A transparent and reliable global supply chain

customer
case
BMW
A transparent
and reliable global
supply chain
CHALLeNGE
solution
result
To improve the predictability and
visibility of BMW’s outbound global
supply chain, while simultaneously
identifying administrative efficiencies
and streamlining the number of
external supply chain contacts to
a single partner.
As Lead Logistics Provider, Wallenius
Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) took
total responsibility for the carmaker’s
entire finished vehicle supply chain
from USA, Europe and South Africa
to Oceania. This provided BMW with
a single point of contact for all of its
outbound logistics needs.
WWL’s factory-to-dealer solution has
improved BMW’s supply chain. With the
supply chain management service in place,
lead times have been reduced and process
visibility and predictability improved.
A transparent
and reliable
global supply chain
WWL has developed and implemented a factory-to-dealer solution for global
automaker BMW, improving the visibility and predictability of shipments to
dealers, while generating administrative efficiencies.
The search for more efficient logistics
CHALLeNGE
The goal for the WWL logistics team was clear: to improve the predictability and visibility of BMW’s
outbound global supply chain, while simultaneously identifying administrative efficiencies and
streamlining the number of external supply chain contacts to a single partner.
The finished vehicle delivery process was a rather complex one, involving a large number of parties
from road transportation, vehicle processing, freight forwarders, port handling and ocean transport.
Separately contracting with and coordinating the activities of all these suppliers, is standard supply
chain management practice for many car manufacturers. However, the very nature of the system
itself left room for improvement in process efficiency and quality of service in customer-interface
mechanisms.
A single factory-to-dealer partner
solution
WWL worked with BMW to develop a concept in which WWL functions as a Lead Logistics
Provider for the carmaker’s finished vehicle delivery from 8 factories in Europe, USA and South
Africa to BMW dealers in Australia and New Zealand.
With this solution, WWL takes full responsibility for outbound logistics from the moment that
BMW ’s cars leave the factory gates until they arrive in dealer showrooms. WWL’s logistics
coordinators provide and coordinate the necessary services including ocean services, terminal
management, inland distribution and technical services in the export and import regions. They
are supported by a global network of partners, subcontractors and WWL’s global SCM system.
This arrangement allows WWL to provide BMW with a single point of contact and full visibility of
the entire factory-to-dealer process.
A
B
C
D
E
A. German factory: Cars are loaded on a truck at
the factory headed for Zeebrugge port, Belgium.
B. Zeebrugge: The cars are scanned at the terminal.
C. Zeebrugge: Cars are loaded on to a vessel for
the journey to Australia.
D. Melbourne: The cars are washed, inspected
and made ready for delivery at Vehicle
Processing Center.
E. Melbourne: The cars are ready for delivery
to dealerships.
Sustained high performance
result
The WWL mindset creates real benefits by optimizing lead times from factory to dealer, choosing
the most efficient supply chain and vessel on the various routes to Oceania. The result is that lead
times have been reduced by 10% to 15%, and due to total system transparency, inventory costs
have been reduced.
The valuable benefits provided to BMW include: reduced average lead times, improved delivery
precision, better visibility and predictability, and efficiency of internal administration; all of which
lead to improved vehicle deliveries to BMW’s customers, both dealerships and end-consumer.
Regular reporting, including Key Performance Indicators, ensures continuous improvements.
The supply chain solution for BMW is a great example of WWL’s factory-to-dealer concept.
Plant
Port
Bremerhaven
UK Zeebrugge
GERMANY
Oxford
Leipzig
Regensburg
BELGIUM
USA
Dingolfing
AUSTRIA
Southampton
Spartanburg
Munich
Graz
Savannah
Brisbane
Rosslyn
Durban
SOUTH
AFRICA
Fremantle
AUSTRALIA
Port Kembla
Melbourne
WWL’s global network is the foundation for the factory-to-dealer
solution provided for BMW
Auckland
NEW
ZEALAND
Learn more about casestudies online
www.2wglobal.com/www/aboutUs/cases/
SCM SERVICES TO BMW
Order planning and execution
Event management
Tracking
Performance reporting
Claims management
Network Optimization
Procurement and Contracting
Payment administration
CONTACT INFOrmation
For more information and offers, please contact your WWL account manager or nearest
WWL office. You can also contact WWL through the company web site.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) is a leading independent provider of global factoryto-dealer transport solutions for the automotive, agricultural and construction equipment
industries. The company also specialises in handling complex project cargoes such as
rail cars, power generators, mining equipment and yachts. WWL’s sophisticated supply
chain management services ensure an efficient integration of ocean transportation, inland
distribution, terminal handling and a large comprehensive range of specialised technical
services.
www.2wglobal.com