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Category: Logistics

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Logistics news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Cathay Pacific selects DHL to manage aircraft service parts logistics

    Cathay Pacific selects DHL to manage aircraft service parts logistics

    DHL Supply Chain has commenced management of all aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul logistics activities for Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon in the airlines’ home base at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), part of a 10-year contract signed earlier this year.

    The contract will see DHL Supply Chain take overall responsibility for the storage, warehousing and domestic transportation of 80,000 specific aviation part types, components and equipment used to maintain Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon’s combined fleet of 180 aircraft to the highest safety and operational standards. DHL Supply Chain will also work with incumbent aircraft maintenance provider HAECO to provide additional services including parts inspection and airside operations.

    Cathay Pacific Director, Engineering, Neil Glenn, said: “Operational efficiency and quality are imperative to Cathay Pacific. Aircraft maintenance and repairs require constant precision and care, which is supported by the efficient storage, handling and on-demand provisioning of vast numbers of spare parts.”

    “As such, we are delighted to have engaged DHL Supply Chain as our logistics partner. DHL has an excellent reputation and is tasked to perform safe and efficient supply chain management and handling in extremely complex environments, which adheres to Cathay Pacific’s rigorous compliance requirements and operational standards.”

    “The arrangement that we now have in place allows all three parties to concentrate on their specific core capabilities, namely: airline management (Cathay Pacific), aircraft maintenance (HAECO) and now, DHL will be responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) supply chain management,” added Mr. Glenn.

    A core team of 120 trained DHL Supply Chain specialists operate on a 24x7x365 basis, managing more than 90,000 sq. ft of warehousing space, processing 1 million unit of spares transaction per annum, round-the-clock transport delivery, and reporting and governance procedures. Operations commenced after approval was obtained from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and nearly four months of intensive onboarding and training involving DHL Supply Chain, Cathay Pacific and HAECO.

    DHL Supply Chain will begin introducing process improvements and implement new supply chain systems within the initial phase of the contract.

  • Young entrepreneurs impress at FedEx/JA ITC 2017

    Young entrepreneurs impress at FedEx/JA ITC 2017

    FedEx Express announced the winners of the Singapore FedEx Express/JA International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) 2017.

    The three pairs of student business teams who advanced to the Asia Pacific FedEx/JA ITC in Singapore occurring from August 20 to 24, 2017 are:

    1. Ryan Ling and Dogiparthy Reshma Ishwarya – Anderson Junior College

    2. Darren Lim and Nabila Syuhada – ITE College Central

    3. Ang Swee Yang and Tjhe Paramita Devi – Nanyang Polytechnic

    The finalist teams presented their ideas to a judging panel composed of FedEx and Junior Achievement representatives, who evaluated them on their innovative ideas for a household product to be sold in India. The winning teams were assessed based on the originality of their concept, thoroughness of research for their business plans, and feasibility of their ideas. Outshining 12 other teams, the winning teams will now have the opportunity to compete in the prestigious regional finals.

    This year’s regional finals will feature an exciting change from the previous competition format. To further promote cross-border collaboration, finalists will not be competing in the same team but will instead go through a random shuffle to form a mixed team of two team members from different countries.

  • Wärtsilä and DHL deploy mobile robots to streamline warehouse operations

    Wärtsilä and DHL deploy mobile robots to streamline warehouse operations

    Wärtsilä and DHL deploy cutting-edge mobile robots from Fetch Robotics to streamline warehouse operations

    The technology group Wärtsilä and DHL have completed a successful pilot, where the companies tested mobile robots of Fetch Robotics. The pilot was carried out in Wärtsilä’s central distribution centre in Kampen, the Netherlands, where the entire logistics chain of Wärtsilä’s spare parts, from order intake to customer delivery, is managed. As Wärtsilä’s partner, DHL runs the warehouse operations.

    The aim of the project was to investigate possibilities to utilize the latest technology innovations in the daily operations of the warehouse. Wärtsilä and DHL also wanted to gain more understanding of the added value of robotics in a warehouse environment and to learn about the human–technology interface between robots and employees.

    The mobile robot system simplifies point to point material handling. Workflows at Wärtsilä’s warehouse can be set up and modified very quickly to accommodate today’s dynamic environments, without the need for complex programming. Workers can interact with the robots via touchscreen and send them on their journeys with a push of a button.

