Tag: plant logistics

This site is showing all Articles related to this Tag: plant logistics

Nissan to close CIVAC Plant in Mexico, consolidating production at Aguascalientes

Nissan to close Mexico plant in logistics and production realignment

Vehicle production from the plant in Cuernavaca, close to Mexico City, will be consolidated at Aguascalientes by March 2026 as Nissan targets leaner, more efficient operations and logistics globally.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Emily Uwemedimo

Nissan line integration in Thailand will be ready by September 2025

Restructuring of plant operations sees relocation of vehicle assembly and lines repurposed for logistics operations for domestic and regional markets.

Marcus Williams

Japan's auto industry sees increase in robot installations

An 11% increase in automated manufacturing robots was driven by diversification in drivetrains and wider commitment to EV assembly, IFR reports

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Maruti Suzuki starts rail operations at Manesar in-plant siding

The project marks the OEM's second commitment to rail logistics over the last two years. With this new addition, total rail dispatch could reach 750,000 units annually.

Marcus Williams

A platform built for a smarter, faster automotive logistics community

Welcome to the new Automotive Logistics experience

We’ve redesigned the Automotive Logistics website to deliver sharper insight, faster access and a smoother, more intuitive experience at a time when you need it most.

Emily Uwemedimo

GM commits $4bn to US, moves assembly from Mexico and Canada

GM will invest $4bn to expand vehicle production in Michigan, Kansas and Tennessee, shifting models from Mexico and Canada in a move that highlights localisation, EV growth and trade policy anticipation.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

John Godfrey at Pirelli Tire on incorporating next-gen digital management systems

Upgrades focusing on cost control, improved ROI and predictive capabilities are at the core of Pirelli Tire North America’s digitalisation strategy. John Godfrey takes to the Red Sofa to explan the supplier’s adoption of advanced data collection and management processes.

Nissan and Stellantis supplier Marelli files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US

The tier one supplier confirms it has applied for bankruptcy to continue operations while it looks to secure additional funding or buyout.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

A shortage of rare earth magnets caused by limited Chinese exports has potential to disrupt global supply chains

Rare earth magnet shortage disrupts global auto production

China produces almost 70% of rare earth magnets but exports are now tied up in lengthy license applications, prompting supply and shortage concerns.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Maruti Suzuki moves more than 500,000 outbound vehicles by rail in FY2024-2025

Maruti Suzuki moves half a million vehicles on Indian Railways network in last year

Maruti Suzuki has moved more than 500,000 finished vehicles by rail in the last financial year, almost a quarter of its total 2024 outbound volumes.

Marcus Williams

Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025

The Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025, in partnership with DP World, explores automotive inbound logistics, diving deep into the pertinent issues around tariffs, costs, digitalisation, and investment. Join the survey, win a prize, and gain access to vital insights on the challenges, constraints, and opportunities the sector faces.Take the survey

Seat’s logistics director Enric Brau wants to inspire boldness in digitalisation and electrification

Enric Brau, who replaced Enric Martí as logistics director six months ago, is building on Seat’s foundation in logistics digitalisation, automation and AI to expand EV output, be more resilient and meet changing customer demands in the supply chain.

Christopher Ludwig

BMW’s Debrecen plant accelerates EV production with just-in-sequence delivery and virtual assembly planning

BMW’s Debrecen plant is using digitalisation and just-in-sequence delivery to speed towards series production of the iX3.

Megan Kelly

Consolidation in the Toyota Automated Logistics Group as Bastian takes over viastore North America

Bastian Solutions has incorporated the business of viastore in North America to strengthen material handling equipment services as part of the Toyota Automated Logistics Group.

Marcus Williams

Orbis moves into repurposed plant in Greenville to make reusuable totes and pallets for automotive customers

Packaging provider Orbis has opened a 39,000 sq.m production facility in Greenville, Texas to make reusable totes and pallets, incluidng its full range of products for automotive industry

Marcus Williams

Audi’s supply chain in 2033 and beyond: Designed to combine logistics, automation and people

Dieter Braun and his team know exactly where they want Audi’s supply chain to be over the next decade, even if technology and conditions will vary by plant and region.

