaker GM and parts supplier Magna International have been helping to push forward a more sustainable and cost-effective use of packaging for parts shipments

Marcus Williams

No more rough estimates

Toyota has been working to improve transparency in the delivery of its vehicles and provide its dealers with clear and concise information, but that is not all Project ETA promises says Kevin Austin, vice-president of demand and supply management at the carmaker

Marcus Williams

Sustainable supply chains make for sustainable business models

Renault Group’s mid-term and long-term carbon reduction targets will be a challenge for supply chain and logistics, but the carmaker is working actively on projects for alternative fuels, transport innovations and new partnerships in the circular economy.

Christopher Ludwig

Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 4 – Tier Suppliers on the Road to Recovery

The Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts. In Episode 4, we discuss the key areas that suppliers especially need to consider as the automotive industry stirs back into action, including supply chain and logistics processes, sourcing considerations, digital tools and collaboration.

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

Marcus Williams

Christopher Ludwig