MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Norbert Dentressangle recently held its inaugural ‘Automotive Innovation Day’, bringing together major buyers and suppliers with its own experts to explore current issues and emerging trends in the automotive spare parts supply chain.
Held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, on 25 September, the day was designed to provide logistics managers and buyers from major automotive manufacturers with the opportunity to network and learn about the latest trends and the future of technology in spare parts distribution. Delegates included representatives from Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Renault, Nissan, Saab and Vauxhall.
Following a brief welcome from Chris Wells, Norbert Dentressangle Transport Services’ Director of Night Distribution, guest speaker, Sam Ogle, Editor of Automotive Supply Chain magazine offered his own insight into the automotive industry, followed by a presentation outlining Norbert Dentressangle’s experience and capabilities in automotive spare parts distribution.
Lunch followed presentations from Kratzer Automation, Isotrak and Renault Trucks, exploring how the application of cutting edge tracking and transport management systems, along with new vehicle technologies were supporting operational best practices and compliance with current environmental legislation.
The day culminated in a fast-paced panel discussion looking at the role of the logistics service provider in facilitating collaboration between competing manufacturers to exploit synergies in their supply chains.
Delegates were also treated to a close-up look at two hybrid Renault trucks and a 15.6 metre semi-trailer from The Cartwright Group, alongside the world’s largest collection of classic, vintage and veteran British cars, including the Aston Martin DB5 from James Bond’s SKYFALL.
Chris Wells said: "The aim of our first Automotive Innovation Day was to highlight the advances in technology along with the challenges and opportunities ahead in the automotive sector. It also looked at collaboration and how to work with customers and suppliers to jointly develop and implement plans to deliver improved supply chain operations in the aftermarket sector."
Mike Bridges, Managing Director at Norbert Dentressangle Transport Services, concluded: "Our first Automotive Innovation Day was a great success and we were delighted with the level of support and involvement, both from our strategic partners and major customer organisations. Based on positive feedback from the delegates, we hope to host more events in the future in order to share and develop best practices in this highly competitive sector."
With more than 50 years experience, Norbert Dentressangle is the UK’s leading logistics provider in the volume aftermarket distribution market, with its customers accounting for 42.9% of the new cars sold in 2012. The company’s Night Distribution Network delivers more than 5,000 cage equivalents to around 1,500 locations every night, offering a next-day delivery service before 8am to dealerships throughout the UK on behalf of customers including Ford, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Unipart, Vauxhall, XPart, Fiat and Saab.