Christopher Ludwig

Audi’s supply chain organisation: Logistics and the 360factory strategy

Under Dieter Braun, Audi’s Supply Chain function is highly integrated with objectives closely aligned to the carmaker’s 360factory strategy, including for sustainability, cost control and flexibility.

Christopher Ludwig

BMW’s hydrogen strategy embraces a technology-agnostic approach to reshape automotive logistics

With increasing regulatory pressures and the urgent need to decarbonise operations, automotive leaders are exploring a range of technologies to future-proof their fleets. BMW Group’s latest move – introducing its first hydrogen-powered trucks as part of the European H2Haul pilot project – demonstrates how traditional logistics models are evolving. While electric trucks have been at the forefront of fleet decarbonisation, BMW’s investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology offers another versatile, scalable alternative for long-haul freight that warrants close analysis.

Emily Uwemedimo

Dieter Braun on how Audi is turning supply chain motion into progress

In the first part of a special interview series, read how Audi is confronting challenges in the automotive market with an emphasis on a holistic supply chain function that makes a positive contribution to the carmaker’s production and products. Head of supply chain Dieter Braun reveals how logistics can add value across the order-to-delivery process.

Christopher Ludwig

Carmakers working with robot suppliers to test flexible humanoids for lineside logistics operations

Carmakers are bringing humanoids onto the factory floor and using the latest software to help them function and learn in complex lineside environments.

Marcus Williams

How smarter packaging design is becoming a competitive advantage in autonomous automotive logistics

Packaging has historically been a siloed aspect of the automotive supply chain that hasn’t evolved in pace with the rest of the industry, but evolution from the status quo could be forced to take place, as existing packaging is not compatible with logistics automation. Automotive Logistics explores why the industry needs to start viewing packaging as a strategic function, and how it could give OEMs a competitive advantage through increasing efficiency and sustainability.

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

Barbara Bergmeier steps down as executive director of industrial operations at JLR, replaced by Nigel Blenkinsop

[Updated February 5] Barbara Bergmeier has stepped down as executive director of industrial operations at JLR to be replaced by Nigel Blenkinsop, who will continue her leadership focused on maintaining a robust and sustainable end-to-end supply chain.

Marcus Williams

Hyundai boosts factory automation through partnership with tech provider Nvidia

Hyundai is working with Nvidia to apply AI technologies across its operations and optimise manufacturing and logistics.

Marcus Williams

Kjell Gruner takes over as head of VW Group of America; Henning Habicht to lead operations at Chattanooga

Kjell Gruner is now president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), while Henning Habicht has been promoted to lead operations at the carmaker’s Chattanooga plant.

Marcus Williams

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

Mercedes-Benz Trucks delivers first eActros 600 units to transport customers and announces upgrades to Wörth plant charging infrastructure

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will provide eActros 600 trucks to its own logistics providers from Q2 next year and is supporting emission-free inbound logistics with upgraded charging infrastructure at the Wörth plant in Germany

Marcus Williams

Red Sofa interview | John Torres on how Mercedes-Benz uses data quality to drive AI-powered efficiency

John Torres took to the Red Sofa at ALSC Digital Strategies Europe to discuss how Mercedes-Benz prioritises data quality as a strategic necessity rather than a supplementary function. By monitoring real-time metrics such as data completeness, transparency, and analysis, the organisation ensures that its processes are precise and aligned with business objectives. This foundational step underpins the integration of AI and analytics across the company’s operations.

Red Sofa interview | BMW’s Carolin Richter on the OEM’s humanoid robots redefining automotive logistics

At ALSC Digital Strategies Europe in Munich, BMW’s Carolin Richter, head of next generation robotics, spoke about humanoid and multi-purpose robots capable of automating intricate logistics tasks that were previously deemed impossible.

