DHL has opened a new 5,360m2 Innovation Center in Troisdorf, Germany that will support the development and real-world application of technologies that make supply chains smarter, more sustainable and more resilient.
The new European center replaces DHL’s previous facility and showcases the company’s latest advances, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and technologies that drive sustainability.
The center also serves as a cornerstone in DHL’s Strategy 2030 roadmap, which focuses on smart growth, emission-reduced logistics and digital transformation, with the Innovation Center acting as a catalyst for next-generation logistics solutions.
“Innovation is the engine driving our transformation,” enthused Katja Busch, chief commercial officer DHL and head of DHL customer solutions and innovation (CSI). “The new DHL Europe Innovation Center enables collaboration, driving growth and redefining what’s possible in logistics – by turning ideas into impact. It’s where we co-create the future of logistics together with our customers, partners and employees.”
Constructed from cross-laminated timber and powered by renewable energy, the new DHL Europe Innovation Center operates with zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Capable of hosting up to 400 visitors, it features a flexible, modular layout that adapts to various events and workshops, supporting collaboration and innovation. The center is also home to the DHL CSI team, which plays a key role in driving the group’s global innovation agenda, alongside other teams across DHL contributing to innovation.
Connected ecosystems of innovation
As the global flagship, the new DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany is part of DHL Group’s global network of innovation centers, which also includes facilities located in the Americas (Chicago), Asia Pacific (Singapore), and the Middle East & Africa (Dubai). Together, these centers form a connected ecosystem that enables DHL to identify emerging trends, engage with customers, test new technologies and scale impactful solutions across regions and business units.
Rainer Haag, chief executive officer at DHL Supply Chain Europe, commented, “Today, nearly every customer site we operate has been touched by our innovation agenda. From automation, robotics and IoT sensors to data analytics and AI, intelligent technologies are embedded across all our operations, globally. We firmly believe that innovation only reaches its full potential when implemented at scale – and that’s exactly what we’re doing, delivering real impact for our customers, our employees and our investors. That’s how we help our customers grow – and how we grow alongside them.”
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