    “Our colleagues took center stage during the trial. The robots are designed to work alongside employees and to relieve them from physically strenuous tasks. The robots alone took over a walking distance of more than 30 kilometers per day, thereby increasing productivity and safety within the warehouse working environment,” says Denis Niezgoda, Robotics Accelerator Lead, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.

    The autonomous mobile robots have a loading capacity of 78 kilograms and can cover a distance of two meters per second. When the battery life of maximum nine hours comes to an end, the freight robot independently makes its way to the charging unit. The intelligent robots recognize their location and surroundings, and can differentiate between dynamic and static obstacles, thus enabling evasive action to work safely with and around people.

  • Consoveyo Singapore enters two key Asian markets

    Consoveyo Singapore enters two key Asian markets

    Consoveyo Singapore, part of Körber Logistics Systems, is proud to announce new projects with Zuellig Pharma Vietnam Ltd (Zuellig Pharma) in Vietnam and Thai Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) in Thailand. For both projects, Consoveyo will provide automated logistical technologies in a total of three new warehouse installations. These solutions include Consoveyo’s Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), Conveyors, Rail Guided Vehicles and Lifter Systems including Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). A Warehouse Management System (WMS) will also be implemented by Inconso, a company under the Körber Logistics System.

    Poul Lorentzen, general manager at Consoveyo Singapore, shared, “Both projects are significant additions to Consoveyo’s growing list of references in Asia. Vietnam and Thailand are important markets for Consoveyo, and we are proud that Consoveyo is becoming increasingly recognized by leading companies in both countries. These two projects also showcase Consoveyo’s capabilities in tailoring our first-in-class automated warehousing solutions, and demonstrate our abilities to support various industries and different clients.”

    Zuellig Pharma

    Marking Consoveyo’s first foray into Vietnam, the project with Zuellig Pharma saw Consoveyo providing an efficient transport system within the client’s new warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City. To increase warehouse efficiency, Zuellig Pharma had to ensure that its pharmaceutical products can move between floors effortlessly.

    Proposing a modified conveyor and lifter solution for Zuellig Pharma, Consoveyo provided two units of pallet lifters with safety interlocks and buffer conveyors for pallet input and output. Consoveyo also ensured that its solution could interface directly with supplemented pallet jacks or forklifts. In addition to supplying and installing its conveying solutions, Consoveyo provided Zuellig Pharma’s warehouse operators with training, allowing them to achieve higher levels of warehouse productivity.

    A spokesperson at Zuellig Pharma shared, “This warehouse plays a crucial part in our overall Reach and Access corporate strategy to focus on making healthcare more accessible to all Vietnamese. With Consoveyo’s comprehensive solution and support, we are now one step closer to our goal.”

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  • Dachser Thailand expands Bangkok branch

    Dachser Thailand expands Bangkok branch

    The Dachser Bangkok branch has moved into a spacious new facility in the conveniently located Huaykwang district. The large open space gives plenty of room for the growing team and business volume.

    “Relocation to the new premises reflects our continuous development in Thailand,” said Christophe Vincent, managing director Air & Sea Logistics Thailand. “Last year, we celebrated the opening of our Bangkok airport office and the relocation of our Laem Chabang branch. It was now time to move our Bangkok branch into bigger premises to consolidate our back-office, sales and operations and to accommodate the expanding team.”

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  • Australia Post appoints new MD and group CEO

    Australia Post appoints new MD and group CEO

    Ex-Blackmores chief, Christina Holgate, has today been announced as the new chief of Australia Post effective from October, after a ‘global search that identified her as the outstanding candidate’ to lead the company in its transformation program.

    Holgate will be the corporation’s next managing director and group CEO, and succeeds the departing Ahmed Fahour who will step down next month after seven-and-a-half years in the role.

    Holgate joins after nine years as CEO of Blackmores and previous executive roles with Telstra, JP Morgan and Cable & Wireless.

    The Turnbull Government issued a statement welcoming the appointment of Holgate.

    Following direction by Government in February 2017, the remuneration of Australia Post’s new chief is now subject to oversight by the Remuneration Tribunal, an independent statutory authority. The government said consistent with the parameters set by the Remuneration Tribunal, the Australia Post board has agreed to a total remuneration of $1.375 million and performance pay of up to $1.375 million per annum.

