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As we navigate the ever-evolving world of logistics, we are constantly bombarded with new innovations that claim to be game-changers. However, as we have witnessed with examples like drone delivery, not every innovation can be seamlessly integrated at scale. Pilot programs often uncover major shortcomings and reveal the complexity of the innovation process.

In light of these challenges, it becomes crucial to ask ourselves:

  • Which innovations should we truly investigate in detail?
  • What technologies have the potential to make a tangible difference in our supply chain operations?

We understand the importance of making informed choices amidst the sea of options. That's why we cordially invite you to join us for an insightful event focused on separating the hype from reality. Our aim is to guide you in identifying innovations that have proven their worth in the field and can genuinely transform your supply chain.

Our in-person, cross-sector event "Innovation in Practice" will investigate the latest technologies and solutions that are already boosting logistics operations in either DHL's supply chains or those of selected customers. In this intimate, small-forum conference, delegates are encouraged to reference their own real-world challenges, share best practice, and learn from the valuable experiences of their peers

Agenda / Schedule

17- 18 October 2023

Location

DHL Innovation Center Americas

  • 12:00PM - 1:00PM   Arrival & Lunch

    1:00PM - 1:15PM   Welcome & Introduction

    1:15PM - 1:45PM   Keynote Accelerated Digitalization

    1:45PM - 3:15PM   Warehouse Automation Solutions

    Unloading & Put-away

    3:15PM - 3:45PM Coffee Break

    2:30PM - 3:30PM Warehouse Automation Solutions (2/2)

    Picking & Storage, Packaging & Sortation

    3:15PM - 3:45PM Coffee Break

    4:00PM - 5:00PM   Transport & Visibility Forum

    5:00PM - 5:30PM Innovation Speed Dating

    5:30PM - 6:00PM   Networking & Drinks

    6:00PM - 10:00PM   Dinner

  • 8:30AM - 9:00AM   Arrival, Coffee & Snacks

    9:00AM - 10:00AM   Supply Chain Orchestration:

    10:00AM - 10:30AM   Decarbonizing Supply Chains

    10:30AM - 10:45AM   Coffee Break

    11:00AM - 11:30AM   Innovation in Practice Workshop

    11:30AM - 12:00PM   Look into the Future: DHL Trend Radar 6.0

    12:00PM - 13:00PM   Networking Lunch & Farewell

  • DHL Innovation Centers spearhead the future of logistics and drive customer-centric innovation across the world. A unique platform where attendees can expand networks, hear from leading innovators, connect with new collaborators to truly go beyond potential. A perfect venue for this year’s forum.

    DHL Innovation Center Americas, 9580 W Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA

George Kanupla

Vice President

DHL Supply Chain

Tim Tetzlaff

Global Head of Accelerated Digitalization

DHL Supply Chain

Cedric Grosch

Senior Specialist - IoT Business Development Innovation

DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation

Ben Perlson

Senior Innovation Manager

Robotics & Automation Lead U.S. DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation

Meredith Williams

Senior Director, Solutions Design

DHL Supply Chain

Matthew Dippold

Director, Accelerated Digitalization

DHL Supply Chain

Casimira Federspiel

Director, Accelerated Digitalization

DHL Supply Chain

More to Come...

  • As VP of LLP DHL Supply Chain, George has ten years experience in DHL with various leadership roles and over twenty years experience  in the Supply Chain industry holding leadership positions as shipper, 3pl, and 4pl.  George has spent seven years  in Control Tower oversight supporting all sectors with a focus on integrated solutions, implementation of the LSHC Transport COE, and highly complex transport operations oversight.

    Additionally, spending three years as North America LLP lead with a focus on customer and product growth. Since 2021, George’s responsibility has expanded to include LLP Account Management, Operational Strategy, Continuous Improvement & Engineering, Quality, and Implementations

  • DHL Supply Chain has been at the forefront of realizing the potential of digitalization in logistics. As global head of DHL’s Accelerated Digitalization program, Tim and his team are focused on 12 technology categories to bring digitalization to DHL Supply Chain’s 2,000+ operations worldwide. 

    As a firm believer in a future which is neither fully automated, nor fully human – but both,  join Tim to learn how robotics, automation, and AI complement our human workforce to deliver excellence in a digital world.

  • As Sr. Specialist Business Development & Innovation, Cedric Grosch drives the deployment of connected devices and the implementation of end-to-end Internet of Things solutions across all sectors and DHL business units within the Americas. Furthermore, Cedric also manages innovation projects in collaboration with technology partners, customers and start-ups and is part of the DHL Americas Innovation Center in Chicago.

    His journey at the DHL Group began 2018 with a part-time shop floor job at Deutsche Post alongside his studies. Cedric has a degree in industrial engineering and completed internships at the DHL Innovation Center in Troisdorf and Chicago, before taking on his current role.

  • Ben Works for DHL at the DHL’s Americas Innovation Center: a purpose-built platform to engage customers, startups, and industries on the future of logistics. Ben is a part of the global Innovation and Trend Research team where he works to test and evaluate the next era of logistics focused technology. As a part of the Innovation and Trend Research team, Ben supports Innovation across all technology trends with a strategic focus in Robotics where Ben is the Robotics and Automation lead for the team globally, determining group strategy and bringing the latest cutting-edge technology into DHL operations by working with all types of solution providors in the logistics industry.

    Throughout Ben’s career, he has spent time working with industry leaders in operations, academia, research and development and venture capital across many topics, including but not limited to, robotics, automation, Future of Work, Clean tech and AI to support the ever changing dynamic and growing logistics environment.

    Ben is based in Chicago and has a bachelors and masters in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Iowa.

  • Meredith Williams is the Senior Director of Solutions Design North America and Global Lead for Solutions Design Automation Practice. 

    Meredith has been with DHL for over seven years, and almost 15 years in the 3PL industry, focusing on providing the most efficient and cost-effective solution to the customer through the use of best practices, lean processes, and technology.

    Meredith also supports regional and global design teams to ensure innovative technologies are being researched and designed within the DHL Supply Chain network.

  • Matthew is a Director of Accelerated Digitalization for North America where he orchestrates groundbreaking initiatives that propel DHL Supply Chain to the forefront of innovation. He has over 23 years of experience in the Supply Chain industry and has spent the past 6 years at DHL driving transformational change that is setting new standards in the accelerated digitalization space.

    With a strong team of engineers and a focus on future technologies, he continuously identifies opportunities for growth and development, ensuring that DHL Supply Chain remains agile and responsive in the ever-evolving North American landscape. In a world where change is the only constant, Matthew embraces the calculated risks and leverages data-driven insights to lead the organization into a future of endless possibilities.

  • Casimira Federspiel has 19 years of experience in the distribution and supply chain industry with a focus on deploying and implementing systems and technologies to gain operational efficiencies.

    Casimira has spent the last four years with DHL Supply Chain in the Accelerated Digitalization group deploying technologies within our distribution network. Casimira also supports the regional Supply Chain teams with deploying proven innovation within the North American network.

Key Agenda Themes

Over two half-days with a lively mix of keynote speeches, customer presentations, interactive discussions, and breakout sessions, we will explore successful innovation use cases in:  

Warehousing Operations

Automation and robotics solutions along the warehousing value chain from receiving to dispatch and latest innovations in the area of packaging. 

Transport & Visibility

IoT solutions related to shipment tracking, asset tracking, condition monitoring as well as visibility platforms, battery logistics, new container solutions such as Ocean Secure.

Supply Chain Innovation

Customer spotlight on use cases of supply chain application to sustainability, Lead Logistic Provider (LLP) solutions and platforms. 

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