AIAG Logistics Initiatives Get Boost from Union Pacific Railroad and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry giants Union Pacific Railroad and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics have joined AIAG as new members to get more involved in AIAG's activities in finished vehicle logistics (FVL). FVL improves the process of getting vehicles from the plant to the dealer, usually by truck, rail, or ship.

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"These two global organizations are leaders in finished vehicle logistics, and AIAG is looking forward to their support of our supply chain initiatives," says Bill Kerrigan, AIAG's program manager for finished vehicle logistics. "We rely on a volume of members coming together to get things done. AIAG is where dedicated industry professionals join up and say, 'What can we do together to benefit the industry?'"

"As a shipping and logistics company that serves vehicle manufacturers on a global basis, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics is very pleased to join the Automotive Industry Action Group," says Rich Heintzelman, executive vice president and head of commercial, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Americas. "AIAG provides a well-respected and progressive forum that auto companies look to for establishing common business practices and standards that support operational excellence, quality, and collaboration on regulatory affairs. These issues affect the entire automotive industry, and as a key supplier, WWL is excited to bring its point of view to the discussion and deepen our involvement in critical industry affairs."

"Union Pacific is committed to providing value to the automotive industry through excellent service and innovative transportation solutions tailored to customers' unique supply chain needs," says Linda Brandl, Union Pacific Railroad's vice president and general manager-automotive. "As a member of AIAG, Union Pacific is interested in the pursuit of supply chain management initiatives, particularly those associated with the transportation of raw materials for auto parts, auto parts components, and finished vehicles."

An example of an AIAG FVL-related project is Electronic Proof of Delivery. "When trucks deliver cars to dealers, there is a lot of paperwork to be signed and noted," AIAG's Kerrigan says. "AIAG and its member volunteers are trying to develop standards and processes that get rid of paper. It's better for the environment, more efficient, and it's easier to trace information." Among AIAG's goals is to establish a process that allows access and visibility of delivery data to all parties.

Another FVL area of concentration for AIAG is in damage claims. "AIAG and its member volunteers have a huge, ongoing effort to improve processes and establish standards to reduce damages in finished vehicle transportation and delivery," says Kerrigan.

In other FVL-related activities, AIAG industry volunteers are co-authoring a Global FVL Quality Manual with the European Car-Carrier Group, which is based on an existing ECG guideline and will be released first quarter 2014. "The idea is to get North America and Europe on a common standard when it comes to rail, haul-away, and ocean," Kerrigan says.

Kerrigan notes that AIAG is excited that two industry giants like Union Pacific Railroad and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics are committed to helping the industry get where it needs to be in finished vehicle logistics by working collaboratively with other members under the AIAG umbrella. "We need these subject-matter experts in the room," says Kerrigan. "That's how AIAG gets things done."

About AIAG
AIAG is a unique not-for-profit organization where OEMs, suppliers, service providers, government entities, and individuals in academia have worked collaboratively for more than 30 years to drive down costs and complexity from the supply chain. AIAG membership includes preeminent manufacturers and many of their parts suppliers and service providers. For more information, visit www.AIAG.org.

Contact: Greg Creason
Ph. 248.358.9741
[email protected]

SOURCE AIAG