GLDPartners
Macro forces are reshaping supply chains and global logistics patterns. Rapidly fluctuating energy costs increasing environmental awareness, changes in public policy, landmark infrastructure investments and shifting markets are factors in a changing marketplace. We help our clients position their asset for success.
CASE STUDIES
FROM THE BLOG
Magna to build BMW’s new hybrid as the world’s only contract auto manufacturer. More of this to come.
We've been anticipating this and now it's happening and it's big news. The blur between supplier and OEM in the automotive sector is increasing. The giant Canadian-based automotive supplier to OEMs has announced a new facility in Austria to assemble both the Jaguar I-Pace (JLR) and the BMW 5-Series plug-in hybrid vehicles. Now, with contract manufacturer responsibilities, a firm like Magna is moving toward status as a "partner OEM". This is likely to portend other moves where suppliers take on assembly of specialized vehicles for legacy OEMs, but also for some of the new-on-scene tech-oriented automotive start-ups.
Delphi: A Lesson in Modern “Corporate Industrial Evolution”
Delphi Automotive is becoming a global leader in next-generation automotive technology and this transformation is probably one of the best examples of a successful corporate transformation. Delphi has come full-circle in shedding its formal role as producers of commodity products for the massive automotive industry, and anticipating a fundamentally new automotive industry has repositioning itself as a leader in what's being referred to as producing and servicing tomorrow's "automotive networks".
Global Inland Port Investments: Logistics Efficiencies or Economic Development? Or Both?
Around the world, the inland port phenomenon is gaining momentum very rapidly. At the bottom of this article, we list just some of the recent news articles published over the last few months from around the world, talking about new or proposed inland port projects. This is just a sampling, there are many more. The inland port concept is quite popular right now but we wanted to highlight some critical issues that will impact their ultimate success.
Europe (Germany) is a Major Global Factor in AutoTech
There is a lot of news from Asia and North America about advancements in automotive technology and the legacy and start-up players that are generating new tech products in those locations. There are also stories about autotech development from the UK or Israel, and some other places, but it is Germany that is Europe's emerging automotive technology hub.
GLDPartners Begins Cross-Border Infrastructure and Market Development Project
GLDPartners and partner Cambridge Systematics have just begun a project in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to review the region's infrastructure and market competitiveness - toward developing a regional focus on targeting the attraction of supply chain investment to the region. This region is quite interesting because of its location, its Seaway system access, airport and because of its cross-border setting. GLDPartners has worked on statewide infrastructure analytics and competitiveness positioning in Michigan previously and has substantial experience in cross-border settings and in Canada. This project is an excellent example of local leadership and cooperation, including the regional planning organization and its economic development and corporate partners.
US Must Take Investment in Multimodal Transport Infrastructure Seriously
We agree with AAPA and Kurt Nagle. In the US, there is little systemic planning or funding for strategic national system transportation and economic development. If the new Washington Administration is at all serious about economic growth on a global stage, it is imperative that the country take demonstrative steps toward creating a thoroughly modern, super-efficient freight transport infrastructure. In large measure, this is not the case today and the programs and investments over recent years, though helpful, were but small bandages applied to an old, creaky patchwork that comprises the national cargo movement system. Certainly, we cannot go backwards - rather, we need to be doing a heck of a lot more. At this point though, we are not seeing the kind of vision and leadership that we need and this must evolve and evolve quickly.