The automotive manufacturing sector is among the most lucrative and fastest-growing industries. Ever-increasing demand is the main reason for unprecedented profitability and growth.
Not even the pandemic crisis could slow it down. Despite consumers still struggling with finances in 2022, 67.2 million vehicles were sold globally. On the revenue front, the industry will likely cross $2.6 trillion in 2023.
On the other hand, vehicle manufacturers encounter several challenges, from changing technologies to evolving consumer expectations and stiff competition. Managing supply chain operations is another obstacle encountered by most manufacturers. Logistics issues were at their worst during the pandemic, and geopolitical tensions have compounded the problems for the automotive industry.
Fortunately, digital freight forwarding resolves several of these problems to streamline automotive supply chains. Here is an overview of these challenges and how technology offers a viable solution:
Key Supply Chain Challenges in Vehicle Manufacturing
Research highlights that the complexity and risks affecting automobile supply chain management have increased over the years. The recent supply chain interruptions underscore the need for effective risk management to operate vehicle manufacturing businesses normally. Awareness is a crucial aspect of solving supply chain issues.
Here are the key challenges manufacturers should know about:
Lack of Visibility
A vehicle requires thousands of components, increasing manufacturers’ dependence on supply chains. Blind spots at any stage may slow down production and lead to inventory shortages. A lack of visibility in the procurement process is a common struggle for most business owners.
Unexpected Disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest example of how unexpected global crises can bring businesses to a standstill. Disruptions amid the pandemic highlighted the pitfalls in the global supply chain, including those in the automotive sector. Factors like natural disasters and political unrest are other potential causes of disruption.
Demand Fluctuation
Financial crises in different parts of the world often lead to a drop in personal income and consumers’ purchasing power. This results in unpredictable shifts in demand. While the issue may not directly impact logistics, it can cause problems in production planning and inventory management.
Global Market Dynamics
Fluctuations in global markets, such as trade policies and geopolitical events, can affect the availability and pricing of components and raw materials for vehicle manufacturing. The challenge is widespread in the era of electric vehicles and automation, as more raw materials, such as lithium, nickel, graphite, and cobalt, are essential for the production process.
An Overview of Digital Freight Forwarding
Undoubtedly, the supply chain challenges plaguing vehicle manufacturers are real. However, digital freight forwarding can be an ideal solution to counter these obstacles and simplify the shipping process. It provides a unified digital platform to manage various logistics processes, from booking to tracking, customs, and payments.
According to Ship4wd, digital freight forwarding offers the following features to streamline operations:
- Instant freight quotes and booking
- Real-time tracking of shipments
- Online checkouts with multiple payment options
- Financing for better cash flow management
In addition to these user-friendly features, digital freight forwarding beats its traditional counterpart in several ways. It saves time and effort, minimizes documentation, and reduces the chances of human error. Additionally, it drives efficiency in the supply chain process, with goods being transferred quickly and seamlessly.
Why Digital Freight Forwarding Is Apt for Vehicle Manufacturers
The pandemic was a key driver for tech transformation for businesses, including traditional ones such as manufacturing. One critical aspect of this transformation has been the digitization of supply chains.
In 2020, the global digital freight forwarding market reached a staggering $2.92 billion. It is expected to grow tenfold and touch $22.92 billion in 2030.
While the solution is popular across all verticals, it is specifically helpful for the automotive manufacturing sector. Here are the key benefits that vehicle manufacturers can glean by switching to a digital freight forwarder:
Real-time Visibility and Shipment Tracking
With real-time visibility into the movement of raw materials and goods, manufacturers can track shipments at all stages of the supply chain. The best part is that they can do it with only a few clicks on a user-friendly digital platform.
Optimization of Shipping Routes
Traffic patterns, transportation costs, potential delays, and weather conditions are a few critical factors for automotive companies when it comes to shipping. Digital freight forwarding algorithms help manufacturers optimize shipping routes to address all these factors.
Transparent Pricing Structures
The transparent pricing structures available on digital freight platforms provide vehicle manufacturers with accurate cost estimates and eliminate hidden costs. With this transparency, they can control costs and improve their business’s bottom line.
Efficient Inventory Management
Inventory management often leaves vehicle manufacturers overwhelmed. Having too much can lead to the blockage of funds, and too little may cause stockouts. Digital freight forwarding systems help in optimizing inventory levels through real-time visibility. Manufacturers can maintain lean inventories without the risk of stockouts, with a realistic estimate of shipment arrival time.
Informed Decision-Making with Data
Digital freight forwarding solutions supply a wealth of data, which generates valuable insights into market trends, shipping patterns, and supplier performance. With these insights, manufacturers can make informed decisions to lower supply chain costs and enhance overall efficiency.
Conclusion
Supply chain management can make or break the success of a manufacturing company. It is even more crucial in the automotive sector, where thousands of components are required for the production process. A bottleneck at any point can be a killer for business operations.
Digital freight forwarding is an ideal solution to streamline the supply chain and keep production goals on track. The right platform can drive agility, growth, and efficiency for the business.
