Three Lively Digital Logistics Days by BVL.digital

Three Days of ‘Logistics Television to Participate’: The balance of the first Digital Logistics Days of BVL (Federal Association of Logistics) is impressive. Around 1,200 participants from over 15 countries, ten partners, and more than 55 speakers contributed with presentations on technologies and innovations in the fields of warehousing and fulfillment, last mile and delivery, as well as transport and global logistics.

(Bremen) The three-day online conference by BVL.digital impressed with a strong content focus, a professional technical setup, and an interactive platform. “The logistics sector shines with its innovative power in the digital realm. We are pleased that we could showcase and honor this in this conference,” said Dr. Christian Grotemeier, the managing director of BVL.digital, who also moderated the event.

The conference followed a dramatic narrative thread from micro to macro perspectives on logistical topics and challenges. Each of the three event days began with a panel discussion, followed by lectures, workshops, and concluded with keynotes from exceptional personalities.

The Topics Reached Outer Space

On the first day, futurist, engineer, and pilot Morell Westermann took participants on a record-breaking flight with the first certified electric aircraft from the Alps to the North Sea to Norderney, which took place in September 2020. “The electrification of aviation is where cars were about ten years ago,” said Westermann. On the second day, conference participants had the opportunity to meet Frank Jørgensen, who has just succeeded Frank Sportolari as head of UPS Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Jørgensen expressed his enthusiasm for the team spirit at UPS and the willingness to change.

The third day of the Digital Logistics Days began with a spontaneously organized interview about the current situation at the Suez Canal. Ulf Venne from Everstream Analytics reported on the current state. The grounded container ship Ever Given, 400 meters long and 59 meters wide, is blocking the waterway and preventing the passage of more than 150 other ships. Supply shortages are to be feared. The topic was subsequently addressed in the panel discussion from the perspective of a shipper and a logistics service provider.

Criticism of Germany’s Bureaucracy

The conclusion of the Digital Logistics Days was marked by a lecture from Martin Richenhagen, the long-time chairman of AGCO. The German-American top manager addressed geopolitical and global economic contexts and provided an external perspective on the situation in Germany during the Corona crisis: “The German government is trying to solve a severe crisis bureaucratically,” said Richenhagen. In contrast, the US government leaves the regulation of many matters to the common sense of its citizens. In addition to managing the pandemic, the weak image of Germany in the USA is also attributed to the diesel scandal and the mishaps and delays at Berlin’s BER airport.

Photo: © BVL