DHL Innovation Award 2012: Outstanding ideas and solutions for future logistics

In the category most innovative junior scientist, Dr. Tobias Reggelin was honored for his innovation in the field of logistics flow modeling. His new system represents the simulation of logistics flow processes being suitable for use not only in planning but also throughout the operating phase, e.g. when managing ad-hoc changes.

For the fourth time, Deutsche Post DHL officially recognized pioneering logistics solutions with its DHL Innovation Award.

 

The award ceremony took place recently as part of the DHL Innovation Day. Under the motto “Logistics 2050 – From Science Fiction to Reality”, this all day event focused on trends and future developments in the world of transportation, logistics and urban development. The Innovation Award was presented in four different categories. This year, Renault was awarded as most innovative customer; Dr. Tobias Reggelin from Fraunhofer Institute received the award for most innovative junior scientist while Prof. Dr. Lauri Ojala was honored for his lifetime achievement. The winner in the category most innovative employee is Frank Josefiak, Technical Director at Agheera GmbH, a spin-off of the innovations department of DHL.

 “Innovation and the commitment for developing groundbreaking solutions are key drivers to meet the challenges of our future,” says Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL. “Once again, we are glad to share this pioneering spirit and inspiration with our customers and employees, showcasing new ideas and at the same time discussing the change of society and global trade.” In his speech during the handover ceremony, Appel personally honored the achievements of each award winner.

The most innovative customer award was given to Renault for the successful implementation of an innovative logistical solution – at an early stage. The new generations of Renault’s electric vehicles will be equipped with large Lithium batteries and both the size and the value of the batteries present some significant logistics challenges. In a collaborative effort, Renault and DHL developed a comprehensive solution, covering each of the critical points. The solution offers Renault full visibility of the batteries during warehousing and transport by identification number, temperature control and part level visibility at production level. DHL’s fully ADR compliant network is able to provide an integrated pan-European & -Asian solution in compliance with the legal and physical handling requirements of both new and used batteries, including tail lifts and temperature control. At present, the solution is introduced across Asia & Europe along with the launch of Renault’s electric vehicle range.

In the category most innovative junior scientist, Dr. Tobias Reggelin was honored for his innovation in the field of logistics flow modeling. His new system represents the simulation of logistics flow processes being suitable for use not only in planning but also throughout the operating phase, e.g. when managing ad-hoc changes. The model can be used for developing efficient supply chain and overall logistics processes. Within the project scope, simulation software has been developed and has already been actively and successfully used for various industry projects of the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation.

Prof. Dr. Lauri Ojala received the senior scientist award for his lifetime achievement, sustainably optimizing the logistics industry with his work. As a Professor of Logistics at Turku School of Economics in Finland, Ojala developed the Logistics Performance Index, an interactive benchmarking tool to help countries identify challenges and opportunities in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve it.

The most innovative employee is Frank Josefiak, who reached the impressive number of 21 patent applications for which he either had the initial idea or strongly contributed to the development. Josefiak started with Deutsche Post DHL in 2008 as project manager at DHL Solutions & Innovation, back then he already applied for his first patents, including a method for digital payment procedures and – more recently – the in-flight tracking device DHL SmartSentry.