Left: An artist’s impression of DHL Supply Chain’s Advanced Regional Center (ARC) at Singapore’s Tampines LogisPark, which will house the Asia Pacific Innovation Center (APIC)
Parcel delivery and logistics provider DHL has launched its Asia Pacific Innovation Center (APIC) in Singapore to help develop innovative solutions for the logistics and postal sectors.
The multi-million dollar facility is DHL’s first innovation center outside of Germany, and the first dedicated center for innovative logistics services in the Asia-Pacific region. The center is located within the 104m (US$113m) DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Center (ARC) building at Singapore’s Tampines LogisPark.
Frank Appel, CEO, Deutsche Post DHL Group, said, “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. 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 Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), the APIC showcases futuristic technologies that will transform logistics operations. These include augmented reality ‘smart glasses’ for warehouse assembly-lines and product picking; drones for the delivery of time critical goods such as medicine; maintenance-on-demand (MoDe) vehicles that use machine-to-machine (M2M) sensors to boost vehicle uptime by 30%; and driverless shuttles for faster and 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.
Bill Meahl, chief commercial officer, DHL, said, “With our emerging markets expected to generate 30% 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.
“The launch of the APIC in Singapore is a natural step to maintain our lead as a frontrunner in innovation, following the success of our first center in Germany. Singapore’s position as an innovation hub, its excellent infrastructure and sophisticated workforce make it an excellent base from which we can achieve strong and consistent growth in the region.”
Right: The APIC will contain a number of stands showcasing the latest innovations in the logistics and parcel delivery markets
APIC visitors can choose from a selection
of services including guided innovation center tours, innovation workshops, events and forums. APIC’s exhibits include the centerpiece, which showcases the latest automation and robotics trends in the future of working; Solution Sphere, where visitors can experience a range of DHL capabilities and solutions such as parcel lockers, sensor technologies and warehouse pick-and-pack using voice and lighting systems; Trend Curve, which highlights future trends and their applications for the logistics industry; and Vision Wall, which enables visitors to discover inspirational scenarios on what the world of logistics might look like in the year 2050.
Lee Eng Keat, director, logistics and natural resources, EDB said, “The launch of the APIC is another important step toward enhancing Singapore’s value-adding role in the realm of global supply chain solutions. With DHL as a strategic partner on this journey, Singapore is well positioned to serve the needs and harness the opportunities presented by the dynamic supply chain landscape and emerging technology and trends globally. This would continue to strengthen Singapore’s position as a world-leading logistics hub.”
The Singapore center is modeled after DHL’s first innovation center in Germany, which was re-launched with a brand new look earlier this year. Besides providing a second customer-centric innovation platform that caters to the Asian market, APIC will also invest in capabilities in analytics, e-commerce and last mile solutions for Asia-Pacific markets.
December 9, 2015