BMW will use hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks for in-plant logistics at Regensburg from 2026

As part of its sustainability efforts, BMW will transition its in-plant logistics at Regensburg to hydrogen fuel cell technology, powering its tugger trains and forklift trucks. This move, under the iFactory initiative, aims to streamline operations and support the company’s carbon-neutral goals by reducing reliance on electric battery systems.

Marcus Williams

Daimler Truck is making the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 at Wörth assembly plant in Germany with inbound parts from Gaggenau, Kassel and Mannheim

Daimler Truck is using flexible assembly, inbound electric trucks and clean manufacturing to make the long-haul Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 at its Wörth plant in Germany.

Marcus Williams

Failure to find viable rescue plan means Audi’s troubled plant in Brussels will close in February 2025

Audi’s troubled Brussels plant which makes the Q8 e-tron will close in February next year after the carmaker’s failure to find a substitute investor.

Marcus Williams

Low electric vehicle demand in Europe forces Ford to cut working hours at Cologne EV plant

Ford of Europe is cutting working hours at its carbon-neutral electric vehicle plant in Cologne because lower-than-expected demand.

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.

BMW using cloud-based guidance system for complex in-plant logistics at Regensburg assembly plant

BMW is using a cloud-based traffic control system to guide the 140 smart transport robots (STRs) and 50 tugger trains it uses to deliver parts to the assembly line at its Regensburg assembly plant in Germany. The carmaker said the BMW Automated Transport Services (ATS) system is ensuring optimal route guidance and on-time provisioning of parts to the assembly line according to delivery priority.

Marcus Williams

A digital transformation at Seat Martorell

Seat is working to enhance its Martorell assembly plant and integrating advanced digital technologies in what it describes as the biggest transformation in its history. Automotive Logistics talks to its logistics director Enric Martí

Marcus Williams

Stellantis moves supply chain and logistics from purchasing to manufacturing in leadership reshuffle

The carmaker has announced executive changes that include the supply chain and logistics organisation separating from purchasing and reporting to manufacturing chief officer Arnaud Deboeuf. The move, which follows more recent alignment between logistics and manufacturing, aims to break down silos, increase shared technology and flexibility across operations.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Christopher Ludwig

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

Shopping and shipping with Volkswagen in Emden

Volkswagen’s Mirko Bührmann appears to have a clear and simple order. The logistics planner has only written down three things on his shopping list: Nutella, two jars, Mett (raw pork), five portions, and hard cheese, also five portions. However, the ’supermarket’ Bührmann is shopping in is in fact his professional home – VW’s assembly plant in Emden, northwest Germany. This is where he coordinates orders for small parts.

Timo Gilgen

Marcus Williams

Antolin, Gestamp and Fersa embrace AI to transform industrial processes

Autoparts from Spain, a collaborative digital project among automotive suppliers that provides intelligence on the automotive equipment and components industry, reports that the radical transformation of the industry supported by artificial intelligence (AI), is providing opportunities for tier suppliers, with benefits already registered by members Antolin, Fersa Bearings and Gestamp.

Marcus Williams

BMW Group rotates logistics leads as Ulrich Wieland will lead in Spartanburg and Oliver Bilstein leads overseas supply

Dr Ulrich Wieland will lead logistics and production control for BMW’s Spartanburg plant, as Oliver Bilstein takes over overseas supply, responsible for consolidation and packaging across global kits and parts shipments.

Christopher Ludwig

BMW starts using autonomous platform truck for press tools and blanks

BMW has introduced an electric autonomous platform truck at its Regensburg production plant in Germany to move press tools and steel blanks. The truck can carry a payload of up to 55 tonnes. It is provided by equipment supplier Pefra and driven by autonomous technology provided by Aitonomi.

Marcus Williams

Automotive Logistics Systems and Software Survey 2024

As the automotive industry faces rising complexity and uncertainty across the inbound supply chain and the delivery of finished vehicles, all stakeholders are keen to accelerate digitalisation and leverage the best systems and software in automotive logistics.

