The logistics industry is trying to keep pace with digitalization. According to consulting firm Oliver Wyman, $3.5 billion flowed into logistics startups last year. German-speaking countries still have some catching up to do.
More and more long-established logistics companies are trying to master digitalization with the help of startup companies. For example, the company Fiege cooperates with the Munich startup MagazineThe triumph of digital transformation in logistics is unstoppable, says Joris D'Incà by Oliver Wyman:
“Whether freight brokerage, transport tracking, security, or billing—data-based, intelligent solutions with high quality, transparency, and efficiency already exist across all areas of the logistics value chain.”
For the industry, this means that it must seriously prepare for fundamental changes:
“The days of the classic supply chain with its typical players will soon be over.”
The speed of innovation has accelerated enormously in the last year.
Logistics companies are taking action
The analysis counts more than 60 logistics startups in German-speaking countries. Last year, there were just under 40. Of the $3.5 billion invested worldwide in 2017, only a small amount has reached Europe so far: around 90 percent went to American and Asian startups. Max-Alexander Borreck However, Oliver Wyman sees a change:
“The interest of investors, industry, and politics is growing: We are seeing increased activity from venture capital firms in German-speaking countries — at the same time, established logistics providers and public institutions are getting involved, for example, in the form of incubators.”
Logistics companies made a major leap in the digitalization of their core business in 2017. Partnerships with startups are a sensible step to bring new business models to market quickly.
