Deutsche Post DHL plans to open the first Asia Pacific Innovation Centre (APIC) in Singaporenext year to pioneer sustainable logistics services and solutions across the region and beyond,
with an initial investment of €6 million.As a partnership with Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), the innovation centre is dueto be launched in the third quarter of 2015 and will be DHL’s second innovation centre in theworld. Its main innovation centre is located in Troisdorf, Germany.
DHL stressed that the Singapore centre will follow the model of the highly-successful Germancentre that has worked with some of the world’s leading companies to create ‘game changing’logistics and supply chain solutions.
The APIC will invest in capabilities in analytics, e-commerce and last mile solutions for AsiaPacific markets, Deutsche Post DHL said. Through innovation workshops, events and forums, thecentre offers a platform to connect customers, innovation partners and industry experts to sharebest practices and transform innovative ideas to solutions.
The APIC’s philosophy is built upon three key principles ‘Inspire, Connect and Engage’. Mei YeePang, Vice President, DHL Asia Pacific Innovation, said: “Through planning of future scenarios oflogistics based on our trends research, we aim to inspire industries to invest in the rightcapabilities for innovative solutions in logistics. We would like to engage our customers to createsuccess stories of innovative solutions that help them be better at what they do.”
The APIC will be located within the new €90 million DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Centre(ARC) building, which is currently under construction in Tampines LogisPark. The ARC will bedesigned for complex multi-sector and multi-user operations, showcasing cutting-edge automationsolutions such as an automated storage and order picking system.
The APIC will also house the region’s first Asian Centre of Competence for Automation and investin research to identify relevant automation technologies for Asian markets. DHL said it willrecruit and train a local team of skilled specialists in automation for the new facility.
Bill Meahl, Chief Commercial Officer at DHL, said: “Innovation is vital to DHL as it allows usnot only to develop new products, but also to breathe new life into our existing portfolio. We arecommitted to work with customers to create efficient, effective logistics through innovativesolutions and services. With this S$10 million initial investment, we are proud of this milestoneand of being a pioneer of innovative logistics solutions which has made us a world marketleader.”
Kelvin Wong, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board, added:“Singapore is proud to be home to DHL’s first Innovation Centre outside of Germany.DHL’s experiencewith innovation and solution development will enhance Singapore’s position as the leading logisticshub in Asia. With the establishment of the centre, businesses can look forward to cutting edgesolutions targeted at harnessing short and long-term supply chain opportunities.”
