LCL eXplores the future of supply chain management

The Luxembourg Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LCL) hosted its first annual eXplore Conference on 1 March – a meeting place for practitioners, researchers and policy makers to discuss the future of the industry.

Mr Marc Hansen, Luxembourg Minister Delegate for Higher Education and Research, in his opening remarks emphasised the role the LCL is set to play in the growth of Luxembourg’s logistics sector as it moves forward. Conducting research and innovation, while facilitating knowledge transfer into practical applications, are a high priority, Mr Hansen said, expressing his confidence in the ability of the LCL to fulfil this mission.

Around 100 guests joined the conference throughout the day, as it hosted experts in supply chain management and related fields.

Prof. Yossi Sheffi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation and Logistics (MIT-CTL) delivered a keynote address on the future of supply chain management, in which he identified several key trends, such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, data analytics and the servicification of the retail sector.

The conference also included contributions by Prof. Benny Mantin, Director of the LCL, Dr. Zsofia Kräussl, postdoctoral researcher at the Luxembourg School of Finance, Dr. Matthias Winkenbach of the MIT-CTL, Ms Hjoerdis Stahl, Director of Post Courrier Luxembourg, and Dr. Florian Kache of BASF. In addition, a panel discussion on blockchain included participants from Amazon, CH Robinson and IBM alongside academics from MIT and the University of Luxembourg.

“This conference marked the official launch of our activities,” commented Prof. Mantin. “Our goal was to bring professionals from research, industry and policy level together to create a platform of exchange. The success of this first event shows that we are on the right track to innovate, impact and inspire the logistics and supply chain management sector in Luxembourg. We are now looking forward to the launch of our Master programme and growing the LCL and its role in Luxembourg and beyond.”

A photo gallery is available on the event page.

University of Luxembourg President Prof. Rainer Klump, LCL Director Prof. Benny Mantin, MIT-CTL Director Prof. Yossi Sheffi and Minister Delegate for Higher Education and Research Marc Hansen (l.t.r.)