Nissan to get world class inbound logistics system

Nissan North America expects to reduce costs across its inbound supplier logistics network using SynQuest’s supply chain planning solutions with Penske Logistics providing the logistics design services and IBM the hardware infrastructure. Nissan’s director of supply chain management Mike Steck says the firm will use the new system to conduct new model planning throughout its North American logistics operations. In fact, Nissan North America is the first joint new customer for SynQuest and Penske, which formed a working relationship in February this year to offer integrated software and services for optimising logistics networks. Their systems are aimed at, for example, balancing trade-offs for the lowest total cost across transportation, inventory, manufacturing, suppliers and returnable containers, while respecting lean manufacturing operating practices. It should be an interesting and high profile model site for Synquest, with Nissan having achieved the title of most efficient manufacturer in the US for eight consecutive years. SynQuest president Tim Harvey says the key benefits will be in helping the firm to continuously determine the best way to reduce logistics costs “from product design through vehicle delivery.”