6 Things I Learned On a DHL Tour

Everything is Logistics

What does the future of logistics really look like? In this episode, host Blythe Milligan shares details on her recent behind-the-scenes tour of DHL’s Export Facility and Innovation Center in Chicago.

From sorting 10,000 packages an hour with only a dozen employees to integrating robotics and generative AI, the tour demonstrates how tech and transparency are reshaping the supply chain.

This episode truly highlights how one of the world’s largest logistics companies is using automation to drive efficiency and scale.

Key takeaways:

• DHL’s export facility in Chicago can process up to 10,000 packages per hour with just 12 employees on the floor.
• Robotics like Robust AI and Boston Dynamics' Spot are already being tested in real-world warehouse environments.
• The company is rolling out a global generative AI hub with over 75,000 users across 140 countries.
• AI tools now handle customs processing at massive scale, including 35 million customs entries.
• New delivery methods like e-bikes from Rytle aim to tackle the challenges of last-mile logistics in dense urban areas.

LINKS:

• DHL's Website
• DHL's Logistics Trend Radar

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE

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Chapters

1. 6 Things I Learned On a DHL Tour (00:00:00)

2. Touring DHL’s High-Speed Export Facility (00:03:05)

3. Robotics in Action: From Picking to Spot (00:07:48)

4. Generative AI at Scale (00:13:35)

5. Inside DHL’s Innovation Center (00:19:12)

6. Rethinking the Last Mile (00:24:47)

7. Trends That Will Shape Logistics (00:31:16)