Automotive Logistics

ALSC Digital Strategies North America: Recap blog

Follow our recap blog below for key highlights and knowledge shared at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2024, which focused on digitalising North America’s end-to-end automotive supply chain. Following the event in Nashville on 26-27 June, we will continue sharing news and features that relate to the speakers and companies involved in the event. Keep following the blog, as we will share videos straight from the main stage and the Red Sofa at the event!

Automotive Logistics

BMW’s Michael Nikolaides on a localised, digital supply chain

Dr Michael Nikolaides, senior vice-president, Production Network, Supply Chain Management and Logistics at BMW Group, talks to Automotive Logistics about making cross-functional decisions to make the OEM’s supply chain more localised, digitalised and efficient

Megan Kelly

Danny Auerswald returns to VW Saxony to oversee technology and logistics

From the beginning of July this year Danny Auerswald will take over as managing director of VW Saxony, a role that includes leadership of technology and logistics at the Zwickau, Chemnitz and Dresden plants. He will be effectively managing a production network that is currently 100% electric vehicle. Auerswald replaces Robert Janssen, who moves to lead production and product management at SAIC Volkswagen in Shanghai as executive vice-president.

Marcus Williams

Volvo Cars promotes Francesca Gamboni to chief supply chain officer, integrating procurement, manufacturing and supply chain

Francesca Gamboni has been named chief supply chain officer, and will have combined oversight of procurement, logistics and manufacturing, as Javier Varela leaves the OEM to join Rivian. The enhancement to Gamboni’s role is the latest change to Volvo’s supply chain and logistics management, including recent new additions to lead inbound and vehicle logistics.

Marcus Williams

Porsche boosts logistics efficiency at Zuffenhausen with MHP software

Porsche’s IT and process consulting subsidiary, MHP, is supplying the carmaker with a centralised fleet management system to control automated logistics at its Zuffenhausen assembly plant in Germany. Porsche said MHP FleetExecuter will help increase efficiency and flexibility in production at the plant.

Marcus Williams

BMW navigates the new ‘never normal’ in logistics

Emerging from four years of geopolitical and market volatility, many OEMs and logistics companies have had to adapt or die. BMW has transformed by installing several strategies, including its Programme Commission which brings production, finance, sales, and purchasing, and supply chain and logistics under one umbrella.

Megan Kelly

Mercedes-Benz looks at logistics uses for Apollo humanoid robots

Mercedes-Benz Group has signed a contract with robotics supplier Apptronik to look into applications for humanoid robots in the carmaker’s manufacturing facilities. The Apollo robots that Apptronik developed and unvieled last year are designed to operate in warehouses and manufacturing plants.

Marcus Williams

An end-to-end logistics mission at DP World

Bill Garrett, head of the automotive vertical at DP World, talks to Automotive Logistics about the company’s transition to become a global provider of end-to-end logistics services for the automotive industry at a time of disruption and opportunity

Marcus Williams

ALSC Digital Strategies North America conference launches in Nashville

Automotive Logistics is thrilled to announce the launch of an all-new event in the calendar for this year: ALSC Digital Strategies North America, the inaugural event in the region, taking place in Nashville, Tennesee, on June 26-27

Automotive Logistics

The quest for one source of truth in Volkswagen Group’s digital supply chain

Group Logistics is accelerating digitalisation, from cloud-based systems to vehicle logistics, with the aim of improving data quality and better leveraging visibility, insights and AI applications.

Christopher Ludwig

Auto1 Group rolls out Inform optimisation tools across European network

Used car trading platform Auto1 Group has expanded its agreement with Inform and is rolling out the logistics software specialist’s yard management and workshop optimisation systems across ten refurbishment locations in Europe.

