logistics service provider

Due to COVID-19 the production lines of the German automotive manufacturers were stopped for an average of 30 days. Even allegations of exhaust manipulation, the required structural change in the direction of electro mobility as well as stricter CO2 regulations are representatives for risks that impact automotive value chains. In order to encounter such risks in an entrepreneurial manner, cooperative, integrative and analytical skills are required, which are brought together in a mature risk management model. While automotive manufacturers and suppliers are in the scientific and public focus of such risks less attention is paid to the risk management of directly affected contract logistics service providers in this industry. In this article a risk management model for contract logistics service providers in the automotive sector is developed that leads to elaborated risk mitigation strategies. A differentiation of risks should take place on three levels by not only company-internal ...

Finished vehicle logistics is of particular importance for the automotive industry, because it is the link between manufacturer and customers. If problems occur during the distribution of a car, it becomes visible to the customer, unless the problems can be solved during the following processes. Process interfaces between companies are frequently causing issues. That is why a survey was executed in order to identify those issues at the interfaces between car manufacturers and logistics service providers.

Logistics has changed extensively in recent decades. Initially characterized by the classical functional structuring procurement - production - distribution, the task of logistics in our days is to integrate value chains into global networks. In future, logistics challenges will proceed even faster. Logisticians from science and practice estimate that the next 10 years will bring as many changes as the past 50 years. To keep pace with this dynamic change the knowledge about future developments and trends that will shape the logistics of tomorrow is key to success. From our perspective, four global core developments will significantly influence the planning, coordination and proceeding of product flows in the future: supply chain risk, technology, environment and geopolitical orientation and change of social structures. These developments open up opportunities for logistics but include also major challenges.

Since the turn of the millennium companies are confronted with a tightly interwoven network consisting of changed framework conditions. Thus, for many companies it is necessary to form a network, together with a simultaneous securing of liquidity. Additionally, it is important to consider ecological values. The selection of adequate concepts in the supply chain management in combination with the right extent in logistic services poses a major challenge. However the dynamic assessment and selection of logistic concepts is quite possible. This article presents such an approach.

China plays as a production site as well as supply market and as market for final products for European and American companies an increasing role. The attractiveness for logistics service providers is caused by the gigantic market potential and an enormous market increase. The rise of outsourcing activities of shippers is of special relevance for logistics service providers. Enterprises in the logistics sector are confronted with considerable challenges like quantity and quality of the logistics infrastructure or Guanxi.

Due to the economic boom the demand for transport and logistic services increases dramatically in China. Experts promise for the Chinese logistics market a more than three times faster growth than for the German market. China offers not only cheap work force. With the accession to the WTO in 2001 the Chinese government liberalizes the logistics market. After outsourcing abroad and the integration of Chinese suppliers into the worldwide supply networks thousands of companies follow to China to open up the huge interior market with products as well as transport and logistic services.

Logistics service providers intend to provide their costumers with efficient logistics processes and low-cost services. Besides the classical aspects of the controlling of the material and information flow in the supply chain, logistics service providers have begun in the last years to offer additional value added services to their costumers. The value-orientation of industrial and trading companies has put the demand on logistics service providers to provide logistics solutions for a financial optimisation of the supply chain. This contribution will show a solution in form of the “Supply Chain Finance Cooperation”.

Logistics service providers do not only want to grow and to increase their turnover, but they also want to handle more profitable performances provided for their customers. However, since September 2001 this has not been an easy venture considering the low economic performance and the weakness relating to market conditions. On the other hand, economic situation-caused problems are often an opportunity for companies from industry and trade to rethink their own core businesses. Often even logistics services will be outsourced. This article describes the possibilities for logistics service providers on the market, especially how they can create more value for their customers and their own business.

The emergence of internet technologies has led to a fundamental transformation of value chains. For logistics service providers in particular new revenue sources and new roles in supply chains evolve. E-logistics helps to reduce the transaction costs in supply chains and hence increases the willingness for outsourcing. The ability to integrate seamlessly into customer processes, which can be referred to as collaboration capability, is a central competitive factor in the outsourcing industry. Also in this area e-logistics plays the role of an innovation driver. This article discusses the potentials and barriers of e-logistics initiatives and collaboration for logistics service providers and their customers and structures the design parameters of collaboration through a methodology.