    Malcolm Turnbull had previously called on Fahour to take a voluntary pay cut and was critical of the $4.4 million salary and a $1.2 million bonus Fahour was paid last year, labelling it part of a “cult of excessive executive CEO remuneration”.

    Australia Post chairman, John Stanhope, said the past seven years had seen the company “transformed into Australia’s leading parcels and e-commerce company” with critical reforms introduced to its letters service. He said Holgate had a demonstrated track-record of delivering results in large, complex organisations, both here in Australia and internationally.

    “The Board was impressed by her experience of working very successfully in a range of different industries that are highly regulated. And, on top of that, she has a proven ability to implement strategy – and successfully grow a business in Asia,” he said.

    Stanhope also said Holgate’s business philosophy was a strategic fit for the company. “She is a firm believer that businesses must perform commercially, but also serve the community. And that’s entirely consistent with our objectives as a community-based business that has both commercial objectives and community service standards to uphold.”“Her knowledge of global e-commerce will be invaluable as we pursue our Asian Strategy, which is all about offering logistics support to Australian businesses that are either selling in Asia, or sourcing their products there.”

    The Australia Post Board today also announced that its group chief customer officer, Christine Corbett, will lead the business through the CEO transition period – between Fahour’s departure on 28 July and Holgate’s arrival in October.

    Corbett joined Australia Post in 1990 and has extensive experience working in key leadership roles across retail, mail network, major change, strategy, marketing and communications.

    Holgate said she felt privileged to be appointed as CEO of such an iconic Australian corporation and she looked forward to building on the achievements of her predecessors.

    “Australia Post has proven itself to be one of the most resilient and successful postal businesses anywhere in the world.  I feel fortunate to be joining at a time when we can really strengthen Post’s leading position in the e-commerce market – both here, in Australia, and in Asia,” Holgate said.

    “I’m a passionate advocate for Australian business seizing the opportunity that’s on our doorstep in Asia and that creates opportunities for everyone – our workforce, our shareholder, the community, as well as businesses across Australia.

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  • JYSK Nordic, DHL sign 5-year supply chain management agreement

    JYSK Nordic, DHL sign 5-year supply chain management agreement

    DHL International Supply Chain has signed an exclusive five-year contract extension with JYSK Nordic, part of the JYSK Group. As an international chain with Scandinavian roots, JYSK sells everything for the home in over 2,500 stores in 48 countries. As part of the agreement, DHL International Supply Chain manages JYSK Nordic’s inbound flow with an integrated supply chain solution including online vendor booking and Purchase Order management services. DHL will continue to handle an annual volume of approximately 55,000 TEUs, predominantly from Asia as well as the Mediterranean, Latin America and the Middle East into the EMEA region.

    “We are very pleased that our service to JYSK Nordic has resulted in a contract extension and look forward to continue to service JYSK Nordic with a strong supply chain solution that will assist them in growing their business successfully” says Chris Arnold, Head of Operations Nordics & Central Eastern Europe, DHL Global Forwarding International Supply Chain.

    JYSK Nordic opened their first store in Denmark in 1979. While all over the world JYSK works under the same brand, the stores in Germany and Austria are called Dänisches Bettenlager.

    All services to JYSK are delivered through the dedicated DHL International Supply Chain team in Scandinavia, supported by a strong operational set-up throughout Asia and the Middle East region. Transparent, fast and reliable management of all shipments in the JYSK Nordic supply chain is achieved through full end-to-end visibility of all Purchase Orders down to item level – from order placement through to fulfillment.

    “The DHL solution has provided better control and visibility in our supply chain and brings real value to JYSK, especially through online vendor booking and the EDI connections. We see that the solution has supported our continued efforts to streamline and improve our inbound flow and look forward to continuing to grow our successful partnership with DHL”, comments Loui Andreasen, Shipping Manager JYSK Nordic.

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  • XPO awarded chilled warehousing contract for BrewDog

    XPO awarded chilled warehousing contract for BrewDog

    XPO Logistics has signed a contract with craft beer pioneer BrewDog, one of the UK’s fastest-growing food and drinks companies. XPO will provide class-leading temperature-controlled warehousing for BrewDog’s stockholding of craft beer at a multi-user, 125,000 square foot facility in Mossend, Scotland.

    The Aberdeen-based brewery – founded in 2008 by James Watt and Martin Dickie – has grown from a two-man team in 2007 to over 600 employees and ships beer to more than 55 countries around the world.