Marcus Williams

Red Sofa Interview: VW Chattanooga is sharing EV logistics learnings with the VW Group

Watch Paulo Monteiro, head of Logistics, VW Group of America Chattanooga Operations discuss how the Chattanooga plant is leading the way in terms of EV logistics, and why it is sharing its findings with the wider Volkswagen Group and its resurrected Scout brand.

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.

Hyundai parts division deploys autonomous robots in Alabama

Hyundai Transys has started using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) provided by Thira Robotics for in-plant logistics at its US plant in Alabama. It is the first time Thira Robotics, which is based in South Korea, has deployed its AMRs in the US.

Marcus Williams

Skoda adopts SAP digital platform for logistics overhaul at Vrchlabí

Skoda Auto is implementing the SAP S/4 Hana digital platform for system logistics at its Vrchlabí gearbox plant in the Czech Republic. The switch to the enterprise resource planning software is part of a group-wide initiative called Project One Log, which the carmaker said will replace a variety of existing legacy systems.

Marcus Williams

Digital competency is needed to predict the unexpected

The automotive supply chain has become more complex since the disruption of the Covid pandemic and will continue to be complex as the industry moves toward electrification. It means that traditional key performance indicators (KPIs) have also had to evolve.

Marcus Williams

VW Group looks for partnerships to build a resilient North American supply chain

As it expands operations in North America, Volkswagen Group is intensifying its collaboration strategy, both internally between departments and with its logistics providers. By doing so it is finding greater sustainable intermodal efficiencies on the inbound delivery of parts.

Marcus Williams

UK government reveals Battery Strategy to support EV production

The UK government’s recently announced £2 billion ($2.5 billion) Advanced Manufacturing Plan includes a new Battery Strategy that will see £50m of government funding allocated to deliver a globally competitive battery supply chain by 2030.

Marcus Williams

The automotive supply chain is preparing for the next generation of AI

While the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has only become a reality in the automotive supply chain in recent years, the next generation of the technology, generative AI, is being tested and put to use by technology supplier ZF Friedrichshafen.

Megan Kelly

Core connections for quality output at JLR

JLR is one carmaker that has been working hard over the last few years to transform manufacturing and supply chain operations up to an Industry 4.0 standard of efficiency and connectivity.

Marcus Williams

Red Sofa Interview: Seat’s Alexandre Lerma on control tower creation for automated, robust and flexible supply chains

From automation-driven advancements to the reformation of operational frameworks, Lerma envisions a future shaped by cross-functional teams impacting both pre-production and commercial activities. Yet, the primary challenge lies in rallying more suppliers to collaborate within this innovative framework.In Lerma’s vision, collaboration, fueled by data alignment and pioneering functionalities, will be the cornerstone of Seat SA’s quest for a robust, adaptable, and interconnected automotive ecosystem.

Red Sofa Interview: Volkswagen’s Frank Göller on Catena-X and supercharging automotive supply chains

At the recent Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Digital Strategies conference in Germany, Frank Göller, head of digital production and processes, Volkswagen Group, and vice-president of internationalisation at Catena-X, said the data-sharing platform is built on strong automotive players who shared the same ideas and agenda, including collaboration and data security. But what does that mean for automotive supply chains and logistics? Watch to find out more…

Red Sofa Interview: Autoliv’s Dr Gisela Linge on the human-centric engine driving digitalisation

Dr Gisela Linge, supply chain vice president at Autoliv says the key to embedding digitalisation is to “first embed this in our way of working and thinking,” making digitalisation human-centric and having the problems of key users in mind.

Red Sofa Interview: Dr Birgit Boss talks about Bosch’s adoption of digital twins and semantic models

Dr Birgit Boss, senior expert for digital twins and standardisation at Bosch, explains why data is now more important than ever in building more interoperability into the automotive supply chain.

Red Sofa Interview: how BMW is digitalising supply chains for greater speed, standards and traceability

Michael Ströbel, who leads BMW Group’s global digital production and logistics processes, joins the Red Sofa to discuss what its cloud integration means for logistics and expanding data reference points, and points traceability requirements upstream and downstream whilst looking to new uses cases for generative AI.

