“
We ’ re also heavily
investing in providing our people with the necessary training to move electric vehicles safely
“ is one of five VPC facilities in the US that serve as the first stop , after US Customs , for new Mercedes-Benz vehicles destined for Mercedes-Benz dealerships throughout the country , while also serving as the company ’ s largest port for exports .
“ We ’ re also heavily investing in providing our people with the necessary training to move electric vehicles safely ,” Rory continues . “ Electric vehicles pose different challenges to internal combustion cars ; for the company , it ’ s like starting again after 130 years , and for our employees , that means being careful , and being confident in what you ’ re doing . As the Tuscaloosa plant rolls out a greater number of electric vehicles , we need to take things one step at a time to ensure that we ’ re able to fulfill our responsibility safely and efficiently .”
These investments sit within broader efforts at MBUSA to streamline its port operations . “ It ’ s our responsibility to get Mercedes- Benz cars to the ports , and then out of the country to their destination markets ,” Rory reiterates . “ When finished vehicles wait at a port , they aren ’ t getting any prettier – we need to keep them moving . With that in mind , we have recently launched a focus on operational efficiencies . We ’ ve improved how long we hold the cars at port , both through engaging directly with the shipping lines , and through the launch of a dedicated team to handle our finished vehicles exports .”
Since taking these steps , MBUSA is already reaping the rewards . Rory reveals that operations at both the Tuscaloosa facility and the Brunswick port have become more cost and time efficient – an impressive feat , given the ongoing delays influencing shipping routes around the globe . “ We ’ ve been tracking our progress since taking over these responsibilities in August of 2020 ,” she notes . “ Our inventories at the Brunswick port have fallen by around 50 percent , simply because we ’ re singularly focused on moving vehicles at the port as quickly as possible .
“ With ownership and control , it also allows us to be more disciplined ,” Rory adds . “ From a quality standpoint , we ’ ve worked closely with MBUSI to develop our own inspection procedures , which take place at the last gate before the vehicles leave the US . For MBAG , meanwhile , they no longer have to concern themselves with the movement of vehicles , because that responsibility falls to us ,
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