Paderborn’s Mayor Dreier Visits Cargo Digital World (CDW)

As a place for new concepts and as an umbrella organization for startups, Paderborn’s Cargo Digital World (CDW) is developing digital business models for the logistics of tomorrow in collaboration with established companies. The driving force is, on one hand, the creation of more efficiency and transparency in logistical processes. On the other hand, the founders aim to explore how logistics users could be better served with innovative outside-the-box solutions.

(Pressebox; Paderborn) Under the umbrella of the CDW, the startups Cargoboard, CargoCast, Cargonative, and warespace are restructuring relevant areas of the logistics industry. Their services include online bookings for pallet transports, intelligent and location-independent warehousing, CO₂-saving route optimization, and AI models for efficient production planning and control. More startups are expected to follow. Thanks to the CDW, the startups are supported during their growth process, synergies are created, and networks are built. The company was founded in 2021 by Germany’s largest groupage cooperation, CargoLine, and relies on a broad network of established logistics service providers, such as Hartmann International from Paderborn, for the implementation of innovative business models.

“Our goal is to build 100% digital business models,” says CDW board member Dr. Tim Brühn during the company visit by Paderborn’s Mayor Michael Dreier. Together with economic developer Frank Wolters, Dreier visited the company, which has been located in Technology Park 22 since the turn of the year 2021/2022, to discuss the framework conditions for startups as well as the transport and digital infrastructure at the site. Also present were CDW supervisory board member Andreas Hartmann from Hartmann International and the founders Richard Kleeschulte from Cargoboard and Simon Leontaris from CargoCast.

Exemplary Model for the Startup Location

“The Cargo Digital World is an exemplary model for the startup location Paderborn,” noted Mayor Michael Dreier. As a leading municipality and digital model region, the location is on the best path to position itself sustainably and future-oriented. Efforts like those of the Cargo Digital World are positive factors that influence the good development.

The CDW also feels at home at the location: “For us, the proximity to the Startup Center of Paderborn University and garage33 are important location factors,” says Tim Brühn. The visit from Mayor Michael Dreier and economic developer Frank Wolters demonstrated how much the city of Paderborn “promotes ambitious companies with a clear compass and political will.” Furthermore, Tim Brühn was able to address the topic of training support. Especially training in STEM fields is very important for the future innovative strength of the CDW.

Permanent Strengthening of the Economic Location

Economic developer Frank Wolters: “Due to the importance for the permanent strengthening of the economic location Paderborn, we are equipped with a clear political mandate to advance this topic in the network with other partners.” Currently, a specialist conference on the topic of “dual training as a driver of skilled labor security” is being prepared. This is expected to take place in the second half of the year, reports Wolters.

Photo: © Tobias Vorwerk (WFG) / Image Caption: (l.r.) Simon Leontaris (Co-Founder CargoCast), Richard Kleeschulte (Co-Founder & CMO Cargoboard), Frank Wolters (Managing Director Economic Development Paderborn), Andreas Hartmann (CDW Supervisory Board, Managing Partner Hartmann International), Mayor Michael Dreier and Dr. Tim Brühn (Board Cargo Digital World)