    “The team is bringing freshly filled bottles, cans and kegs from our production site to the facility in Mossend, where each batch is carefully chilled to a steady 8ºC and then assembled for onward distribution to BrewDog customers and our own chain of over 50 pubs across Europe,” said BrewDog’s Stephen McCrindle, customer service and logistics manager. He added, “The quality of our product underpins our business, and it’s important to us that we are in XPO’s experienced hands when it comes to managing our supply chain.”

    XPO has introduced a system interface between its enterprise software and BrewDog’s that improves stock visibility of kegs, cans, bottles and coasters, order processing speed and accuracy to create a more dynamic supply chain.

    Peter Fuller, XPO Logistics business unit director, said: “The growth trajectory of BrewDog has been phenomenal. The business previously operated on a ‘make it and sell it’ model using its own shared storage and production facilities, but it has now far outgrown these. We’re providing BrewDog with the sophisticated storage and supply chain facilities that a fast-growing company of this size needs.”

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  • Bolloré Logistics Singapore launches new hub to support l’Occitane

    Bolloré Logistics Singapore launches new hub to support l’Occitane

    Bolloré Logistics Singapore is expanding its regional footprint in Singapore by launching a new Regional Distribution Center in order to support the development of its longtime partner L’Occitane en Provence.

    Kicked-off on June 1st, 2017, Bolloré Logistics’ new hub is providing L’Occitane en Provence a one-stop-solution covering freight import & export on the Asian markets, warehousing, kitting and labeling operations. As a second phase, L’Occitane en Provence has also entrusted Bolloré Logistics to handle their National Distribution Center in China, with a go-live in August.

    These facilities will allow L’Occitane to cater for the needs of their future growth. The opening of the new regional platform with a capacity of over 10,000-sqm marks the launch of the 8th Hub for Bolloré Logistics Singapore confirming its leading market expertise in logistics and freight management for the cosmetics industry. This state-of the-art facility is set to deliver operations with excellent efficiency.

    The new Regional Distribution Center will provide an agile, productive and cost effective solution enabling L’Occitane en Provence to meet a constantly
    evolving and demanding time to market.

    “Customer satisfaction has always been top priority for L’Occitane en Provence. In an effort to come even closer to our customers in Asia-Pacific, we have launched a Regional Distribution Center to overtake the central distribution model,” says Mr. Lorenzo Giacomoni – VP Group Operations at L’Occitane en Provence.

    “We have been developing this project with L‘Occitane for many years. This Regional Distribution Center – as well as the forthcoming opening of the 5,000-sqm National Distribution Center for the Chinese market in Shanghai – both mark a new era for our long term partnership. We are thrilled and proud to accompany L’Occitane and address their future supply chain requirements,” mentions Mr. Yves Laforgue, Chief Operating Officer at Bolloré Logistics Asia Pacific.

    Mr. Fabien Giordano, Managing Director at Bolloré Logistics Singapore, adds: “We are pleased to have established a reference model in the cosmetics industry thanks to our innovative solutions coupled with our matured – yet continuously improving – operational practices, to make our customers’ supply chains more responsive, agile and cost efficient.”

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  • Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress honoured in Digital Technology Award win

    Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress honoured in Digital Technology Award win

    The Fleet Xpress service from Inmarsat has secured the prestigious Seatrade Award 2017 for Digital Technology, one of the maritime industry’s leading honours, which recognises technical innovation.

    Given to acknowledge the most significant contribution to “moving the maritime industry along the digital technology track”, the Seatrade 2017 Digital Technology Award winner is selected by a special panel of judges, appointed by Seatrade for their knowledge of “Intelligent Shipping”.

    Inmarsat Maritime senior vice president market strategy, Drew Brandy, accepted the Award on June 30th. He said: “This is a reward for our entire Inmarsat team, recognising the extraordinary work behind the development, launch and delivery to market of Fleet Xpress. Setting a new standard in maritime communications, Fleet Xpress constitutes shipping’s real-world digital revolution, bringing unrivalled vessel efficiency and communication benefits to crew, and reinforcing our firm commitment to the future of connectivity at sea. With more than 10,000 ships now committed to Fleet Xpress, this award underpins the success of the service.”

    Fleet Xpress is the ‘first and only’ globally-available, high-speed satellite network owned and managed by a single operator. It is an innovative service platform that is delivering the benefits of continuous connectivity, big data and ‘digital disruption’ to shipping.

