Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships Dominate Logistics Landscape

Strategic Insights -

Companies such as Schenker, Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), and IBM have entered into joint ventures and strategic partnerships to boost their presence in the logistics sector. These partnerships aim to advance the development and introduction of new technologies, making supply chains more efficient. Companies involved in these partnerships plan to pool their logistics, technology, and IT expertise to achieve increased automation, visibility, and collaboration among trading partners.

Key Takeaways:

  • Schenker has entered into a joint venture with StarTrans International, an air freight specialist based in Hong Kong, to boost its presence in the apparel, toys, automotive, and high-tech sectors.
  • Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), IBM, Intel, Philips, and SAP have formed the DHL Innovation Initiative, a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the development and introduction of new technologies for the logistics industry.
  • The DHL Innovation Initiative plans to make supply chains more efficient by uniting the flow of information and physical goods through increased automation, visibility, and improved collaboration among trading partners.
  • Initial pilot projects in the pharmaceutical, electronic, and fashion industries in Europe, the US, and Asia are expected to provide results by mid-2006.
  • Each company in the global initiative aims to cover all elements of the value chain for modern logistics technology.
  • DHL contributes leading industry practices and knowledge to the initiative, while Intel has experience in developing leading computer, networking, and communications products.

Statistics:

  • 39.9% increase in DPWN's net profit (source: http://www.analytiqa.com/LB170206.asp#1702-8)
  • Schenker's joint venture with StarTrans International is focused on the apparel, toys, automotive, and high-tech sectors (source: http://www.analytiqa.com/LB170206.asp#1702-1)
  • Initial pilot projects in the pharmaceutical, electronic, and fashion industries have started in Europe, the US, and Asia (source: http://www.analytiqa.com/LB170206.asp#1702-3)

Sources:

  • M2 Communications Ltd - M2 PRESSWIRE (February 20, 2006)
  • Analytiqa - Logistics Bulletin (February 17, 2006) - http://www.analytiqa.com/LB170206.asp