Global logistics giant DHL has launched its Asia Pacific Innovation Center (APIC) in Singapore, its first innovation center outside of Germany that it said is also the first dedicated center for innovative logistics services in the Asia-Pacific region.
The multi-million dollar facility is designed to offer a visionary view of the logistics world, and develop innovative solutions to meet evolving supply chain needs, said a company statement.
The regional innovation platform, located in the DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Center building at Singapore’s Tampines LogisPark, will also invest in capabilities in analytics, e-commerce, and last-mile solutions for Asia-Pacific markets.
“I believe innovative ideas are key for our future success. Our focus on customer-centric innovations and the development of products and services that our customers need most, will help us to remain the logistics leader,” said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group. “By analyzing social, business and technology trends, and converting our innovations into marketable solutions, we will make our customers more successful.”
Launched with the support of the Economic Development Board of Singapore, the APIC showcases futuristic technologies that include augmented reality “smart glasses” for warehouse assembly lines and product picking; drones for delivery of time-critical goods like medicines; maintenance-on-demand vehicles that use machine-to-machine sensors to boost vehicle uptime by 30%; and driverless shuttles for faster, more efficient transportation.
Besides showcasing the latest in logistics trends and innovative solutions, APIC serves as a regional platform for collaborative innovation between DHL, customers, industry partners, and independent experts. The center will drive DHL’s trend research initiatives focusing on emerging trends in Asian logistics and economic activity, said the company.
Bill Meahl, group chief commercial officer, said: “With our emerging markets expected to generate 30 per cent of DHL’s global revenue by 2020, our sustained industry leadership demands that we successfully differentiate our services in these markets through well-calculated forays into new technologies, processes, and products.”