On 5 November, the Logistica Award 2024 will be presented at Logistica Next. A five-member jury will evaluate the submitted innovations. One of the jury members and chairman is René de Koster, professor of Logistics and Operations Management at Erasmus University. He has been a jury member since the very first Logistica Award and chairman of this award since 2012. Therefore, he can tell all about the importance of the Logistica Award and the process. He answers four questions about the Award.
Can you tell us something about the history and importance of the Logistica Award?
The Logistica Award has existed since 2003. The Award is presented in the Logistica Next exhibition years. Logistica Next takes place every two years simultaneously with the annual trade fair ICT&Logistics. That these take place simultaneously is the case again in 2024.
The award is important both for providers of logistics solutions, to draw attention to new developments, and for users of those solutions, to gain insight into those new developments. Participants in the award can be established companies, but also start-ups with new ideas.
What specifically is the jury looking for from this year's entrants? Are there certain innovations or trends that stand out to you in the industry?
There are several new developments, but the jury is mainly looking at the latest developments in the field of internal logistics with some Dutch input. Developments, for example, in robotisation, AI, Internet of Things applications and software. Or consider developments in more traditional areas such as safety, storage, transport, packaging, ergonomics, energy consumption, process monitoring and sustainability. We like to be surprised with exciting entries.
How does the jury judge the entries and how do you ensure a fair and transparent judging process?
Besides myself, the jury consists of Eric Hereijgers, Jan Hommes, Peter Leerintveld and Rudy Negenborn. Each jury member assesses the various entries on five criteria: Application Value, Innovativeness, Market Potential, Cost Effectiveness and Creativity. In addition, the entry must have some Dutch input. The final scores are compared and then the winner is determined. The jury members have their own expertise and are obviously not allowed to vote on any entries in which they themselves have a role. This guarantees an objective assessment.
What impact does the Logistica Award have on the logistics sector in general and on the winner?
That role is modest. The best entries will probably find their way to the market anyway, even without this award. However, the Award generates extra publicity, both in the press and by visitors at the fair. This can accelerate market success. Entries from smaller companies are sometimes embraced by larger companies and thus get a wider reach. In addition, you get a trophy and reflection on your product by the jury.
To companies still in doubt, I would say: what have you got to lose? Besides some required time, to fill in the form and present the innovation, participation is free!
Submit your innovation and win the Logistica Award 2024
Does your logistics innovation deserve an Award? Then take up the challenge: register your innovation (free of charge) and stand a chance of winning the Logistica Award 2024, the award for the most innovative solution in logistics. Registration closes 15 June 2024. Go to the Logistica Award 2024 page for more information.
