Future-proof Technology

New technologies are changing logistics fundamentally. Only those involved in technological innovations will be able to shape this transformation. However, research is not an end in itself. Kuehne + Nagel has a clear aim and put them into practice while keeping the focus on the value delivered to our customers.

In two Innovation Centres, Kuehne + Nagel is testing the usability of new technologies. Finding the best solution for the customers, which may not necessarily be the best solution for the industry, is the task set for employees at the two new Innovation Centres in the Netherlands and in Singapore. Kuehne + Nagel is working on specific applications in both locations with customers, universities and startups. In Utrecht, automation and picking technologies are under examination. In Singapore, the focus is on connected warehouses and, in particular, data analytics and the Internet of Things. This is complemented by agile Innovation Labs across the globe, where teams work on specific software applications for big data technologies, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and block-chain technology. 
 

Blockchain technology has the potential to digitalise supply chains and make them more efficient. However, this requires the collaboration of the largest number of market participants possible. That is why Kuehne + Nagel’s blockchain approach is open and standardised. To gather valuable empirical data, the company is using this technology in real-world applications. Kuehne + Nagel deploys blockchain technology for a VGM portal solution to transfer verified gross mass data from containers to third parties in an existing production environment with 800,000 transactions per month. The solution facilitates the tamper-proof, reliable and verified data exchange between partners and renders additional communication channels superfluous.