scholarly journals How do German Manufacturers React to the Increasing Societal Pressure for Decarbonisation?

Author(s):  
Stefan M. Buettner ◽  
Christian Schneider ◽  
Werner König ◽  
Hannes Mac Nulty ◽  
Chiara Piccolroaz ◽  
...  

From the perspective of manufacturing companies, the political, media and economic discourse on decarbonisation of the recent years manifests itself as an increasing social expectation of action. In Germany in particular, this discourse is also being driven forward by powerful companies, respectively sectors, most notably the automotive industry. Against this background, it was examined how German manufacturing companies react to rising societal pressure and emerging policies. It is examined which measures the companies have taken or plan to take to reduce their footprint, which aspirations are associated with this and by which structural characteristics (company size, energy intensity, sector) these are influenced. A mix methods approach was applied, utilising data gathered from approx. 900 companies in context of the Energy Efficiency Index of German Industry (EEI), along with media research focusing on decarbonisation plans and initiatives announced. We demonstrate that one-size-serves-all approaches are not suitable to decarbonise industry as the situation and ambitions differ considerably depending on size, energy intensity and sector. Even though the level of ambition and urgency is high, particularly micro and energy intensive companies are challenged. The research uncovers a series of questions that call for attention to materialise the ambitions and address the challenges outlined.

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 543
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Buettner ◽  
Christian Schneider ◽  
Werner König ◽  
Hannes Mac Nulty ◽  
Chiara Piccolroaz ◽  
...  

From the perspective of manufacturing companies, the political, media and economic discourse on decarbonisation in the recent years manifests itself as an increasing social expectation of action. In Germany, in particular, this discourse is also being driven forward by powerful companies, respectively sectors, most notably the automotive industry. Against this background, the present paper examines how German manufacturing companies react to rising societal pressure and emerging policies. It examines which measures the companies have taken or plan to take to reduce their carbon footprint, which aspirations are associated with this and the structural characteristics (company size, energy intensity, and sector) by which these are influenced. A mix methods approach is applied, utilising data gathered from approx. 900 companies in context of the Energy Efficiency Index of German Industry (EEI), along with media research focusing on the announced decarbonisation plans and initiatives. We demonstrate that one-size-serves-all approaches are not suitable to decarbonise industry, as the situation and ambitions differ considerably depending on size, energy intensity and sector. Even though the levels of ambition and urgency are high, micro and energy intensive companies, in particular, are challenged. The present research uncovers a series of questions that call for attention to materialise the ambitions and address the challenges outlined.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6787
Author(s):  
Jože M. Rožanec ◽  
Blaž Kažič ◽  
Maja Škrjanc ◽  
Blaž Fortuna ◽  
Dunja Mladenić

Demand forecasting is a crucial component of demand management, directly impacting manufacturing companies’ planning, revenues, and actors through the supply chain. We evaluate 21 baseline, statistical, and machine learning algorithms to forecast smooth and erratic demand on a real-world use case scenario. The products’ data were obtained from a European original equipment manufacturer targeting the global automotive industry market. Our research shows that global machine learning models achieve superior performance than local models. We show that forecast errors from global models can be constrained by pooling product data based on the past demand magnitude. We also propose a set of metrics and criteria for a comprehensive understanding of demand forecasting models’ performance.


Author(s):  
Daniel F. Crespo Pazmiño

La innovación y el desarrollo tecnológico son una fuente crucial de competitividad dentro del entorno comercial global. En el siglo XXI, firmas automotrices alemanas como Audi, Volkswagen y Mercedes-Benz se han posicionado en el top de empresas con reconocimiento internacional por su calidad y prestigio innovador. No es ninguna novedad destacar que cada vez existen más compañías productoras de automóviles que se establecen a partir de la reproducción a bajo costo de los modelos de las principales marcas. Sin embargo, cabe destacar el hecho de que la industria automotriz alemana ha extendido su vinculación con las empresas ensambladoras de automóviles en China, que se han vuelto conocidas por duplicar el producto alemán. Mediante un análisis bajo los lentes de la seguridad económica, la dinámica del espionaje industrial moderno y la cultura del capitalismo chino, este trabajo se enfoca en evidenciar cómo el espionaje corporativo constituye una parte más del juego comercial moderno, particularmente en el contexto de la industria automotriz alemana en China. Así, se analizan los principales casos de espionaje chino de la industria alemana, las acciones defensivas emprendidas por Alemania y las estrategias que su industria automotriz prioriza para mantener la competitividad en un entorno de espionaje e incertidumbre. Abstract Innovation and technological development are a crucial source of competitiveness within the global trading environment. So far in the 21st century, some German automotive firms, such as Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, have positioned at the top of internationally recognized car companies for their quality and innovative prestige. It is no novelty to mention that there are more and more car-producing companies, which reproduce the models of the main brands at a lower cost, and in doing so, they have positioned themselves internationally. However, it is especially noteworthy the fact that the German automobile industry has been spreading its linkage with the manufacturers and assemblers of cars in China, which have become famous by doubling the German product. This article shows how corporate espionage constitutes a part of the modern commercial game, particularly in the context of the German automotive industry in China, under the lens of economic security, the dynamics of modern industrial espionage and the culture of China's capitalism. For such ends, it discusses the main cases of Chinese espionage of the German industry, the defensive actions undertaken by the German Government, and the strategies that the German automotive industry prioritizes in order to maintain its competitiveness in an environment of espionage and uncertainty.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28
Author(s):  
Kafeel Uddin Quershi ◽  
Danish Ahmed Siddiqui

