Securing the future of German logistics with intelligence

LogiMAT 2014 offered an overview of the trends, but also a look at the changing self-image of the logistics industry

The motto of this year's LogiMAT says a lot about the logistics industry's new self-image: "Intelligent networking - mastering complexity". Intelligence, networking, management of complex processes - these are the answers to the challenges of the present and future that German logistics is facing as a result of increased international competition, growing customer demands and technological innovations. The trade fair made it clear that logistics companies today see themselves as providers of highly flexible solutions that are tailored to the individual problems and requirements of their customers: "Every case is a special case," as one exhibitor aptly put it. And such solutions can only be realised if complex processes can be mastered.

A tour of the six exhibition halls at the New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre made it clear just how important the technology factor has become within logistics - and what growth this trend still has in store. The 1,004 exhibitors from 26 countries, who took advantage of the 74,000 square metres of exhibition space, presented countless innovations that - in line with the trade fair motto - are designed to help companies "master complexity". Products, solutions and systems for procurement, warehousing, production and distribution logistics characterised the trade fair exhibitions, forums and events. The range of topics covered all aspects of the industrial sector, from procurement to production and delivery, as well as various options for process optimisation and cost reduction. The focus was on communication and information systems, which provide the intelligence for optimised process management and comprehensive networking of people, machines and processes.

Trend towards a holistic approach

While clever individual solutions for specific tasks were at the centre of interest not so long ago, these soon gave way to modular approaches that met the demand for greater flexibility and responsiveness. In the meantime, the wheel of innovation has turned a little further: LogiMAT 2014 presented numerous holistic solutions, i.e. complete solutions that can optimise the entire process chain by cleverly linking the various elements of the supply chain (transport, warehouse, customs clearance, trade, etc.). An important trend emphasised by exhibitors and trade visitors alike is the desire to be able to serve not only shops but also e-commerce from one and the same warehouse. A wide variety of tools were presented at the trade fair for this purpose.

Mobile solutions are increasingly being used for networking and optimised process control. Among other things, this involves the secure transfer of key business figures to mobile devices. The data can also be displayed on smartphones and tablets via the browser. "By radically reducing process complexity, employees without special additional training can now use mobile devices to perform tasks that were previously reserved for specialists," says Philipp Weirauch, CEO of CheckMobile GmbH, summarising the forward-looking consequences of process optimisation systems. "Supply chain visibility" and "lean warehousing" are buzzwords that describe the demand for increased transparency and flexibility, as addressed by the new process optimisation solutions.

Industry 4.0 as a driver of innovation

In the area of material flow, visitors were able to take a look at a wide range of innovations with a view to increasing automation in the warehouse. One example is robotic shuttles, which are helping to make warehouse processes ever more efficient. Wolfgang Skrabitz, Managing Director of YLOG Industry Solutions GmbH, sees these robotic solutions as the "perfect way to scale an automated warehouse. You can start with one shuttle and, depending on how the company grows, add further shuttles to increase performance in line with the company's growth".

More than 100 high-calibre speakers from business, science and international trade media addressed trend topics such as packaging technology, energy efficiency, shipping logistics and the technology and management requirements for the realisation of Industry 4.0 in 23 forums.

Strategies and solutions for the Industry 4.0 concept took up a great deal of space in the various forums; a sign that the topic is of growing importance for logistics. Prof Dr Michael ten Hompel, head of the Dortmund-based Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics, for example, expects that the activities surrounding the Industry 4.0 concept will also mean a revolution for logistics - not in the form of a "big bang", however, but rather a "gradual process". The researcher warned that German companies should utilise the new opportunities as quickly as possible, as German companies still have a development advantage over some foreign competitors. However, this will shrink quickly.

LogiMAT as an important trend barometer for intralogistics

The majority of the exhibitors we surveyed were satisfied with the course of the trade fair and the quality of the business discussions. In particular, the concept of thematically interlinking the exhibition, forums and events was well received by exhibitors and visitors alike.  The fact that LogiMAT is becoming increasingly attractive is also confirmed by the visitors who "vote with their feet": around 33,000 interested parties visited the 12th edition of LogiMAT from 25 to 27 February, an increase of a whopping 11 percent compared to 2013. According to the unanimous opinion of visitors and exhibitors, the trade fair has thus secured itself a firm place as an important trend barometer for the logistics industry.