There was a time when the supply chain was thought of as being no more than the steady flow of components through tier suppliers to vehicle manufacturers, but the level of understanding is changing at a quickening pace. OEMs are now displaying an increasing awareness of the crucial role played by logistics networks in maintaining optimised production and the importance of supply chain activity is increasingly prominent at senior management and board level. Lean supply strategies born from this growing awareness are now evolving to include emergency logistics as a core supply enabler in a diversifying and increasingly complex industrial process.
The proliferation of advanced driver assistance and convenience technologies and the resulting growth in the number of high-unit-value components in new vehicles is changing the way that supply logistics is used by the automotive industry. Premium freight, traditionally used only as a contingency to safeguard existing operations, is now being factored in to delivery schedules of high-value components to allow vehicle manufacturers to offer their customers a wider range of options than is possible with traditional stockholding. The risk of delay or damage in transit is also reduced compared to conventional freight methods.
Time Critical Update, brought to you by Evolution Time Critical - the emergency delivery specialists, in this issue topics covered are:
Volcanic ash creates increasing uncertainty for vehicle manufacturers
Evolution Time Critical shortlisted for prestigious supply chain excellence award
Evolution Time Critical shortlisted for prestigious supply chain excellence award
New EU transport infrastructure policy to benefit supply chain connectivity
Supply chain complexity increasing automotive production risks