XPO Logistics wins logistics company of the year in Italy for transport innovation

XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of transport and logistics solutions, has been named Logistics Company of the Year by Assologistica, the premier association for third-party logistics providers in Italy, its training branch Assologistica Cultura e Formazione, and Euromerci magazine. XPO’s winning entry was an innovative solution to trace mobile crates used by its transport network. The technology was successfully implemented in XPO’s Pontenure warehouse in Italy.

XPO can monitor individual crates through the application of near-field communication (NFC) technology, adapted by XPO and interfaced with the company’s information systems. This solution optimises the utilisation of the crates, reduces errors resulting from manual tracking and enhances reliability through real-time information.

NFC technology provides wireless connectivity that is bidirectional at short range. Each XPO crate at the Pontenure warehouse is identified with a special tag that can be read by smartphones with compatible technology. When the smartphone comes within a ten-centimetre radius of the tag, data is transmitted to XPO about the location of the crate, whether it is entering or exiting the warehouse, and if it is empty or full.

Ube Gaspari, managing director-supply chain, Italy for XPO Logistics Europe, said, “We’re convinced that innovation is the game-changer in our industry. We’re committed to delivering added value to customers in ways that transform their supply chains, and we’re particularly proud to be recognized with this award as leading the way here in Italy.”

XPO’s latest technology implementation is part of the company’s planned $450 million investment in technology this year. Other recent innovations in XPO’s global operations include the deployment of intelligent robots in warehouses, the XPO Direct shared-space distribution network, voice integration with Amazon Echo and Google Home to track home deliveries of heavy goods, and the launch of the XPO Connect digital freight marketplace with the Drive XPO mobile app for carriers.