    Brandy said that the rapid uptake of Inmarsat Maritime’s Fleet Xpress since its launch in March 2016 demonstrated that shipping can participate fully in the digital revolution, at a time when the term ‘innovation’ is often overused in the maritime industry. The service delivers game-changing maritime connectivity, enabling a powerful combination of vessel efficiency gains and improved business intelligence analytics that changes the way shipping does business, he said.

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  • DHL Express looks at introducing StreetScooter in India

    DHL Express looks at introducing StreetScooter in India

    DHL Express, a group company of Deutsche Post DHL, which saw 8 per cent growth in volume terms in the March quarter, is eyeing India’s 7 per cent economic growth and is also exploring introduction of its electric van, StreetScooter, used for delivery of letters and parcels.

    The company, which plans to double the production capacity of its own e-vehicles from 10,000 to 20,000 by the end of 2017, sees municipal authorities, strategic partners and large fleet customers in Germany and the rest of Europe, in particular, as potential buyers. Ken Lee, CEO, Asia Pacific, and Rs. Subramanian, Senior V-P and Country Manager, DHL Express Asia, spoke to us on the company’s plans.

    Where does India stand in your growth plans?

    Ken Lee: From a growth perspective, India presents itself to us as one of the countries with biggest growth areas. Pakistan could be another growth area, but there could be slight concern from the political security perspective. Hong Kong is slightly saturated, though every country has opportunities and challenges.

    What is your view on the digitisation push in India?

    Lee: The more-developed economies are more transparent, and are slightly more efficient. For developing economies, which are at the start of the digitisation phase, there will be a learning curve. But, eventually they will get there.

    What’s your take on the regulatory environment in different countries?

    Lee: Last year, the Philippines raised their de-minimis. We are expecting the same for Indonesia this year. So, where they are going, depends on various countries. (De-minimis is minimum dollar value of cargo that can be permitted through duty-free channels).

    Would you like the de-minimis to go up?

    At this point, we are all focussed on India’s GST reform. There will be opportunities and we are happy to take a lead to work. A higher de-minimis value smoothens the trade flow, allowing products to be “duty free”.

    And, to be fair to the government, they cannot give you everything for free. They have to collect some tax revenues. We are not there to dictate. But, we want the government to come out with initiatives that only facilitate trade.

    Do you see governments becoming more protectionist?

    Lee: No, I do not. Globalisation versus protectionism has been a hot topic in the past five-six months. But, generally, nobody is opposing globalisation. In the context of inequalities in trade, people have been calling for more fair and sustainable trade agreements.

    Subramanian: The direction is the same – sometimes it is fast and sometimes it is slow. Globalisation cannot go away, the benefits are here.

    Have you felt any impact of the change in the pace of globalisation?

    Lee: If there was any change, it would have impacted our business. First quarter, we are doing extremely well…India is expected to grow at 7 per cent till 2020. China is also expected to grow in single digit, but from a very big base. So, growth is seen in a relative context.

    Are there any new innovations on the cards?

    Lee: We started manufacturing our own StreetScooter. It is not a scooter actually, it is an electric vehicle. We are working with various governments to see how we can work with regulations about registration.

    What’s your take on the recent Petya ransomware impact on business?

    This should not happen to anybody….. One of our big competitors may have gotten impacted. But, whoever gets affected, there is bound to be a cascading effect. Our antenna is up. We had to make sure our systems were not impacted.

    On the positive side, we can be proud that our systems were pretty robust….We have realised one thing, that we cannot take anything for granted. We are watching the cyberspace very carefully.

    The IT systems got impacted and people had to go back to paperwork and start depending on phone calls to get business going…

    …Which is a pretty sad thing, because digitisation is the way forward.

    Not just us, but more and more companies are going to start putting more investments in this area. Even in India, I am really happy that the Prime Minister is driving Digital India, which will take the whole economy to the next level.

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  • DB Schenker On-Track in Driving Rail Freight Solutions for Customers across Asia Pacific

    DB Schenker On-Track in Driving Rail Freight Solutions for Customers across Asia Pacific

    Since inaugurating the first Beijing – Hamburg rail link in 2008, DB Schenker has since developed an unparalleled portfolio of Euro-Asia Rail door-to-door services, linking China with Germany and the rest of Europe – such as Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Hefei, Suzhou, Shenyang, Wuhan, Yiwu, Zhengzhou with Duisburg, Hamburg, Leipzig, Nuremburg, as well as Lodz, London, Lyon, Tilburg, Warsaw, and many others.