BMW’s digital strategy for better supply chain visibility

What the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic and subsequent repercussions such as the semiconductor crisis have revealed is that the automotive industry needs a clearer line of sight up and down the supply chain to secure flexible production and the timely delivery of vehicles.

Marcus Williams

BMW battery cell centre integrates engineering, purchasing and production to scale supply chain

BMW’s new battery cell pilot plant close to Munich will help the carmaker standardise and increase production and supply chain process across battery manufacturing and supply

Christopher Ludwig

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

Red Sofa Interview: Material control is BMW's next frontier for AI at Plant Spartanburg

Oliver Bilstein, who leads logistics for BMW’s manufacturing in the US, joins the Red Sofa to discuss how new technology and automation are increasing flexibility in production and supply chain and how logistics needs to adapt to ramp up EV and battery output.

Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global: Recap

Follow our recap blog below to get the most important insights from Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global 2023 in Detroit.

Megan Kelly

Material mission impossible: digital control of BMW’s inbound logistics

BMW has enhanced material planning and control systems for its Spartanburg plant across JIS, JIT and global flows, in close collaboration with Munich and partners in North America.

Christopher Ludwig

BMW rides the path of logistics automation

BMW is expanding physical logistics at Spartanburg ahead of EV production, whilst implementing more digital and autonomous technology.

Christopher Ludwig

Planning BMW’s logistics in the factoryverse

Assembly and logistics planners at BMW’s Plant Spartanburg are designing layouts and operations in the virtual world, with real-time visibility of how changes would impact production and worker movements.

Christopher Ludwig

‘Performing while transforming’ BMW's logistics in Spartanburg: Special series

In the first of our special focus on the logistics for the carmaker’s largest vehicle plant, VP of logistics Oliver Bilstein explains how BMW is investing in digitalisation, space and people to manage complexity, prepare for electrification and mitigate capacity shortages in the US.

Christopher Ludwig

Aston Martin partners with EV specialist Lucid for battery systems

Aston Martin Lagonda is set to use luxury electric vehicle (EV) specialist Lucid Group’s battery and electrical supply systems as part of its new EV platform.

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 and Bosch reap the benefits of digital investments

Carmakers and their suppliers are looking at a range of digital platforms to provide a complete end-to-end view of the automotive supply chain and make operations more predictable, stable and transparent. They are also looking to save transport costs at a time of rising fuel and equipment costs, a saving that goes hand-in-hand with a more sustainable transport strategy.

Marcus Williams

Interview: How Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing learned to be flexible

Paulina Chmielarz reveals how Jaguar Land Rover’s production team has worked with supply chain teams to increase planning flexibility, and the great potential of its overhaul of manufacturing and logistics systems

Building a blueprint for battery logistics at PowerCo

As PowerCo sets up battery cell production for VW Group, its logistics organisation, led by Matthias Braun, has set out a vision and framework that will take the best from automotive and chemical sectors, and forge a new benchmark in supply chain transparency and connectivity

Christopher Ludwig

Kion expands operations in Germany with PDC and plant expansion

Kion Group is building a 22,000 sq.m service parts distribution centre (PDC) near Aschaffenburg in Germany to supply its subsidiary brands Dematic and Linde Material Handling, which provide intralogistics and warehouse automation, technology and trucks.

Marcus Williams

Michael Nikolaides on why logistics is a strategic advantage at BMW

In this exclusive video interview, the carmaker’s global head of supply chain management explains how logistics is driving production and product strategy, influencing localisation and helping BMW meet green objectives – and why logistics providers should bring him more new ideas

BMW’s lean, green and digital difference

Mastering successive supply chain crises has reframed the role of logistics at BMW. Dr Michael Nikolaides, senior vice-president of production network and supply chain management, explains how his team is influencing plant and market decisions, thanks in part to improved visibility

Christopher Ludwig

Grupo Antolin automates logistics at Aragusa components plant

Grupo Antolin is automating the movement of interior components within its Aragusa factory in Spain as part of an Advanced Manufacturing 4.0 strategy.

