Digitisation was the determining factor in the high-calibre panel discussion “Innovation in Logistics” at the 2019 General Meeting of the Austrian Freight Forwarding & Logistics Association (ZV). “Digitalisation is our great opportunity for a re-industrialisation of Austria as a business location. This is particularly reflected in logistics,” said Alexander Friesz, President of the Central Association.
As an example for potential re-industrialisation, Friesz, who is also the CEO of the Lagermax Group, cited 3D printing, which enables more decentralised and customer-oriented production and thus reduces transport distances. At the same time, however, 3D printing represents a great opportunity for logistics companies, which are thus playing an increasingly important role in the supply chain of manufacturing companies. “Our (logistics) service has a value – that must also be paid fairly!”
Erwin Lenhardt of T-Systems International confirmed this in his thesis: “Digitisation is an opportunity for the industry and a challenge for logistics”. Also, he recommended to keep an eye on the market for logistics newcomers and logistics platforms. In addition to the information technology requirements, modern methods of corporate transformation are particularly important for digitisation.
ZV Vice President Peter Umundum, Member of the Management Board of Austrian Post, reported on continuously increasing growth and increasing pressure in the field of CEP services. “Customers expect ever faster deliveries. This can best be met by permanent innovation and consistent digitalisation”. In his view, the key to success will also be the elimination of personnel bottlenecks and the solution of the question of junior staff.
“The future of logistics will be digitally intelligent,” said ZV Vice President Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO Gebrüder Weiss. He presented an overview of innovation potentials ranging from huge process optimisation potentials through data analysis in logistics to the digitisation of the sea freight process using block chains to the development of digital platforms and digital forwarding agencies.
