DHL has presented the first DHL Innovation Award honouring pioneering ideas for logistics solutionsfrom customers, employees and research scientists worldwide.
At the presentation of the DHL Innovation Award yesterday, highly innovative logisticssolutions that have been developed or implemented recently, based on the ideas of customers,employees and scientists, were showcased in the DHL Innovation Centre, which is located close toBonn. The award winners were chosen by a jury of five experts from different institutes andcompanies.
Customers receiving the award include Metro AG and insurance group Allianz. Metro wasrecognised for introducing the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system across France as partof its Future Store Initiative. Each year some 1.3 million pallets are given radio labelling,enabling contactless and automatic monitoring along the entire logistics chain. Insurance groupAllianz has sent all its mail and advertising letters climate-neutrally since July 2008,representing more than 140 million letters a year. Other awards were presented to DPWN staff,partners and researchers for innovative ideas and solutions.
“The logistics industry needs efficient and intelligent solutions in order to master futurechallenges,” said John Allan, DPWN Chief Financial Officer and also responsible for the group’sTechnology and Innovation Management. “Whether it’s climate-neutral shipments of commercial mail orthe seamless monitoring of temperature-controlled high-tech medicines, the solutions from the DHLInnovation Center open up new avenues to respond to tomorrow’s customer requirements. With the DHLInnovation Award, we honour creativity as well as far-sighted entrepreneurship that have enhancedthe logistics industry.”
As the manager of the Group’s patent applications, the DHL Innovation Centre collects ideasfrom employees and assesses whether they might be suitable for patenting. Last year, the Groupapplied for around 100 patents in Germany, making it the country’s most innovative serviceprovider, says DPWN. Since projects are undertaken in association with partners from industry andscience, the award honours also reasoned research scientists and promising young talents.
