All Logistics articles – Page 23
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ArticleMercedes: At home in Alabama
The first full Mercedes-Benz plant outside Germany continues to prosper, with multiple expansions and the recent addition of the C-Class and GLE Coupe. AMS reviews the manufacturing operation at TuscaloosaFounded in 1995, Tuscaloosa was the first full production plant for Mercedes-Benz outside Germany and marked the initial step in the ...
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ArticleHonda: Getting Fit in Mexico
The Japanese OEM has designated its Mexican factory at Celaya as its centre of small-car production in the Americas – while a new transmission plant will take its total investment in the region to $21 billionWith the opening of its Celaya plant in central Mexico at the start of last ...
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ArticleInterview: Chuck Padden, FCA US Toledo
The OEM's plant manager at its largest factory in North America explains why the home of the Jeep is a top performer – ranked first for WCM in the US and with the second-biggest output of any OEM in the regionAMS: How important is Toledo within FCA’s North American production ...
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ArticleSkoda plants restart after shutdown
Czech Republic – Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny and Vrchlabí are again running at full capacity after a two- to three-week break for optimisation and expansion. Amid a range of adaptations, the main focus was the planned production conversion at Kvasiny.In order to accommodate a production increase at Kvasiny to 280,000 units ...
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ArticleStamp of approval
Chang Tiejun, body area manager at Changan Mazda's Nanjing facility, discusses the challenges of keeping pace with demand, handling changing materials and vehicle architectures, and planning for the futureAMS: Do you have both blanking and stamping operations here at Nanjing?Chang Tiejun (CT): We only have stamping operations at this location; ...
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ArticleBBAC: Engine production pioneer
Frank Proksch, senior manager cylinder head machining, talks about the high-quality manufacturing at Mercedes' first passenger-car engine plant outside Germany, which opened in 2013AMS: Beijing was Mercedes’ first powertrain plant outside Germany for passenger cars. So are you pursuing a 'build-where-you-sell' strategy, and how much of the production is for ...
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ArticleTaking care
OEMs are adopting a more proactive approach to employee wellbeing, including improved ergonomicsAs the baby-boom generation grows older and the average age of employees rises, automotive manufacturers are responding to the need for more ergonomic workplaces. In addition, the younger generation coming through is bringing with it a different set ...
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ArticleOlive takes new role at Renault-Nissan
France – The OEM has appointed Jérôme Olive as executive vice-president, Alliance Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain Management, effective August 1.Olive, who is currently senior vice-president, Manufacturing and Logistics Europe at Renault, replaces Shohei Kimura, who moves to a new leadership position in manufacturing within the Nissan group. Kimura has ...
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ArticlePorsche takes over Kuka’s tool-making division
Germany – With locations in Schwarzenberg, Germany, and Dubnica, Slovakia, and a workforce of 600 individuals, the business will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the sports car manufacturer. Kuka Systems will soon be turned into ‘Porsche Werkzeugbau’, subject to approval under anti-trust law.“By taking over the tool-making division, Porsche ...
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ArticleSkoda halves production energy per car
Czech Republic – Over the 20 years the OEM has been working with its energy provider, Sko-Energo, production has seen a drop of more than 50% in energy use and a “significant” reduction in water consumption (including 15% in 2014).“Using energy efficiently gives companies a real competitive edge,” said Michael ...
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ArticlePorsche extends Blume’s contract
Germany – Although the OEM’s member of the executive board – Production and Logistics only joined the company in January 2013, he will start a new, five-year deal in January 2016.A mechanical engineer by training, Oliver Blume has 20 years of experience within the Volkswagen Group. At Audi, he was ...
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ArticleGorlier is FCA’s new COO Components
US – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) confirmed that Pietro Gorlier’s appointment is effective from June 30 and that he retains his responsibilities as head of Parts and Services (MOPAR) and a member of the executive council, held since September 2011.As COO Components, Gorlier will replace Eugenio Razelli, who is leaving ...
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ArticleHonda’s Civic centre
A £200m investment will secure the future of the OEM's troubled Swindon plant while also signalling a radical shift in the way the company builds cars for EuropeHonda’s plan is to turn its Swindon facility into a global production centre for just one car: the next-generation Civic C-segment five-door hatchback. ...
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ArticleSommerlatte to drive Alcoa Wheel’s EMEA sales
Belgium – Effective May 1, Kai Sommerlatte will take the role of sales director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Alcoa Wheel Products Europe. He moves from his position with the company’s Western European sales team, which he has led since February 2012.Sommerlatte arrived at Alcoa in July ...
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ArticleSkoda makes 750,000th Superb
Czech Republic – The milestone vehicle rolled off the production line at Kvasiny, just a few months before the market launch of the third generation of the model. The Skoda Superb has been the brand’s flagship car since 2001.Winfried Vahland, Skoda’s CEO, claimed the Superb has been “synonymous with the ...
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ArticleInterview: Porsche's Michael Drolshagen talks Spyder manufacture
An entirely new production area has been designed and built for Porsche's hybrid supercar. The director of production for the 918 Spyder talks about the creation of the ‘Manufactory’ at Zuffenhausen, GermanyAMS: What were the criteria for the 918 production area?Michael Drolshagen (MD): At the start of the project in ...
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ArticleAllied to success
The collaboration between Renault, Nissan and Daimler continues to progress – but what makes it tick?Renault and Nissan established their cross-shareholding and wide-ranging alliance in 1999. It is now the most enduring international partnership between two major car companies in the modern automotive industry. Renault has a 43.4% stake in ...
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ArticlePorsche's Manufactory
Hand-built but high-tech, the 918 Spyder is made in a specially adapted production area at ZuffenhausenA space that formerly housed a paintshop and presents numerous logistical challenges might not sound like the ideal setting to hand build a hybrid supercar, but Porsche has created just such a production area. The ...
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ArticleLear, TRW and Expert Tooling grow in Sunderland
UK – The three expansions are being completed at Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate, increasing the local automotive manufacturing workforce by 250. More than 100 jobs will be created at Lear, 130 at TRW and 25 at Expert Tooling.The 3,500 sq. m expansion at Lear, which established its first UK site ...
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ArticleSkoda expands further at Kvasiny
Czech Republic – The plant and surrounding public infrastructure are to be modernised and expanded over the next three years, after the OEM signed a memorandum of cooperation with the government and the Hradec Králové authorities.Skoda will invest 7.2 billion CZK ($298m) in the Kvasiny site by 2018, boosting capacity ...