All Logistics articles – Page 25
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ArticlePorsche progresses at Zuffenhausen
Germany – The structural work and erection of steel girders for the new 10,000 sq.m facility will be completed by the end of the year. By the start of 2016, the two-storey plant will include a state-of-the-art assembly line with logistics areas and engine testing technology. The workforce will number ...
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ArticleEnvisioning automation
The latest high-speed, high-functionality cameras are in demand to help automate vehicle productionAlthough the idea of a robot with ‘eyes’ sounds futuristic, the International Federation of Robotics confirms that as long ago as 1980, vision technology helped a robot to pick a randomly orientated component from a tray. The demonstration ...
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ArticlePainting perfection
OEMs in Brazil must deliver the highest level of innovation and sustainability, as evidenced by Geico Taikisha’s paintshop tie-in with Fiat in Pernambuco, write Luciano Dinatale, executive vice-president sales and business development, and Gabriele Gironi, executive vice-president operations and engineeringFiat has enjoyed a long and rewarding association with Brazil since ...
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ArticleAvtoVAZ: Saving Togliatti
New leadership aims to restore the fortunes of the Russian giant by reducing its workforce, disposing of non-core assets and implementing Renault-Nissan standardsThe vast AvtoVAZ auto works at Togliatti in Russia represent not so much a factory on the edge of a city as a city which grew up around ...
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ArticleJLR Solihull: The XE factor
Against expectations, the OEM has built a brand new plant in the UK in order to produce its ‘baby’ JaguarJaguar Land Rover (JLR) has achieved at Solihull what industry observers said was unlikely ever to happen again: the construction of a new car factory in western Europe. That it is ...
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ArticleBetim: Brazil's behemoth
The largest Fiat Chrysler plant in the world has already upgraded its press shop and assembly hall but is expanding still further with the construction of a new paintshop that will become operational in 2016Almost a city in itself, Fiat Betim covers 829,700 sq.m on 2.48m sq.m of land in ...
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ArticleFiat Brazil: Quest for growth
Alfredo Leggero, manufacturing director for Fiat Chrysler Latin America, discusses the continued growth of the carmaker’s largest plant worldwide, Betim in Minas Gerais – plus its new hub in Goiana, PernambucoJoanne Perry (JP): How important is South America to Fiat as a production location?Alfredo Leggero (AL): South America is very ...
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ArticleFaurecia Interiors: Staying in shape
While vehicle production volumes are on an upward trajectory in South America, interiors remain relatively simple, says Francisco Maciel, regional vice-president for Faurecia Interior Systems Joanne Perry (JP): How important is South America as a production location for Faurecia Interior Systems?Francisco Maciel (FM): South America represents 6% of our turnover. ...
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ArticleSkoda celebrates 80 years at Kvasiny
Czech Republic – The plant opened in 1934 and has been part of Skoda since 1947, when the Superb started rolling off the line; it now produces three models with a workforce of 4,200. The factory has turned out more than 1.5m units to date.Skoda Kvasiny currently makes the Superb, ...
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ArticleVW Anchieta: Production pioneer
As the first VW plant outside Germany, Anchieta paved the way for the OEM’s leading position within BrazilWhen Volkswagen first looked to produce vehicles outside its home nation after the devastation of World War Two, the incipient automotive hub around São Paulo was the location it chose. A bilateral trade ...
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ArticleCompetitively commercial
As Mercedes-Benz earmarks $1bn for its CV operations in Brazil, AMS tours final assembly at the São Bernardo do Campo plant, which plays a part in producing the entire Latin American truck line-up “Today, Brazil is the most important sales market for our trucks worldwide,” said Stefan Buchner, head of ...
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ArticleFAE: Achieving a good match
Olivier Lefebvre, vice-president of the component supplier's Brazilian branch, says its NewTech paint installation is proving an effective import to South AmericaJoanne Perry (JP): How important is South America as a production location for Faurecia Automotive Exteriors?Olivier Lefebvre (OL): South America represents 5% of the total sales of Faurecia [Group]. ...
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ArticleMercedes’ €3 billion for German plants
Germany – The sum spent this year includes €1 billion ($1.2 billion) at Sindelfingen, mostly for future projects; another billion went to Untertürkheim for the expansion of engine production. Capabilities at Bremen are being improved with €750m, while further investment was also made at the Rastatt compact car plant, where ...
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ArticleViva, Vauxhall Luton!
A £185m contract to build the new Opel/Vauxhall van has helped to save GM’s only CV plant in EuropeIn late August this year, GM’s last remaining light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant, at Luton in the UK, started series production of the new Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro after securing a £185m contract. In ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz grows at Tuscaloosa
US – The expansion has been driven by demand for the C-Class model, which first rolled off the plant’s production lines in June this year. The OEM is “consistently seeing record sales” in the country, according to Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management at Daimler and head of ...
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ArticleChinese challengers
Chery and JAC are opening factories in Brazil to take a larger slice of the South American market On June 22 this year, the first Chinese car to be produced in a Brazilian factory rolled out of the new Chery Automobiles plant at Jacareí, São Paulo State. Although only a ...
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ArticleInterview with Sonia Campos, GM Brazil
The director of GM's São Caetano do Sul Plant, in São Paulo, talks about updating the 84-year-old facility to keep pace with the demands of modern productionJoanne Perry (JP): How important is the São Caetano do Sul Plant as a production location for GM in Brazil?Sonia Campos (SC): São Caetano ...
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ArticleGM to build $174m stamping facility
US – When it comes online in 2016, the newly constructed area of the OEM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant will produce stamped components for Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles, plus an unnamed future product. GM estimates that its investment will save around $14m each year in logistics costs linked ...
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Article
Ebola halts ArcelorMittal production
Liberia – The outbreak of the virus in West Africa has led to a declaration of force majeure by contractors working on a Phase Two expansion project at Yekepa and Buchanan. The employees are being moved out of the country.ArcelorMittal currently mines and ships 5m tonnes of iron ore per ...
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ArticleSouth Africa parts makers facing supply problem
Following weeks of strike action by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), which has hit the automotive parts industry in South Africa, component makers are now faced with two months before they rebuild their pipeline of parts, according to Ken Manners, vice president of the National Association ...