Utrecht, 5 October 2023 - More than 120 speakers from leading companies and renowned knowledge institutions are coming to ICT&Logistics to share their views on current logistics themes. Among them are standouts such as Kramp and Wehkamp, who will tell how they are making their supply chains resilient and sustainable. Experts from knowledge institutions such as TKI Dinalog explain why companies should invest now in a digital foundation to make their logistics operations 'Fit for the Future'. On the exhibition floor of ICT&Logistics, more than 160 exhibitors will show their innovations at the cutting edge of logistics and information technology. The trade fair will take place on 8 and 9 November at Royal Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.
The strategic importance of a resilient supply chain
One of the frontrunners is Kramp, supplier of parts and accessories for the agricultural sector. From twelve distribution centres across Europe, Kramp delivers more than 500,000 items directly from stock. Despite the war in Ukraine and sky-high inflation, the wholesaler managed to record a 7.1 per cent growth in turnover last year. This is largely thanks to the supply chain led by COO Martijn Bonte, who was voted number 1 in the Top 26 supply chain directors just this spring.
At ICT&Logistics, Bonte explains why supply chain management (SCM) is so important in these uncertain and unpredictable times. "Since the pandemic, we are faced with the task of keeping our supply chains afloat under extremely turbulent conditions. In recent years, we have noticed that this turbulence is not going away. To increase the resilience of our businesses, supply chain management is more important than ever before."
Wehkamp on passing on return costs
Besides resilience, sustainability is the other topic high on the agenda in the logistics sector. Large return flows in particular present e-commerce companies with major challenges. Not only do they cost loads of money, they also lead to unnecessary transport movements and major waste. Wehkamp caused a stir this spring by breaking with the promise of free returns. The Zwolle-based retailer now charges €0.50 for each returned product, a measure that has since been emulated by other online shops such as H&M.
Frans Falize, COO Wehkamp, tells ICT&Logistics visitors about the impact of the decision to charge return costs. "Reducing the large flow of returns has been a key focus within Wehkamp for many years. Many initiatives, such as size recommendations and pop-up alerts, have so far failed to deliver the desired results. By taking the bold step of charging consumers a small contribution per return, we are now seeing consumer behaviour being influenced in a positive way. This is better for the environment by reducing transport movements. A more conscious buying behaviour is a responsibility of both the consumer and the company and our initiative has certainly achieved this."
Digitalisation as a foundation for resilience and sustainability
Resilience and sustainability are the themes we need to work on to make our supply chains future-proof. Within TKI Dinalog, companies, knowledge institutions and government are working on the innovation needed to achieve this. "If we want to exploit all opportunities in the future, the digital foundation has to be in order," states Bas van Bree, operational director of TKI Dinalog. "We need new forms of management and control. And new forms of cooperation between supply chains that do not yet know each other. Digitalisation is crucial for this."
Central to the digital foundation is the demonstrability of data. Companies must be confident that that data is reliable and meets the right standards. "We will start sharing data according to the principles of federated data sharing. That data will stay where it is, at the source. Companies decide for themselves which parties can or cannot access that data and which data they can or cannot see. These can also be parties that do not know each other. That requires digital trust," says Van Bree.
More than 120 speakers in 8 theme theatres
ICT&Logistics' programme totals more than 120 speakers from renowned companies and leading knowledge institutions who will outline the latest trends, share strategic insights and give practical tips. In 8 theatres, they will speak on a variety of topics, from zero-emission zones to cybercrime and from robotisation to supply chain strategy.
Additional information
Want to know more about ICT&Logistics 2023? Check the exhibitor list with more than 160 companies from home and abroad.
Visitors can register for free.
You can see the entire programme, themes, all activities and daily updates at: ict-en-logistiek .nl and via updates on LinkedIn or Twitter.
