What does the logistics of the future look like in your region?

TKI Dinalog, Top Sector Logistics and the Regional Development Companies (ROMs) are joining forces and recently went on a delegation visit to the North Brabant and East Netherlands regions to discuss the logistics of the future. Important reason for this is the new National Knowledge Agenda Logistics 2024 - 2027 presented earlier this year, which focuses on the essential contribution of logistics and the logistics issues involved in tackling the various major societal challenges we face in the Netherlands, such as the circular economy and energy transition. Issues that are also important for the logistics of the future in the region!

The first two Logistic Innovation Region Visits took place on Tuesday 25 June and Thursday 27 June. The aim of these visits is to explore with entrepreneurs, policymakers and researchers the themes and issues affecting the region and how we can help each other improve and innovate within the logistics sector and wider society. But also precisely to help further strengthen the connection with the regions and between entrepreneurs, policymakers and researchers themselves.

These two visits brought together representatives from the Top Sector Logistics, TKI Dinalog, ROM Netherlands, the Regional Development Companies BOM and OostNL, Provinces, Municipalities, companies and knowledge institutions to discuss issues affecting the region and their relation to the role of logistics and the importance of logistics innovation.

Each region visit consisted of three separate round tables with Province and Municipalities, knowledge institutions and representatives of the region's business networks. At each round table, Niels Agatz, Scientific Director TKI Dinalog and Iris Vis, Captain of Science Top Sector Logistics gave a brief explanation of the key points of the new National Knowledge Agenda for Logistics before opening the conversation.

Each round table had its own dynamics in this. The discussions and the innovation carousel during the meetings with the knowledge institutions were exciting, extremely interesting and offered a great opportunity to get acquainted with the various research areas and expertise within the logistics sector. The discussions with representatives of the various Provinces and Municipalities provided interesting insights on the main policy challenges in the region, the contribution of logistics to economic and social development and the opportunities to strengthen the logistics of the future in the region. Discussions with the business networks yielded a number of concrete ideas on cooperation opportunities and how these could be further fuelled.

During lunch and the closing networking drinks, participants had the opportunity to continue informal discussions and make new contacts. This informal setting promoted open conversations and the building of relationships essential for future cooperation.

TKI Dinalog, Top Sector Logistics and ROM Netherlands once again express their thanks for the commitment and enthusiastic participation of all attendees. We look forward to further cooperation and jointly strengthening the logistics sector in the Netherlands and within the region. This autumn, we will again travel into the country and to visit a number of other regions, more information will follow soon.