The purpose of this research is to study the significance of supply chain strategies namely supplier development and supply chain flexibility towards supply chain effectiveness in automotive industry of Pakistan. A survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires to collect data from 300 supply chain professionals working in automotive manufacturing companies of Pakistan. The finding indicates that supplier development and supply chain flexibility have positive and significant impact on supply chain effectiveness in automotive industry of Pakistan. The research will help policy makers and management to integrate strategies and practices related to supplier development and flexibility to improve supply chain effectiveness in order to be competitive in automotive industry of Pakistan.   


Author(s):  
Peter Dobra ◽  
János Jósvai

Manufacturing companies continuously evaluate their achieved performance based on different Key Performance Indicators (KPI). This article gives an overview about the OEE values. The study aims to provide practical OEE data of semi-automatic assembly lines used in the automotive industry. Its novelty is the revealed relationship between seat assembly lines and seat subassembly lines. Firstly, a literature review shows the scientific relevance and several cases are collected to increase OEE percentage. Secondly, the connection between chassis, tracks, recliner and mechanism assembly lines is described. Each part of OEE (availability, performance, quality) are analysed in terms of their impact.


2015 ◽  
Vol 761 ◽  
pp. 619-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuhriah Ebrahim ◽  
Amir Hamzah Abdul Rasib ◽  
Mohd Razali Muhamad

Nowadays, manufacturing high product variety is essential for manufacturing companies in order to be sustainable in a volatile market. However, maintaining a shorter lead time in manufacturing operations is also crucial as the speed delivery becomes one of the manufacturing competitive priorities. Motivated by this issue, this study aims to develop a model of Time Loss (TL) for sub-assembly processes in automotive industry. In relation to this, critical elements of TL will be clearly justified through a thorough analysis of literature study in the aspects of Man, Machine, Method, and Material (4M). In this study, the critical elements of TL is defined as an unnecessary activity that needs to be eliminated or minimized. The relationships between the critical elements of TL are clarified through the flow of activities involved in the concept of manufacturing input-output. Finally, the critical elements of TL are compared to the existing non-financial manufacturing performance measures presented in isolated models (e.g. leanness, agility, responsiveness, etc.). Results of the analysis show that the critical elements of TL can be represented as a holistic performance measure of manufacturing operations that includes leanness, agility, fitness, responsiveness, flexibility, and sustainability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 693 ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Marta Kučerová ◽  
Helena Fidlerová

Six Sigma is one of methodologies of the quality management for the process improvement. It can be used in manufacturing companies, in order to achieve certain criteria established by management or customer requests. Six Sigma is based on the assumption that opportunities for success are hidden in every process and it gives the company a common tool for defining of corporate objectives. Implementation of this methodology lies in the integrated approach in solving the problems of business processes, which can represent significant benefits in production processes as well as various non-production processes. Six Sigma is based on the principle of measuring, monitoring and controlling processes with possible application of statistical methods, different tools and techniques. If the Six Sigma methodology is used properly and rationally, companies can save considerably with this effort the measurable financial resources. Its application leads to a cost reduction in inefficient processes, contributes to the production quality, better performance and to the satisfaction of internal and/or external customers.The objective of the paper is to present base theoretical aspects of Six Sigma framework and its principles. Followed with methodology of Six sigma and in addition is addressed a concrete application for statistical process control of the lacquering process within silencers manufacturing for a company in the automotive industry. The practical contribution of the project provides an improvement of the process, which means to improve the product quality, achieve cost reduction and better customer satisfaction.


Procedia CIRP ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tallal Javied ◽  
Tobias Rackow ◽  
Roland Stankalla ◽  
Christian Sterk ◽  
Jörg Franke

Author(s):  
C E Rossi

Industrial research as a source of technological innovation has acquired a central role in companies in the 1980s. Large manufacturing companies have been developing research systems made of structures co-ordinated with and complementary to one another, in an effort to achieve a rapid and proper flow of innovation. This paper discusses the research system of the Fiat Group, with special attention being paid to the inter-disciplinary, integrated research project developed by the Fiat Research Centre in co-operation with the ‘Progetto Finalizzato Trasporti’ drawn up by Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche (CNR). Such a project implies the design and development of a research car aimed at becoming a reference for future projects for the energy saving cars to be produced in the 1990s.


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