OREANDA-NEWS. Deutsche Post DHL Group is investing in innovation to play a leadership role in the global development of the logistics industry and shape a sustainable future. A recent Trend report  revealed huge growth potential in more efficient and transparent supply chains - the Internet of Things alone is estimated to deliver a US\$1.9 trillion boost to supply chain and logistics operations by 2020. Spearheading the move are DHL's Innovation Centers in Germany, which opened today in a redesigned set up, and the new Asia Pacific Innovation Center, which will open later in the year in Singapore in collaboration with Singapore's Economic Development Board.

Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL Group, said at the opening ceremony: "I believe that while capital and experience are undoubtedly important, it is innovative ideas that will steer our future. At Deutsche Post DHL Group, customer-centric innovation is key to two of our major ambitions. One is to play a pioneering role in spearheading the global evolution of logistics which is at the core for the sustainability of our planet. Second, to remain the logistics leader by innovating products and services that our customers need most - whether that is to make an e-commerce delivery, design a global supply chain or ship temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals. To achieve this, we will continue to look far into the future, where our goal is to continually strive to convert our innovations into marketable solutions, to make our customers more successful."

The new concept of the DHL Innovation Center in Troisdorf, near Bonn, is designed to work even more collaboratively with customers, experts and academics in many fields. Together with its over 50 DHL experts this network of partners pioneer sustainable solutions to keep world trade on the move, creating innovative services and solutions. Since first opening in 2007, the Center has helped to shape logistics innovations together with well-known brands from all over the world as well as leading global research and development institutions. In Singapore, the new DHL Innovation Center will be located within the new US\$100 million DHL Supply Chain Advanced Regional Center currently under construction.

Bill Meahl, Chief Commercial Officer DHL, said: "Being a frontrunner in innovation has made us a market leader. The objective of the DHL Innovation Centers is to maintain that lead by developing highly innovative products and services based on technological, social and logistics trends of the future. The DHL Trend Research team continuously analyses and identifies new developments and their potential impact on the logistics industry along the entire value chain. Together with the Innovation Center's improved features, they will help us explore new opportunities for our customers and lead our industry. As a trade enabler, innovation in logistics is very powerful as it has the potential to transform industries worldwide."