TNT Logistics supports Ford commercial van production in Ohio, USA
21 February 2006 - 12:22 CET
TNT Logistics in North America, a leading provider of supply chain services to the automotive industry, has recently launched a series of logistics support locations supporting van production for Ford Motor Company utilising three facilities located in Lorain County, Ohio.In support of the logistics processes, TNT Logistics leased more than 70,000 square metres of warehouse space in the Ohio communities of Elyria, Avon Lake and Westlake. These three sites are within close proximity to Ford's newly consolidated Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake. The Ohio Assembly Plant produces the Ford Econoline van.
Before the consolidation, these commercial-use vans were assembled in Lorain after the bodies were prepared and painted in Avon Lake. The Ohio Assembly Plant now performs both steps. TNT Logistics is supporting processes to allow the material within the supply chain to arrive efficiently to the plant for production, with returnable containers returned effectively to Ford's Tier 1 suppliers.
Kerry Zielinski, director of business development for TNT Logistics North America, said TNT Logistics serves as a material sequencing supplier, providing a flow of parts to the Ohio Assembly Plant on a just-in-time schedule. The logistics provider is sequencing to live broadcast many commodities to allow Ford to maintain their high service quality utilising a smaller footprint line side for materials.
"We're pleased to have been selected by Ford Motor Company to support the Ohio Assembly Plant," said Steve Kowalkoski, vice president automotive, TNT Logistics North America. "This latest expansion with Ford signifies the faith that they have in our ability to provide high-quality, on-demand supply chain logistics services."
"This is an important project for both TNT Logistics and the Ohio Assembly Plant," added Zielinski. "Using our ‘Zero Defects Start-Up process (ZDS), we achieved a smooth operational launch in January 2006 and look forward to a great future with this plant."
TNT Logistics provides a variety of logistics services to Ford in many locations across the world.
