DHL Unveils Hands-On-Lab and Trend Radar at Innovation Day

- Showroom at Innovation Center showcases DHL’s R&D approach
- Annual event focuses on importance of innovations and solutions for logistics

Bonn, Germany - -DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, holds its annual Innovation Day in its fifth year today. Two of the highlights presented at the event are a Hands-On-Lab that allows visitors a glimpse into the logistics world of innovation and the Logistics Trend Radar, a dynamic tool that visualizes trends within the industry from different angles. The DHL Innovation Day highlights how significant innovations are for Deutsche Post DHL and the overall logistics sector.

“Our Hands-On-Lab serves as a platform for discussion with our customers and partners about trends and new technologies and their impact on our industry. We showcase prototypes that have been researched and developed by DHL’s Solutions & Innovation department”, says Martin Wegner, Vice President Research & Development, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.

The new lab is an integral part of DHL’s Innovation Center in Germany and makes logistics innovations even more tangible. Visitors are guided through an “innovation funnel” that demonstrates how the company develops innovations and how projects are set up within DHL and with external partners. There is also the chance to experience the customer innovation journey, a structured approach of engagement to generate new ideas and work on business value. Interactive modules of current research & development topics such as 3D-printing are on display, with DHL’s Logistics Trend Radar as the newest addition to the exhibition.

“Unlike other trend studies, the Logistics Trend Radar doesn’t just offer a snapshot of trends at a certain point in time. It is basically a living tool that will be updated regularly with data from reports and research. With the Trend Radar, we aim to stimulate collaborative discussion throughout our business divisions and networks, resulting in innovative ideas that we can develop together”, explains Bill Meahl, Chief Commercial Officer DHL.

The very first edition of the Logistics Trend Radar was created by DHL’s Solutions & Innovation team in cooperation with Detecon Consulting. It is based on social, business and technology trends and evaluates their potential impact on logistics. For future versions, DHL plans to expand the accessible knowledge pool with input from customers and partners.