    “Having pioneered the rail service between China and Europe some 10 years ago, we are today in a unique position as the market leader for both LCL and FCL. We are proud to be recognized as such and we will continue to drive innovation around our rail products to and from China”, said Mr Thomas Sorensen, CEO for North and Central China.

    Along with the Pan-Australia Rail solutions network (linking Sydney to Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth), and the Trans-Java Rail solutions in Indonesia (linking Jakarta with Surabaya and Semarang), DB Schenker offers the gamut of daily/regular Full-Container-Load (FCL), Less-than-Container-Load (LCL), Block-trains, multi-customer, reefer services and so on, to customers in the Automotive, Electronics, Industrial/Chemicals, Consumer Goods, and other sectors.

    At the recent Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards (AFLAS) held on 29th June 2017, DB Schenker was again ranked as the Best Logistics Service Provider – Rail for the second year running. Having won AFLAS awards in all major logistics related categories in the past, including Best Logistics Service Provider – Sea Freight and Air Freight as well as Best Road Haulier, DB Schenker’s heritage and pedigree in Rail offers truly peerless inter-modal solutions for shippers in Asia.

    “Incorporating comprehensive Rail Logistics Services into our suite of solutions unleashes a higher level of robustness, to achieve the optimal balance in calibrating Cost, Lead Time, Risk Mitigation, and Environmental Impact in the supply chain”, added Mr Norman Mummery, SVP Contract Logistics/SCM for Asia Pacific.

    “We are humbled and thankful to win this award for the second year in a row, voted by shippers and peers from the industry.  As a pioneer and first-mover in Rail among Global 3PLs for Asia, we are unrelenting in pushing the limits to strengthen our network and take our customers further”, says Ditlev Blicher, CEO of DB Schenker in Asia Pacific.

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  • DHL and Latvian Railways join forces to boost Baltic-China trade

    DHL and Latvian Railways join forces to boost Baltic-China trade

    Baltic and Nordic exporters can look forward to faster, cheaper and more reliable logistics connections to China’s immense export market, following the signing of a new agreement between Latvia’s State Joint Stock Company Latvijas dzelzceļš (LDz) and DHL Global Forwarding.

    The Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MUC) signed between both companies will see both organisations focus on establishing multimodal rail connections between China and Latvia, including both freight connections and consolidation services centred in Riga City. Under the MUC, new connections will include guaranteed transit times and simplified customs and handling procedures for inbound and outbound cargo, as well as support for more flexible shipments such as Less-than-Container Load (LCL) freight.

    “So far, very few Baltic or Nordic businesses have fully tapped into the immense market opportunities that China and the broader Asia Pacific region currently offer,” said Steve Huang, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Greater China. “The two regions’ exports made up only 0.7% of China’s imports on average between 2011 to 2015, despite China’s demand for overseas goods which both regions excel in — like high-quality food products, textiles, and pharmaceuticals — growing rapidly in this time.[1]”

    “With the economies of Latvia and its neighbours expected to grow faster than the rest of the European Union,[2] businesses in the region will need to look to new markets like China to fuel their expansion. By building rapid, reliable logistics connections between the Baltic and Asia Pacific, we hope to give the region’s businesses a strong foundation for ongoing growth.”

    The MUC comes as DHL begins service along its newest Asia-Europe multimodal route connecting Shenzhen to Minsk via rail. DHL holds similar agreements with national rail providers in Belarus, Chengdu, and other major hubs along China’s proposed “Belt and Road” trade routes.

    “DHL has led the way in realising the Belt and Road’s opportunities for numerous countries, including the Nordic states that its Shenzhen-Minsk route will directly service,” said president of LDz, Edvīns Bērziņš. “This new agreement will give Latvian businesses the flexibility and confidence to engage in freer trade with Chinese and Asian markets, as well as establish Latvia as a strategic gateway along the Belt and Road to other parts of Europe — a twofold boost to the country’s production and logistics industries.”

    The MUC also includes provisions for ocean freight and intermodal shipping between Latvia, Scandinavia, and the UK and Ireland, as well as air and road freight connections to major cities across continental Europe.

