A DHL GoHelp program focuses on disaster management by providing logistics expertise and support to communities affected by natural disasters. DHL has partnered with the International Organization for Migration to this end.

 Photo: GCPeters

Cybersecurity, resilience, and transparency are moving to the top of the supply chain management agenda. Software specialist Ralf Düster explains which trends he believes will be important in 2025. The shortage of skilled workers is a persistent concern, and sustainability and social responsibility are suffering.

Logistics provider Arvato has announced the planned acquisition of ATC Computer Transport & Logistics. The Irish company specializes in transport and technical services for hyperscale data center operators, high-tech freight forwarders, and original equipment manufacturers.

 rolling mill

While others in the fiercely competitive industry are once again suffering billions in losses and fearing for jobs, the Swiss Steel Group, winner of the 2023 German (!) Sustainability Award, is leveraging its lead in "green steel." Based in Düsseldorf and Lucerne, it is promoting decarbonization across borders.

Image: Elain

Mars, manufacturer of brands such as Snickers, Twix, M&M2, Pedigree and Whiskas, is launching a groundbreaking project in Germany together with the logistics group Rigterink, Shippeo and Elain to gain deeper insights into fuel types, consumption and CO2 emissions.

Photo: Coles

Australian food retailer Coles has opened a second distribution center (ADC) in Kemps Creek, 40 km west of Sydney city center, featuring technology from automation specialist Witron. It will supply 226 stores.

 D. Evans

Movianto, the healthcare and pharmaceutical logistics specialist (based in Neuenegg, Switzerland), operates in twelve countries. Paul Wilkinson will leave the UK at the end of May and hand over the UK leadership position to David Evans, who has been with the group since 2011.

The Danish company Alumichem is collaborating with a state-owned water producer in Ghana to improve water treatment efficiency and provide water treatment technologies. Kuehne + Nagel is once again supporting the Ghana Water Company as a logistics partner.

Image: Arvato

Since November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated that pharmaceutical products in the U.S. must be electronically traceable at all times, not just at the batch level, but also at the package level. Arvato is already complying with this requirement in its supply chain.

How long does it take to implement software that gathers complex information from the supply chain, streamlines interfaces, and avoids further chaos? Only seven to eleven weeks, claims Ralf Düster, CEO of software provider Setlog, creator of the "Online Supply Chain Accelerator" OSCA.

 Fig.: Hydrospider

At the end of October, the Basel logistics cluster focused on "green logistics" and the role hydrogen could play in this area. Basel could therefore become Switzerland's hydrogen hub. However, a Federal Council proposal from last week suggests that it may still be some time before that happens. 

Fig.: GS1 Switzerland

Despite the storm in a teacup surrounding the alleged "abolition" of the EAN barcode (which will continue to be available), GS1 Switzerland is touting the important qualities of the 2D code for future supply chains, which is scheduled to be widely available starting in 2027. Coop recently signed a letter of intent.

Logistics isn't the main focus, but it does have its significance at the Swiss Green Economy Symposium, which kicked off with excursions to compressor manufacturer Burkhardt, railway manufacturer Stadler, WinGD, and Zimmer Biomet in Winterthur. Swiss Post, SBB, and urban planners are also participating. 

Th. Wicke

"The coronavirus crisis isn't the only thing that has clearly demonstrated how quickly established processes can become disrupted when just one link in complex supply chains exhibits weaknesses," says Thomas Wicke, CEO of the Schunck Group, in a current trend overview from the International Logistics Hall of Fame. Prevention helps.

The headquarters of the supply chain and automation division of tech giant Körber, which, as reported, recently acquired the transaction was completed in July .