Supply Chain Innovation
The Supply Chain Innovation research group of HZ University of Applied Sciences, together with companies and governments in the region, is researching how innovations can make the logistics chains in Zeeland more efficient, more responsive, more sustainable and more competitive.
We analyse the opportunities and the impact of new technology, the added value and conditions for successful collaboration in chains and the characteristics of new business models when introducing new concepts. Because logistics is a ‘global playing field’, we work together with research universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands and abroad and we examine the position of logistics companies in Zeeland within the context of international supply chains.
The research group works closely together with the Zeeland innovation platforms Zeeland Connect and Food Delta Zeeland to identify innovation needs and research questions. The themes on which the Research Group conducts research are:
- Logistical flows and connections: The economy in Zeeland and in particular the port can only continue to compete if the connections to the hinterland are reliable and good. We investigate how companies can collaborate to strengthen hinterland connections and realise bundling of cargo to new hinterland services.
- Zero Emission Logistics: For the logistics sector, the ambition of the Paris Climate Agreement means a transition to clean energy carriers. The transition process to reach these targets is difficult and complex for many stakeholders, including logistics service providers. We conduct research into logistical innovations needed to be able to introduce zero emissions, the investment decisions that companies must make and the required loading and refueling infrastructure in Zeeland.
- Digitization and robotization: With digitization and robotization, companies are becoming more responsive and less sensitive to labour availability. We investigate how companies can automatically register and process data and information and robotize processes.
- Autonomous Transport: In the next ten years, ‘connected’ vehicles, such as truck platooning, will be introduced for the first time on a large scale in the Netherlands and then steps will be taken to introduce fully autonomous vehicles. Autonomous ships will also make their appearance in the next ten years. We investigate how companies can use this technology and what adjustments are needed for this within companies and in the infrastructure.
The knowledge developed makes the research group available to companies in the region. Curious about what the research group can do for you? Feel free to contact one of our researchers,