  • Logistics industry has some catching up to do with digitisation

    Logistics industry has some catching up to do with digitisation

    The degree of digitisation in the logistics industry is still not very high – in fact, it only came in tenth in an industry ranking, putting it dead last amongst the ten economic sectors studied. These were the findings of the “Branchenatlas Digitale Transformation” study conducted by the Digital Intelligence Institute on behalf of d.velop.

    According the study, it is at the strategic level that the logistics industry is furthest behind, with just 18 percent of logistics companies surveyed stating that the digital transformation was of fundamental strategic importance. For all of the others, it is not clear who is driving strategic development or where the responsibility lies.

    The continuing widespread reliance on paper documentation is also hindering the digital transformation. In fact, only one in five logistics companies has at least 80 percent of their business processes organised primarily digitally and free of media discontinuities.

    Furthermore, the companies displayed relatively little willingness to invest in digital business models, with just 17 percent currently planning additional funds for projects pertaining to the digital transformation.

    The industry with the highest level of digitisation is currently the information and communication technology sector, followed at some distance by banking and insurance, media and entertainment, and the electronics industry.

    Start-ups: interface to new logistics

    A number of young companies and innovative start-ups have focused on the digitisation of processes in the field of logistics, developing digital business models that they will be presenting at Hypermotion from 20 to 22 November 2017.

    One of these firms is Loadfox, a technology start-up based in Munich that offers a freight-pooling service. This makes things easier for freight forwarders and carriers, facilitating the work of transport enterprises in Germany. An intelligent algorithm combines partial loads in order to create profitable routes. As a result, the utilisation of existing truck capacities is optimised, traffic volume is reduced, emissions are cut and the profitability of participating transport companies is increased.

    Mesaic Technology GmbH, a start-up from Hamburg, has developed a solution that helps companies deal with changed consumer behaviour and increasing customer requirements for logistics such as on-demand and same-day delivery. In order to make communications between companies, service partners and customers in the delivery process as simple and efficient as possible, the company has developed its own platform that intelligently networks service providers and customers in Messenger.

    Metrilus GmbH, a young Erlangen-based firm, has developed a system for automatic freight measurement. With the help of multiple real-time 3D cameras and sensors, an app can be used to dimension packages and even entire pallets, in order to calculate their length, width and height within seconds. In addition, it can be connected to existing systems, e.g. for determining weight, without difficultly.

    Berlin-based start-up M2MGo, established in 2013, is dedicated to “fast and simple networking”, in order to process raw data in real time. The enterprise content management system allows even non-programmers to create custom and complex applications, portals and apps for the internet of things / Industry 4.0 as simply as with a modular system using drag & drop, without doing any programming. Furthermore, legacy systems, device data and APIs can be integrated with ease. That saves time and money.

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  • DHL brings Gorenje’s household appliances to the world

    DHL brings Gorenje’s household appliances to the world

    DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group, has taken over responsibility for the international and domestic cargo transport needs of Gorenje Group. DHL will support the international transfer of goods to help one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of household appliances to follow their growth plans and extend their business on a global level. The agreement comprises the processing of the company’s logistic needs in 90 countries. The contract came into effect in January and comprises an annual freight volume of approximately 2,200 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU).

    “Knowing Gorenje Group for over six years and knowing their needs and expectations in detail enables us to offer tailor-made solutions. DHL is adding real value to Gorenje’s business by aligning all processes efficiently and replicable as well as providing opportunities for further progress,” said Sabine Eisses, country manager Slovenia and Croatia, DHL Global Forwarding.

    Good contacts to Gorenje suppliers and customers
    Within its 66 year lasting company history, Gorenje Group has developed two global and six local brands. Gorenje Group manufactures technologically advanced, energy-efficient household appliances like for example fridges, washing machines, laundry dryer and ovens. The group is well known for its tasteful and modern design and has a particularly strong presence in e.g. Eastern Europe, Finland, Austria and Russia.

    DHL Global Forwarding Slovenia keeps good contacts to Gorenje suppliers and customers in order to support smooth and timely pick-up and deliveries and provide immediate updates on the status of their cargo. DHL has furthermore evaluated a competitive mix of transportation providers and selected premium carriers with space and equipment capacity to serve regular flows of the company and support their growing business. The main trade lanes are imports from China via Hamburg to Nuremberg and exports from Slovenia to Australia which will be handled via seaway and overland.

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