Innovation doesn’t happen by itself. It needs to be nurtured. That is precisely the goal DHL pursues with its four Innovation Centers around the world. The first of them, the Europe Innovation Center, now gets a future-oriented successor with EPIC 2.0 in Troisdorf near Cologne – a center that embodies sustainable innovation in every single component.
Europe Innovation Center: Continuing a Success Story
With the opening of the new European Innovation Center (EPIC 2.0), the era of EPIC 1.0 comes to an end – its predecessor at the central European location in Troisdorf near Cologne. For almost twenty years, valuable and inspiring impulses have originated from there. It served as a vibrant hub of exchange with customers, partners, researchers, and thought leaders about the latest innovations in the industry – turning visionary ideas into operational capabilities.
Whether groundbreaking IoT applications or advancements in automation: the DHL Europe Innovation Center has always been a signal of DHL’s ambition to redefine the essence of logistics. The former center in Troisdorf helped DHL achieve numerous milestones. When it opened in 2007, EPIC 1.0 was the first global flagship center and laid the foundation for DHL’s current global innovation presence with four centers:
- DHL Innovation Center in Europe, Troisdorf – opened in 2007
- DHL Innovation Center in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore – opened in 2015
- DHL Innovation Center in the Americas, Chicago – opened in 2019
- DHL Innovation Center in the Middle East and Africa, Dubai – opened in 2020
Why DHL Established Innovation Centers Worldwide
The history of logistics has always been a history of innovation. Humans have always sought better ways to connect goods and people across locations. Today, innovations in logistics are happening at phenomenal speed.
Technology is reshaping supply chains, opening up more possibilities for innovation in logistics than ever before. At DHL, we know that outstanding ideas don’t just come from within. This is where the importance of the DHL Innovation Centers lies. In these centers, we not only drive innovation with our own employees but also invite external innovators and startups to collaborate with us to move the industry forward. We help visionaries turn their ideas and research into practical results.
Discover, Connect, Inspire, Create
Close collaboration with customers and stakeholders paves the way for new ideas, practical solutions, and customer-oriented logistics innovations.
- Together, we unlock fascinating potential and identify the latest trends that will significantly shape the future of logistics.
- Together, we create new customer value through concrete innovations that meet today’s and tomorrow’s demands.
The DHL Innovation Centers pursue two objectives: On one hand, they play a leading role in the development of innovations; on the other, they respond to the needs and interests of our customers. Each Innovation Center offers a variety of events, workshops, and guided tours. The centers provide our partners and customers with insights into trends so that we can jointly seize opportunities, overcome challenges, and shape the future of logistics.
The new European Innovation Center is tailored to our unique innovation approach. It is state-of-the-art, future-ready, and supports our vision of driving innovation in logistics.
Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer DHL and Head of CSI
EPIC 2.0 Takes Innovation Enablement to the Next Level
The existing Innovation Center Europe has achieved valuable milestones – but it has also reached its limits. The demand for customer-oriented innovation has grown. Moreover, a space was needed that is specifically designed for DHL’s unique innovation approach.
That space is EPIC 2.0: With the opening of the new European Innovation Center, DHL builds on the legacy of the pioneering center and elevates it to the next level. EPIC 2.0 is more than just a larger building. EPIC 2.0 is a key project for the future of logistics.
DHL has created a space for innovation that is bolder, more sustainable, and more connected than ever before. EPIC 2.0 is fully tailored to flexibility, collaboration, and customer-oriented innovation. Visitors should feel inspired. DHL aims to spark ideas, broaden horizons, and create meaningful connections through the center.
Every element of the new center is designed to bring people together – from coworking areas to modular event spaces and dedicated meeting rooms. The new European Innovation Center fosters open dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and a culture of co-creation. EPIC 2.0 serves as a platform for collaboration and engagement to bring innovative solutions to life.
Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer DHL and Head of CSI
A Beacon of Innovative Sustainability
EPIC 2.0 is DHL’s first carbon-neutral innovation facility. With the building and its use, DHL not only realizes a visionary innovation strategy but also challenges itself in terms of sustainability and circular economy. EPIC 2.0 meets the highest possible standards for sustainable construction in all aspects. The center is built entirely from cross-laminated timber and operated with environmentally friendly technologies. EPIC 2.0 embodies sustainable innovation and ambition. It reflects DHL’s journey so far and points to the exciting path that lies ahead.
