‘Responding to now - Planning for next’. 3rd LOGICONOMI Forum attracts over 500 leading logistics professionals

Organised and sponsored by Toyota Material Handling Europe, the Logiconomi Forum connected senior logistics managers from across Europe with experts from leading companies to learn about and discuss new concepts and trends in the world of logistics. Taking place in Antwerp on 27^th-28^th September, the 2022 event included insights from fifteen companies including Microsoft, Bosch, Orange, Deloitte, Air Products and EcoVadis.

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The event’s theme reflected the extraordinary challenges that logistics professionals in all business sectors are currently facing, including post-pandemic supply chain disruption, labour shortages, emission targets, the energy crisis, inflation and the geopolitical outlook in Europe today. “We are all being tested – more than ever before,” was the opening statement from Ernesto Domínguez, President and CEO of Toyota Material Handling Europe.

The first day of the event was based around the theme ‘Responding to Now’ and was staged at the historic Handelsbeurs in central Antwerp, which was the world’s first stock exchange, originating in the 16^th century. As introduced by conference moderator Anne De Baetzelier: “The Handelsbeurs in Antwerp has been hosting progressive business discussions for over 400 years, so what better place to continue insightful discussions today?”

The Responding to Now theme included focus sessions on digitalisation, automation, energy and sustainability, with expert insights from a number of partnering companies. Microsoft focused on digital ecosystems and cyber security, whilst Bosch presented simple concepts for consignment tracking. Robotics and digital twinning were key topics for Vanderlande and Siemens, whilst Air Products and Toyota Motor Europe set out the prospects for hydrogen as a future energy source.

Other topics included trends in sustainability (EcoVadis), solar power (Alight), 5G networks (Orange) and smart buildings for energy efficiency (Proximus). The first day of the Logiconomi Forum was concluded by a speech from leading European politician and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt.

The second day of the 2022 Logiconomi Forum focused on innovation under the theme ‘Planning for Next’ and was principally held at ‘Log!Ville’ – a permanent meeting and exhibition centre dedicated to logistics, located just south of Antwerp.

This allowed delegates to see new concepts in action, and to have progressive discussions about new technologies. A highlight of day two was a ‘start-up parade’ which featured fifteen different ideas from new businesses, with concepts for energy analysis, safety management and efficiency improvements from order picking to yard operations.

Logiconomi is an ongoing programme for the development and sharing of concepts and technologies that support efficient and economical logistics. This includes a Logiconomi TV channel which can be explored via the company website.  Extracts from this year’s Logiconomi Forum will be shared over the coming months.