Marcus Williams

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

Audi’s digital culture change – interview with Francisco Bravo, Audi Mexico

Francisco Bravo Gomez, Senior Director of Supply Chain at Audi Mexico explains the technology, processes and mindset changes that the carmaker is pursuing in Mexico as it transforms it further digitalises its logistics.

VW partners for strong logistics in Mexico – Interview with Peter Koltai, Volkswagen de Mexico

Peter Koltai, Senior Director for Production Control and Logistics at Volkswagen de Mexico speaks to Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ludwig about how the carmaker has been managing logistics disruption in Mexico, and how its supply chain is preparing to the launch of electric vehicle production in Puebla.

Future proofing Mexico’s logistics network

Watch how logistics leaders in Mexico, including Francisco Bravo from Audi, are prioritising, implementing and scaling digitalisation strategies to streamline customs transactions, enable decision making in real-time, harness data and automate logistics processes.

What’s ahead for Mexico? North America production and sales outlook

The second session of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico featuring Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Americas Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting at S&P Global, who forecasts the global and regional powertrain production mix and vehicle sales outlooks in North America alongside analysis on Mexico’s roadmap for EV battery production and the implications for the supply chain.

Mind over machine: why the human factor is crucial to digitalisation

Digital tools are only effective if they are implemented correctly and used to their full potential. Experts at this week’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico conference argued that digitalisation has to be user friendly if it is to be of any practical use.

Hazel Southwell

A logistics facility full of innovation at BMW Spartanburg

BMW has recently opened a $100m logistics centre next to its US assembly plant in Spartanburg. The 93,000 sq.m facility consolidates two offsite locations and is dedicated to logistics for BMW’s X models.

Marcus Williams

BMW digitalises logistics and maintenance in Mexico

BMW is applying the lean, green and digital principles underpinning its iFactory strategy to make logistics more predictable at its plant in San Luis Potosi in Mexico, according to the plant’s CEO, Harald Gottsche

Peter Murphy

Markus Haupt leads production and logistics at Seat

Markus Haupt has taken over from Herbert Steiner as executive vice-president of production and logistics at Spanish carmaker Seat.

Marcus Williams

JCB signs up Maersk and Unipart Logistics for parts handling

JCB has signed two major contracts with logistics providers Maersk and Unipart Logistics for global parts management.

Marcus Williams

Mercedes to use Microsoft data platform to streamline supply chain

Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Microsoft to deepen their collaboration on production systems, creating a data platform that gives transparency across every passenger car factory and allows inventory management and supply chain oversight to maximise production.

Hazel Southwell

The USDOE wants to energise sustainable automotive supply chains

The opening session of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global focused on the US government’s objectives with keynote from Dr Jacob Ward, who has recently taken a key supply chain role in the DOE’s new Energy Sector Industrial Base program within the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. Ward leads the federal government’s efforts in modelling, mapping, and analysing America’s critical energy supply chains. Dr Ward also answers questions from editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig.

Collaborating from the start to design automotive logistics networks and processes

Logistics executives from Toyota North America, Benteler, Carter Logistics and Agillence explore the strategic considerations for logistics from early in product development cycles.

Bringing production lessons to Nissan’s vehicle logistics with JS Bolton

Nissan North America’s head of vehicle logistics talks to Christopher Ludwig about the need for flexibility and strong teams in logistics during the Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global 2022 conference in Detroit.

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.

Porsche retrofitting headlights after supply shortage

Porsche has resolved a supply chain bottleneck that forced it to delay deliveries this month of Macan and Panamera models made at its Leipzig plant in Germany.

Marcus Williams

Factory closures extended in China as drought continues

Carmaker Toyota and electronics supplier Foxconn are among companies that have been forced to shut down their operations in China’s Sichuan province because of a heatwave that has prompted a water and electricity supply crisis.

