Deutsche Post DHL has opened its modernised Innovation Center in Troisdorf near Bonn, Germany, to boost the development of innovative services while enabling more direct cooperation with customers, experts and academics in many fields.
The group explained that it is increasingly investing in innovations to continue contributing to the global development of the logistics industry and sustainability. Its recent trend report on the Internet of Things revealed the huge growth potential through more efficient and transparent supply chain and logistics operations which are expected to deliver economic growth estimated at $1.9 trillion by 2020. Over the next decade, the overall economic growth potential is estimated at $8 trillion.
The DHL Innovation Center was completely redesigned around the idea of developing innovations in cooperation with customers and a network of industry and research partners. Together with over 50 DHL experts, this network of partners pioneer sustainable solutions to keep world trade on the move with innovative services and solutions.
In addition to space for meetings and workshops, customers can profit from customised guided tours through the showroom. As the centre and laboratory for DHL’s Trend Research team, the facility currently showcases a Formula E car, representing DHL’s commitment towards e-mobility as well as sustainable logistics and automotive solutions. The centre also functions as a link to other areas such as the Vision Suite, in which visitors explore different scenarios on how the world might look like in 2050. The scenarios are based on DHL’s Logistics 2050 study and mega trends such as globalisation, urbanisation, climate and demographic change.
The DHL Trend Research team is dedicated to researching and leveraging trends in the logistics industry and captures the top logistics developments on a yearly basis in DHL’s Logistics Trend Radar. It is the basis for detailed trend reports that are then translated in physical prototypes which, in turn, are tested in feasibility studies. At the end of this process, these products and solutions will be completely handed over to the respective business unit for implementation into their operations or business processes.
Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL Group, said at the opening ceremony of the Innovation Center: “I believe that while capital and experience are undoubtedly important, it is innovative ideas that will steer our future. At Deutsche Post DHL Group, customer-centric innovation is key to two of our major ambitions. One is to play a pioneering role in spearheading the global evolution of logistics which is at the core for the sustainability of our planet.
“Second, to remain the logistics leader by innovating products and services that our customers need most – whether that is to make an e-commerce delivery, design a global supply chain or ship temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals. To achieve this, we will continue to look far into the future, where our goal is to continually strive to convert our innovations into marketable solutions, to make our customers more successful.”
Since first opening in 2007, the DHL Innovation Center has helped to shape logistics innovations together with well-known brands from all over the world as well as leading global research and development institutions. In Singapore, the new DHL Innovation Center will be integrated this year within the new $100 million DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Center, which is currently under construction.
Global distance trade worth €616 billion in 2013 is expected to grow annually by 10.7% until 2018, with innovations being considered as crucial for the development of e-commerce, the German group noted.
