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DHL Opens Innovation Center In Rosemont


The shiny new exterior of the DHL Innovation Center at Higgins Rod and Shafer Court in Rosemont welcomed dozens of industry leaders to the space last week to celebrate the logistic company’s new center. (Sean McNealy/Journal photo)

The world’s largest logistics company, DHL, celebrated its first North American Innovation Center in Rosemont last Thursday, Sept. 12.

Amid the intermittent sound of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” to recognize the company’s establishment in 1969, and flashing of strobe lights, DHL officials presented guests with the mission of the company and the new 28,000-square-foot facility.

Speeches by DHL officials Ken Allen and Matthias Heutger and JW Asset Management official Jason Wild preceded the event’s open house.

Allen touched on DHL’s international status and reach. As an example, Allen talked about the company’s role in responding to the disaster left by Hurricane Dorian earlier this month in the Bahamas. He also emphasized the importance of the company meeting its zero emission goal by 2050 and the center’s potential in inspiring employees.

“People will think ‘what a great place to work’,” Allen told the crowd gathered at the unveiling.

DHL aims to provide a strong customer engagement platform, create a workplace of the future and be a state-of-the-art building for the group with the assistance of innovation center’s “world-class digital experience”, according to the presenters.

According to the event’s presentation, the building itself is built to impress. The DHL Innovation Center has IoT-enabled smart building, SageGlass self-shading glass solution, green and efficient building, predictive and data-driven building conditioning, smart climate control, integrated building technologies and latest AV and digital technology.

Similar facilities exist in Bonn, Germany, and Singapore. The new facility is located at 9580 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont.

Rosemont Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Hogan said the chamber reached out to DHL but the logistics company has yet to respond.

According to a news release, DHL’s first U.S.-based Innovation Center showcases the latest in logistics technology. Various robotic solutions, such as automated guided vehicles that can ferry goods through warehouses, mobile robots that can facilitate order fulfillment in e-commerce operations and collaborative robots designed to help with repetitive tasks, such as picking and packing, will be showcased at the center.

DHL is celebrating half a century in business this year, and the center opening is part of the company’s ongoing investment in new technologies and innovation solutions to address the surge in e-commerce demand, a representation of DHL’s continued investment in its Chicago operations and another indicator of how Chicago is becoming a major tech hub, according to the release.

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