At DPD Switzerland, innovation translates into flexible, practical solutions: optimizing costs, reducing carbon footprints and improving infrastructures. By combining partnerships and sustainable technologies, the company anticipates tomorrow's logistics challenges. Ville our Senior Innovation Project & Sustainability Manager, explains:
DPD: «What is innovation at DPD?»
Ville: «For us, at DPD, Innovation isn’t about any one specific idea, it’s a flexible approach focused on finding the best solutions to address specific challenges. For example, when our previous routine provider raised contract prices by 100% three years ago, we sourced a German company offering comparable quality at a lower cost. In the shift towards e-trucks and e-vans, we faced limitations with charging infrastructure, which we’re working to improve through partnerships with the energy department and specialized companies. Additionally, our development team in Riga creates custom apps, like a driver app, to address operational needs, and through our partnership with Venturelab, we support Swiss startups that contribute to our innovation goals, such as enhancing delivery through geolocation solutions.»
DPD: «What are your objectives at the DPD Switzerland?»
Ville: «At DPD Switzerland, our objectives are shaped around three core pillars: quality, service, and cost efficiency. We strive to enhance service quality from a customer-oriented perspective, while also prioritizing our responsibility to reduce our CO2 footprint. Another key goal is to create an attractive working environment for our employees, making DPD a motivating place to work. We aim to resolve challenges with minimal capital investment by focusing on software improvements rather than large-scale replacements. For instance, instead of completely replacing sorting systems, we enhance their performance through targeted software upgrades.»
DPD: «How are new ideas developed?»
Ville: «New ideas at DPD often stem from specific needs.If we have the necessary resources, we create solutions internally; otherwise, we look for an external company with the expertise to address the issue. This could involve enhancing existing software or developing a completely new tool. Occasionally, a company may approach us with a solution to an issue we hadn’t yet identified. In such cases, we carefully evaluate whether their proposal aligns with DPD’s existing systems and objectives to ensure it fits seamlessly into our operations.»
DPD: «How are they implemented?»
Ville: «The implementation of new ideas at DPD follows a structured process:
Proof of Concept: This initial phase aims to evaluate the potential benefits of the idea. It showcases a simplified version of the solution without all features, allowing us to compare and analyse our current processes with the proposed one. This stage typically lasts about a month.
Pilot (Level 1): In this phase, we begin collecting data to assess the effectiveness of the solution. We integrate the basic elements of the new system, though not all advanced features are included yet. This pilot stage is critical, as it often yields the majority of gains—around 80%—and helps us determine if we should invest further.
Implementation: If the pilot proves successful and demonstrates tangible benefits, we proceed with a phased implementation, adding more and more features step by step. This allow us to familiarize ourselves with the new processes and minimize risks by avoiding large initial investments until we are confident in the solution’s viability.»
DPD: «What «innovation of the moment» are you developing/working on? What is its goal/purpose?»
Ville: «We are currently developing a project to install solar panels on rooftops at our site in Wittenwil. The site owner will install the panels, and DPD will buy the electricity generated. This project aims to save costs, produce electricity locally for energy security, and promote environmental sustainability.
In summer, we expect to use 100% solar energy during the day. In winter, both solar energy and grid electricity will be used due to less sunlight. The number of panels will depend on the roof size, and we will focus on optimizing their performance. We also aim to balance the energy network, allowing us to manage electricity flow effectively. Our goal is to create a system that maximizes efficiency and optimizes energy use.»
DPD: «Is there an outlook for upcoming projects for the next 3 years?»
Ville: «I don't think we can anticipate all the innovations to come, but several key areas will take priority. However, we plan to improve our loading infrastructure, focusing on smarter distribution. We also want to create more dynamic delivery routes that adapt to variations in volume throughout the week and year. In addition, sorting processes in our depots will have to become more flexible. Electrification will remain a major objective, but future projects will depend on market conditions and emerging needs, such as the optimization of delivery points. Teams will manage several projects at the same time, and will be trained according to the specific needs and expertise of team members.»
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