Company  Announcement - •  Largest research and innovation cluster for logistics turns the 31st International Supply Chain Conference in Berlin into a “Meeting Point for Europe”.
•  International cooperation in logistics research projects to be intensified.

“At the moment, there are a lot of thrilling possibilities for logistics companies to get involved in shaping research in Europe and implementing  challenging project ideas. It is, however, more important than ever for partners from different Euro-pean countries to cooperate in leveraging new technologies and solutions to-gether“, says Dr. Christian Jacobi, Chairman of the Board of the EffizienzCluster Management GmbH, in the run-up to the 31st International Supply Chain Confer-ence in Berlin from 22nd to 24th October  2014 in an appeal to logistics companies in Europe to share their knowledge and best practices with each other more in future and to kick off joint projects together. “There are a lot of attractive research fields and the range of calls for tenders is huge.” At the International Supply Chain Con-ference, international guests will have the chance to discuss these topics with the top representatives in the cluster: The EffizienzCluster lounge at the Schweizerhof will be the “Meeting point for Europe“.

Number of research and innovation projects in Europe to increase
The EffizienzCluster LogistikRuhr is the biggest research and innovations cluster for logistics in Europe with around 180 partners from scientific and business communi-ties and 40 research projects organised in seven key topics. In 2010, it was hon-oured as one of 15 leading edge clusters in Germany by the Federal Government. The EffizienzCluster stands for a significant increase in research and innovation projects in logistics within the European Union. It is their declared aim to integrate companies in the development of comprehensive strategies for research, innova-tions and market development at a European level. The cluster provides companies with support when it comes to research funding at an operational level, too. Thor-sten Hülsmann, Managing Director of EffizienzCluster Management GmbH: “We analyze the potentials for research projects and innovations on the European mar-ket both with companies and for companies. At the same time, we bring companies together with the best universities, colleges and institutes for logistics in the whole of Europe and network companies with potential business partners.“

European network is available for companies
For that purpose, EffizienzCluster has built up a well-functioning network in Europe: As co-founder of the European technology platform ETP ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe) and member in the Steering Group of ETP, the EffizienzCluster is helping to develop a strategic roadmap for European research funding for logistics. Last but not least, it makes sure that the roadmap includes technological developments relevant to the cluster partners. By means of strategic and operative cooperations with top institutions in European logistics re-search, such as DINALOG in the Netherlands, or cooperations with organizations and initiatives like the European Intermodal Association EIA, Green Freight Europe or Lean & Green, topics can be dealt with in a European context right from the be-ginning – this can be important with regard to the standardization of logistic solu-tions. The EffizienzCluster is also a member of various consortiums in EU research projects.

EffizienzCluster presents the “Kompetenzatlas Europa/European Competency Roadmap“
The EffizienzCluster’s network in Europe and their range of services is presented in the new “Kompetenzatlas Europa” that is to be released at the International Supply Chain Conference in Berlin: This 16 page brochure (German/English) includes con-tact details for the important European institutions and initiatives which the cluster works with. Anyone interested can ask for the Kompetenzatlas by sending an email to info@effizienzcluster.de. It will also be available to download after the Interna-tional Supply Chain Conference.