New Logistics | NRW.GLOBAL Business

NRW is one of the most important logistics hubs in Europe.

With its central location, excellent transport infrastructure and proximity to the major Belgian and Dutch seaports, it offers ideal conditions for the logistics sector. All this makes NRW a leading growth center for the industry.

Tomorrow's logistics requires new approaches that are not only efficient and resource-conserving, but also advance digitalization and internationalization and address the shortage of skilled workers. NRW offers a wide-ranging research landscape and a large number of forward-looking companies that make the logistics location a pioneer of this change.

New Logistics refers to the holistic optimization, increased efficiency and sustainable design of logistics and supply chain processes. This includes not only innovative approaches to infrastructure development on roads, railways, waterways and in the air, but also the integration of state-of-the-art technologies. There is a particular focus on the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and automation to meet the logistics challenges of the future with modern solutions. A large number of stakeholders are working on this, including logistics service providers, e-commerce companies, technology providers, supply chain management software companies, and transportation companies.

"The science and technology location NRW lies in the heart of Europe and is therefore predestined for high performance in logistics research and business. It is no coincidence that in recent years we have been able to establish logistics as one of seven scientific fields of competence in Dortmund and to make the Ruhr region internationally visible as a recognized center for logistics and IT. With the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, in whose research logistics also plays an important role, we also have one of five university AI competence centers in Germany in Dortmund, which will be permanently funded from 2022 as part of the German government's AI strategy."

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel

Institute Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML

24

percent of German New Logistics companies

are based in NRW. That is around 400 companies in NRW, employing 8,100 people

9

of the 25 largest logistics companies in Germany

have their headquarters in NRW

¼

of all logistics centers in Germany

are located in NRW, e.g. Amazon, Esprit, TK Maxx, Zalando

Logistics in transition: NRW companies for efficiency and sustainability

NRW is home to numerous companies that are revolutionizing the logistics sector with innovative solutions. They use technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence and blockchain to make supply chains as efficient and sustainable as possible. The close interlinking of logistics and digitalization is creating new business models and services that will strengthen NRW's economy in the long term.

Where innovation meets ideal conditions

The country's most populous region offers young companies an ideal ecosystem to not only develop their forward-looking ideas for the logistics sector, but also to successfully implement them and establish themselves in the market.

The New Logistics sector is striving for more efficient, sustainable and flexible logistics. A central trend is consolidated goods logistics, where products from different companies are transported together to optimize vehicle utilization and reduce urban traffic. Startups such as Liefergrün offer innovative digital supply chain solutions that tailor the operational planning of delivery and returns solutions to the individual needs of companies.

Another trend is comprehensive services for bulky goods that are difficult to transport. Startups such as brenger make it possible for individuals and SMEs to transport furniture and other bulky goods. This means that office moves, for example, can be handled holistically, from planning through packing to relocation.

A further trend is the use of robots to assist in the warehouse. Robots such as the modular MalocherBot from Unchained Robotics perform tasks such as sorting, palletizing, and automating machine loading to improve warehouse efficiency and ergonomics.

University and research landscape

Research institutes and universities in NRW: drivers of logistics innovation

Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML in Dortmund deals with many aspects of logistics, from planning and control to process optimization and the development of new technologies. A recent example of IML's work is the Forestguard pilot project, which uses open source technology to develop deforestation-free supply chains. The technology is based on blockchain and combines it with artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and geographic information systems. The project is an important contribution to the implementation of the EU regulation that requires certain raw materials and products to be imported into the EU's single market only if they are not linked to deforestation and forest degradation.

Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS

The Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS in Sankt Augustin is working on the development of new technologies to make the logistics of the future more intelligent and efficient. The focus is on artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data. For example, Fraunhofer IAIS is working on intelligent goods flow management, an AI-based solution for distribution in logistics.

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT)

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT in Sankt Augustin works on the development and use of information technologies in various application areas, including logistics. The goal is to use new technologies to make logistics processes more efficient, sustainable and customer-oriented. One example of Fraunhofer FIT's work is the KINLI project, which is developing an AI-based solution for monitoring food quality in supply chains, particularly for meat products.

OWL University of Applied Sciences

The Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) University of Applied Sciences is also active in the field of New Logistics. Its own "Laboratory for Technical Logistics" focuses on stationary and mobile robotics. The laboratory researches and develops new technologies and solutions for the automation and digitalization of logistics processes. One example is the KonVa project, which is implementing a system of contour-variable automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The AGVs will be able to flexibly adapt to the shapes of warehouses and production facilities and dynamically change their contours depending on the situation, for example to avoid obstacles. This will enable them to operate in complex environments.

University of Duisburg-Essen

The Chair of Transport and Logistics Systems at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) deals with the planning, organization and control of transport and logistics systems. Special attention is paid to the development of innovative solutions that meet the requirements of a sustainable and urban society. In the research project Competence Network Urban-Industrial Supply, for example, the Chair is working on improving the sustainability of logistics in urban areas.

Cluster & Netzwerke

Photo credits

The photographic material was kindly provided by

© Shutterstock, Fit Ztudio
© Fraunhofer IML
© Shutterstock, metamorworks
© AdobeStock, ipopba
© Fiege Group
© Rhenus SE & Co. KG
© John van Groendaal & Delta Development
© Rhein Kreis Neuss
© Shutterstock, tech_BG
© Smart City Loop
© Shutterstock, Robb Shaffer
© Shutterstock, NicoElNino
© Shutterstock, Andrii Yalanskyi
© TH OWL, Prof.‘in Dr.-Ing. Li Li/M. Eng. Julian Pölert
© Shutterstock, Suwin66

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North Rhine-Westphalia has long since ceased to be just the land of heavy industry and staid SMEs. In a dynamic environment of excellent research clusters, innovative startups, world market and industry leaders and globally active SMEs, a federal state has developed that stands for economic success in Germany like no other. Whether e-mobility, cyber security, Industry 4.0 or biotech or medtech: In NRW, people are already working on the future.