Schoeller Arca Systems

Serving the automotive industry

The automotive industry is characterised by globalisation and consolidation across all segments of the industry from OEM manufacturers. This is right down the supply chain, from manufacture, to plastic storage boxes storing and transporting the products, to the end user.  

Automotive manufacturers are producing more and more vehicles in low cost countries (China, Eastern Europe) and are looking more at consolidation of vehicle design. Some are concentrating financial resources on new development to satisfy the increasingly stringent regulations imposed on the industry – recyclable cars at end of life, better fuel consumption and environmentally-friendly vehicles. The development of plastic packaging systems, such as boxes, trays and pallets, is helping to increase safety and efficiency in the transportation of parts for the automotive industry.
 

Major industry players and their suppliers

The major players in the automotive industry are the OEM Manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Peugeot group, VW, Honda, Nissan, Renault and PSB. Alongside the OEMs are the major component 1st tier manufacturers, such as Lear, Johnson Controls, Bosch, Faurecia, Valeo and ZF Lemforder. All these suppliers play a major part in the vehicle assembly/design from small, single components to modular systems such as the complete seat system or the dashboard with all electrical systems in place. Second tier suppliers provide smaller components to be added to the module. These companies all require plastic storage boxes as part of a transit packaging system, to simplify the logistics process.
 

Lean manufacturing and the importance of the supply chain

Parts and component manufacturers are moving to “supplier parks” close to vehicle assembly lines. This improves the supply chain and reduces inventory, in a pattern called lean manufacturing. The system of just-in-time parts delivery has transformed the industry, increasing the importance of logistics and material movement.

Today, most components produced by the supplier are sequenced into the assembly line for a specific vehicle, (for example, pre-painted door mirrors or seat colours to match the vehicle). Efficient, returnable packaging such as plastic storage boxes, ensures just-in-time delivery, with components reaching the assembly line in perfect condition.  Up to 60% of the finished vehicle’s value comes from the component suppliers. The responsibility for delivering vehicles on time now lies to a large degree with the component supply chain, since parts are not stored at the vehicle production plant.  Plastic storage boxes, however small, play a large part in the automotive industry and the completion of the finished vehicle.


Packaging & logistics

Schoeller Arca Systems solutions

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