Hazel Southwell

BMW to increase recycled packaging as part of sustainability drive

BMW has announced a plan to use more recycled material in the packaging used to deliver parts to its assembly plants in Europe.

Marcus Williams

Lithium-ion battery gigafactory database

Track electric vehicle lithium battery gigafactories by manufacturer, location, manufacturer, current and planned gigawatt (GWh) capacity.

Automotive from Ultima Media

Suppliers Partnership releases updated guidance for automotive packaging

The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) recently updated its guidance on sustainable packaging for automotive manufacturing operations.

Marcus Williams

BMW introduces cloud-based autonomous logistics at Landshut

BMW Group is now using a data cloud to manage autonomous logistics at its component plant in Landshut, Germany, following trials with the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Jason Dunn

BMW streamlines steel press logistics at Swindon

BMW is now using automated guided vehicles (AGVs) from EK Robotics to move steel blanks and panels around its new press facility in Swindon, UK. The parts are then delivered to the Mini assembly plant in Oxford, around 50km away.

Marcus Williams

Watch: Shanghai rises again for Volkswagen’s supply chain

Despite Covid lockdowns and disruptions, SAIC Volkswagen remains a production powerhouse. In a wide-ranging video interview, executive director of logistics at the joint venture, Dr Susanne Lehmann, discusses managing scale with partners, digitalising logistics and creating more transparency across the supply chain.

Logistics in another dimension for SAIC VW in China

Last autumn Dr Susanne Lehmann joined Volkswagen Group’s joint venture with Chinese vehicle maker SAIC – SAIC VW – as executive director of logistics. She talks to Automotive Logistics about managing Covid lockdowns and supply chain disruption in China with new tools and closer supplier collaboration, and the fast pace of digitalisation

Marcus Williams

Christopher Ludwig

Watch: Why supply chain management is a competitive advantage at Audi and Volvo

Audi’s Dieter Braun and Volvo Car’s Sean Bricknell debate they strategic role that supply chain and logistics can play in the long-term business success of the automotive industry.

An electric shock for VW Group’s supply chain in Europe

Volkswagen Group is investing €10 billion ($10.6 billion) to build a lithium battery gigafactory in Sagunto, Spain as it accelerates the localisation of battery production for its electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. At this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain (ALSC) Europe conference, Matthias Braun, head of battery cell logistics at the VW brand, explained why the carmaker is investing more in European battery production and what that means for its logistics and supplier base.

Marcus Williams

LG Chem and Henkel work to control lithium battery fires

Chemical companies are doing their bit to help minimise the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, with recent announcements for Korea’s LG Chem and Henkel in Germany.

Marcus Williams

Testing TPS resilience when dealing with disruption at Toyota

In the face of ongoing supply chain disruption, the Toyota Production System (TPS) is proving itself a reliable tool for building resiliency into the carmaker’s logistics.

Automotive Logistics

BMW Brilliance extends Dadong plant and integrates logistics

BMW’s joint venture in China – BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) – has completed the extension of its Dadong plant in Shenyang, taking its footprint to 91 hectares. The facility now includes press, body and paint shops alongside a single-roof, integrated logistics and assembly building with two independent production lines.

Marcus Williams

Toyota cuts March production plans because of chip shortage

Toyota has been forced to cut global vehicle production by 100,000 in March because of the spread of Covid and its impact on the production of semiconductors.

Marcus Williams

Mercedes-Benz opens sustainable battery logistics centre in Germany

Mercedes-Benz has opened a battery logistics facility near its plant in Bremen, Germany, that it will run with its logistics provider DB Cargo.

Marcus Williams

VW starts ID.5 production at Zwickau with smart logistics

Volkswagen has started series production of the ID.5 electric vehicle (EV) at its Zwickau plant in Germany, the sixth EV to be made at the plant after the ID.3, ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron and Cupra Born. The ID.5 also comes in a GTX version.

Marcus Williams