The Logistikum Creates High-Quality Jobs in Uri

The Research and Innovation Center Logistikum is establishing a new institution in Altdorf (Canton of Uri/Switzerland). Now, the research and innovation projects are gaining momentum. Fortunately, this also brings new and qualified jobs to the Canton of Uri. On the Gotthard railway and the Gotthard motorway, industry otherwise rushes past this area.

(Altdorf) Even in the remotest corners of the world, it is no longer a problem to shop online today. For example, setting up a new apartment requires just a click on a smartphone, and within a few days, the ordered goods are delivered right to the doorstep. To make this possible, enormous organization with functioning processes in the background is required. The demands on logistics are increasing with the growing digitalization and globalization.

To develop optimal and sustainable logistics solutions for the future, a competence and innovation center is currently being established in Altdorf: Logistikum Schweiz GmbH was founded in autumn 2019 by VNL Schweiz (Association Network Logistics), the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, and Detranz (Competence Center for Transport Efficient Economy). There is also close cooperation with the Canton of Uri and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences. The establishment of Logistikum Schweiz is additionally financed by funds from the New Regional Policy of the Canton of Uri and the federal government (NRP). The interdisciplinary research and development projects are funded by contributions from the economy, public authorities, and foundations. Among others, the Dätwyler Foundation has also pledged support for a current research project.

Logistikum is Looking for Committed Scientific Staff

Currently, a three-member team is working in the premises of the Working Point on Dätwylerstrasse in Altdorf to establish Logistikum Schweiz. The competence center aims to research value creation systems and develop innovative solutions – under the special challenges of sustainability, globalization, and technological development in an increasingly interconnected world of high complexity. At the same time, Logistikum Schweiz wants to promote innovation capability in the areas of purchasing, logistics, and supply chain management, thereby contributing to the design of competitive regional and international logistics and value creation networks.

Meanwhile, the first industrial, research, and innovation projects have started at the Altdorf site. “Now we are gaining momentum,” says Prof. Dr. Ing. Herbert Ruile, Managing Director of Logistikum Schweiz. To advance research activities, the innovation center is now creating additional qualified jobs in the Canton of Uri. Currently, a position for a scientific staff member with a completed degree in business or economics is advertised to oversee a research project.

Uri is the Logistics Hub of Europe

The Canton of Uri as a research location and as a research subject is not chosen by chance: “Uri is an important logistics hub in Europe,” says Prof. Dr. Ing. Herbert Ruile, Managing Director of Logistikum Schweiz. “Its location and its history as a connecting canton between North and South make it predestined to analyze and shape value creation chains for the future.” The economic and cultural area of Gotthard is exemplary for the ecological, economic, and geographical challenges – as a logistical lock for North-South goods transit, with a growing regional internal market with international connections and as a challenge for spatial planning due to its very limited space for traffic and transport infrastructures.

Logistikum Faces the Challenges

Logistikum is addressing the challenges of regionalization, decarbonization, and the digital transformation of logistics. The possibilities of new technologies, such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, or the Internet of Things, are to be utilized to develop future-oriented, resource-saving, and efficient value creation networks with innovative solutions. Their application can be found in agriculture, trade, industry, commerce, or services. Therefore, numerous well-known Swiss companies have already joined the R&D programs.

One of the current research projects is titled “Opportunities and Challenges of Sustainable Alpine Value Creation Systems: Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow.” This project examines how value creation systems, their logistics, and their energy needs have changed over the centuries using the example of the Canton of Uri. It is of interest under which political, social, and technological framework conditions and value concepts such value creation systems have been successful. From this understanding, sustainable and future-oriented solutions for regional value creation systems are to be sought.

Ideas Will Be Discussed at the ‘Logistics Vision Days’

“This one project represents only the initiation of a much larger thematic research and discourse context in terms of scope and duration,” says Logistikum Managing Director Herbert Ruile. “The Canton of Uri should become the think tank of logistics with the annual ‘Logistics Vision Days’. The results of the research work should stimulate thought and encourage courage for future-oriented solutions.”

Uri Will Have a Master’s Program

Logistikum Schweiz will not only conduct research: In collaboration with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, a master’s program in logistics is expected to be possible starting in 2022. The program will be conducted both in Altdorf and in Lucerne. Although logistics is ubiquitous, there is currently no master’s program for it in Switzerland. The future training and further education program will further strengthen Logistikum, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, and the Canton of Uri as a research and education location.

Photos: © Logistikum

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