The Novelis North America Supplier award was given to Penske Logistics for demonstrating an outstanding performance in overall logistics while receiving the best score from Novelis' key carriers throughout North America in 2020. This is Penske's second time receiving the North America Supplier award, accepting its first in 2019.
Penske Logistics executives receiving Supplier Excellence Award from Novelis
"Delivering performance and innovation is guided by a deep sense of responsibility at Penske," explained Jeff Jackson, executive vice president of operations for Penske Logistics. "With Novelis, we are committed to providing quality, reliability and a true partnership which resonates through the North America Supplier award."
Penske's dedicated trucking operation utilizes Novelis' closed loop recycling system and shuttles aluminum coils from Oswego, New York, to automotive stamping plants in Michigan. The aluminum scrap from the stamping process is then transported back to Oswego to be recycled and formed into new coils. This process runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – with a loaded Penske truck heading out on the road every 40 minutes.
"We are inspired by the work and passion Novelis has for a circular economy and are grateful to partner with them and receive the North American Supplier award for the second time," said Marc Althen, president of Penske Logistics. "Leading our success is our dedicated team of safe, professional drivers and well-trained staff. I would like to send my appreciation to that team for their focus and commitment to the network's infrastructure and procedures."
Novelis joins technology and strength innovation in the automotive industry. Due to fuel efficiency requirements, light weighting demands and the evolving mobility ecosystem, automakers enlist Novelis aluminum for sustainable solutions that enable the next generation of vehicles.
"At Novelis, our purpose is shaping a sustainable world together, and our supplier award winners demonstrate that commitment every day," said Tom Boney, executive vice president and president, Novelis North America. "We congratulate Penske Logistics on this accomplishment and look forward to an even more successful partnership in the years to come."
Novelis selects suppliers across 10 award categories each year that support its 16 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
Penske Logistics provides dedicated contract carriage services through its expansive network in North America with safe, professional drivers, and a modern truck fleet integrated with advanced safety systems, transportation management and real-time freight tracking systems. Penske Logistics handles deliveries for a variety of leading companies in industries including automotive, CPG, food, grocery, beverage, manufacturing, quick-service restaurants, healthcare, and convenience store chains among them. Penske is currently hiring truck drivers nationwide. Visit https://driver.penske.jobs/ for available positions.
By Tana Korpics
Penske Logistics truck at Oswego, New York, facility.
Gallick, along with other industry executives, spoke in a panel discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., 
Gallick (photo on right) said there has been more emphasis on optimizing the movement of goods, including improved layout and design of warehouses. “It is about optimization within the four walls,” he said. 
Innovative Concept Helps the Environment
“Simply excellent” were the words the European Logistics Association’s judges used to describe the project. “Redesigning a spare parts supply chain is not an easy task, but combining this with the acquisition of other brands to be included in the logistics network in Europe is a true challenge. This supply chain is particularly complex, due to the high number of unique items to be managed, the heterogeneity of those items, and the extremely short lead times that dealers require. The industrywide cooperation makes the Network Integrator a state-of-the-art example. This excellent concept produces excellent results in cost reduction, increased customer service and advantages for the planet through deep collaboration. On top of that it delivers several exemplary models for the future,” the case study judges wrote.
Spare parts logistics has become more challenging for the automotive industry in Europe due to the increasing number of spare parts as a result of increased vehicle complexity. Ford collaborated with Penske Logistics and co-developed the Network Integrator concept into a best-in-class model in industry collaboration.
“Our goal is to continue expanding the concept and encourage other companies of the automotive industry to join the Network, and further leverage economies of scale – to the benefit of each partner participating in the Network and to the environment," Damerow continued. "Last but not least, the customer benefits as well, as we can provide the highest service level through a stable network."