Europe

SPECIAL ISSUE: GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERSHIPS - Columbia Sportswear: For Automated Warehouses, a WMS Spanning Two Continents

July 1, 2002

Robert J. Bowman

Increased European Sales for Staples? Yeah, We've Got That

February 1, 2001

Robert J. Bowman

The pioneer of the office-products superstore has big plans to boost sales and market share in Europe by increasing stores, catalog orders, contract stationery business, and internet retailing. But it must balance growth with the challenge of a multi-channel supply chain.

Amazon.com Sees Supply-chain As Crucial To Its Future

September 1, 2000

Malcolm Wheatley

Key Amazon.com executives in Seattle and Europe - including founder Jeff Bezos - talk about how the company's supply-chain strategies and fledgling European operations are shaping its prospects.

Kodak Focuses on Shared-Use Solution in Europe

February 1, 2000

Jean V. Murphy

As Kodak's European business changed in response to economic union and various internal factors, the company needed a logistics solution that would provide greater flexibility and lower overhead costs at key facilities. It opted for outsourcing with a shared-use approach, a concept that was given an unusual and innovative twist in the U.K. with partner MSAS Global Logistics.

Logistics in Europe: Tear Up the Old Maps

July 1, 1999

Robert J. Bowman

With economic unification and the debut of the euro, the continent has a whole new look. Shippers are turning to third parties to cope with the changes.

Philips Medical Revitalizes Parts Distribution

April 1, 1999

Robert J. Bowman

Netherlands-based Philips Medical Systems revamped its spare-parts logistics network to better serve owners of its diagnostic imaging machines. These changes were in line with a larger trend in Europe, where roadblocks to centralized distribution of medical equipment slowly are coming down - giving U.S. companies new opportunities for carving out market share.

Europe is a Pain for Distribution of Consumer Health Products

March 1, 1999

Robert J. Bowman

Europe's widely differing regulations of the consumer health product industry pose significant obstacles to centralized distribution. For companies trying to build efficiencies into their supply chains, such as health care giant Novartis, it's a real Maalox moment.

Lean on Automation, Mazda's Spare Parts Center Covers Europe

March 1, 1999

Robert J. Bowman

The Japanese car maker, which once held almost eight months' worth of aftermarket parts at its Belgian logistics center, is well on its way to keeping only a little more than two months' of spares on hand. In doing so, it has relied on surprisingly little in the way of information technology.

Frans Maas Keeps Parts Flowing to AutoEuropa

November 1, 1998

Robert J. Bowman

A thriving logistics partnership between Dutch frieght forwarder Frans Maas and a Portuguese auto plant is giving new meaning to the term "just in time."

U.K. Brewer Turns to Canada's Numetrix for Supply-Chain Help

October 1, 1998

Ken Cottrill

A potent mix of changing consumer tastes and legislation that forced it to sell much of its pub business caused Bass Brewers to radically tighten up its supply chain. It called in Numetrix to provide the needed technology.

Europe

The latest supply chain news, analysis, trends and best practices for companies operating in Europe. Learn how businesses are optimizing supply chain and logistics performance across Europe’s 50 sovereign states and four dependencies - addressing a range of challenges such as varying regulations, developing customs and tax laws and government controlled exchange rates.