Browsing: Supply Chain Analysis

Though still cost-obsessed, the auto industry’s inbound supply chain has slipped from its pre-eminent position and could now learn a few things from other sectors. Perhaps the delivery standards of supermarkets could apply?

With little sign that the automotive industry is going to solve its overcapacity problems anytime soon, supply chain efficiency will remain one of the prime areas for maintaining margins – and that means a focus on information visibility.

Manufacturers are going to have to do more to earn a crust from the lucrative auto after-market with the lifting of block exemption. Dealers will be flying their own flags.

The last month has seen many of the largest European logistics companies release their financial results for the full year 2003. Largest of them all, Deutsche Post, announced that it exceeded €40 billion in revenues for the first time.

Not that long ago the dream of automating procurement for indirect, and even direct, goods was seen as not far off. So why is this Utopia so illusive, and how can it be attained? There may be a simple answer.

Defining Fourth Party Logistics seems as difficult as implementing it. However, despite the continuing debate, Frost & Sullivan’s latest report shows that the way ahead is becoming clearer for 4PL.

Traditional distribution hubs in western and central Europe are soon to face stiff competition. Expansion of the European Union in May 2004 is expected to have a significant affect on Europe’s distribution site ‘hot spots’. But many factors come into play

With manufacturing moving East, storage requirements are shifting from ‘goods for manufacture’ to space for a growing flow of imported products. Patterns are changing, but the trend is for ever more space. Can the developers keep up with demand?