Capital Equipment News December 2017

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS NEWS

FAW produces 3 000 th local truck

To successfully expand into global markets, it is critical for companies to have logistics systems and networks that are interconnected. The global linking of supply chains enables the seamless movement of products from origin to destination. DACHSER’s interconnectivity – or interlocking – describes a sophisticated, networked process that enables its customers to tap into new markets around the world. DACHSER South Africa’s MD, Detlev Duve, says the company likens the man- agement of global supply chains to the challenges of a triathlon. Considered the supreme achievement for an athlete, the triathlon requires the mastery of three different disciplines in order to succeed overall. “In logistics our disciplines are land, sea and air transports which togeth- er enable the implementation of global procurement, warehousing and distribu- tion to occur in an effective and transpar- ent manner. At DACHSER we use the term interlocking to refer to how we link up these elements through interconnecting networks.” DACHSER SA has recently embarked on a system revamp, not just including SAP FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA has notched up another record in its ever- expanding success story. The latest milestone is the 3 000 th locally built vehicle to roll-off the production line. Despite the fact that FAW SA started just over 20 years ago selling trucks local- ly, it has in recent years truly stepped up its expansion plans for the South African market. FAW SA has made a major com- mitment in the last four years amounting to over USD100 million in local plant, in- frastructure, job creation and training. The Coega-based plant and body-building facil- ity have only been in full operation for just over three years. The Coega plant has become renowned for its built quality since it first opened in July 2014. Subsequently it has increased production to include almost all FAW commercial vehicles sold in the local and southern African regions. Customer de- mand specifically for locally built FAW trucks has increased exponentially in the past three years. The most recent achievement was pegged in the calendar in early October when the Coega plant produced its 3 000 th truck. A growing number of African truck

The Coega plant has become renowned for its built quality since it first opened in July 2014.

dealers who traditionally placed their orders for vehicles built by FAW China continue to move their orders to originate out of South Africa owing to the shorter lead time for delivery, the high levels of quality from the South African plant and the reduced cost of sourcing FAW vehicles

on the same continent. “Most gratifying is that many of our units being bought by sub- Saharan customers are now second and third generation repurchases. This affirms our commitment to service and support into the African regions,” says Jianyu Hao, CEO of FAW SA. b

DACHSER’s interlocking capabilities raise the logistics bar

information using the same ‘language’. The capability reaffirms DACHSER’s com- mitment to ensuring that it is an extension of its customers’ businesses. The migration onto DACHSER’s in-house warehousing system means improved effi- ciency, reduction in costs and acceleration of response times. Specific advantages for customers include easier access to global markets through a single source, real-time control via an IT interface, optimal supply and planning of production sites and ware- housing, lean contract management and reduction of administrative processes, and complete transparency across multi-model transport. b

integration but also migrating to a glob- al freight system. “This will give rise to a brand new track and trace system and advanced visibility for our customers and network, streamlining our service levels more than ever before,” says Duve. To prepare the way for the seamless interaction of road, sea and air logistics, DACHSER has had to envision and imple- ment new logistics structures in conjunc- tion with its customers in order to accu- rately meet the logistics requirements of their supply chains. The seamless flow of goods and information necessitates that the IT systems between customers and DACHSER’s branches are able to exchange

To prepare the way for the seamless interaction of road, sea and air logistics, DACHSER has had to envision and implement new logistics structures.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS DECEMBER 2017 36