Supporting Europe’s Automotive Industry in Times of Change

The automotive industry has always been characterised by change. As a technology driven sector, both in terms of product and manufacture, with customers hungry for innovative ideas, it’s an industry that thrives on fresh thinking.

But today’s automotive industry is not just driving change; it is being driven by change. Where once decisions to invest in production lines, locations or new models were based on predictable sales forecasts, trends and labour costs, now the picture is much more complex and fast moving. Technology has advanced exponentially, there are new supply chain and commercial factors to consider, and the sustainability agenda is being influenced by compliance, technology and consumer awareness.

This perfect storm has become an incubator for disruptive OEMs, which are adding to the pressure on well-established automotive manufacturers and supply chain businesses at a time when the transition to electric vehicles, development of autonomous vehicles and changes to both labour costs and buying habits throughout Europe are affecting operational and commercial strategies.

The net result is an industry in transition. There are new players entering the supply chain, while many automotive supply chain companies must now reconsider their established business models. Capabilities will need to evolve to embrace new opportunities and ward off the threats of change. Meanwhile there are a host of new commercial considerations for automotive manufacturers, such as:

• Whether to risk investing now, while the automotive industry is still recovering from the pandemic, or risk being left behind by not investing soon or significantly enough
• Whether to increase the level of automation and robotics or focus on efficiency improvements that deliver lean production with greater agility for future change
• Where to locate or relocate plants based on factors such as supply chain proximity, skills availability, and labour costs
• How to drive carbon reduction during production and throughout the supply chain, as well as in the eco credentials of the end product

At AIS Eurelo, we have worked with automotive companies and their supply chain partners all across Europe and we understand the challenges and unique requirements of the sector.  As electric vehicle production increases, proximity to giga factories becomes more important and, as new trends emerge, such as demand for premium electric vehicles, there is increased opportunity for boutique manufacturing sites in strategic locations.

Our understanding of the sector and proven cross-border lifting and shifting capabilities mean that we have the knowledge and resources to support automotive businesses as they adapt to escalated change and implement commercial and operational strategies for future resilience. Our services can help in a number of ways including:

• Factory decommissioning
• Factory relocation – to anywhere in Europe or beyond
• Moving assets across borders with all the correct compliance and paperwork in place
• Factory reconfiguration
• Extensions and installation of new production lines and equipment
• Automation and robot installation

It has been clear for some time that substantial change was coming to the automotive industry. Now it is also clear that change will be even more rapid and significant, at all points in the automotive delivery chain. Experience matters, and our ability to work collaboratively with automotive customers across borders as they map, phase and implement their plans makes us the lifting and moving partner of choice for automotive companies throughout Europe.