CNA e.V. Celebrates Anniversary and Awards Logistics Innovations

During a festive event with Transport Minister Kerstin Schreyer, CNA e.V. celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 28, 2021. The think tank for transport, traffic & logistics from Nuremberg used this occasion to reflect on the past and look towards the future of digitally connected mobility. In line with this occasion, Boxbote Logistics and a consortium consisting of Fraunhofer LBF, Fraunhofer IML, and TriCon Container Terminal Nuremberg were awarded the CNA Innovation Prize 2021.

(Nuremberg) 25 years of innovation for transport, traffic & logistics – a reason to celebrate for CNA e.V., the think tank focused on innovation and mobility in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. Founded in 1996 as a network for business and science, it aims to promote new solutions for road and rail. At the festive event in the Meistersingerhalle, members celebrated together with Bavarian Transport Minister Kerstin Schreyer, Nuremberg’s Economic Officer Dr. Michael Fraas, the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands for Southern Germany Linda Mieden-Appelboom, and many other guests. They reflected on the success story of the association, which brought e-vehicles into Nuremberg’s city center in the 1990s and is now dealing with autonomous regional trains.

“In 1835, the ‘Adler’, the first locomotive in continental Europe, ran from Nuremberg to Fürth. Today, our CNA, ‘Center for Transportation & Logistics – Neuer Adler’, brings this innovative power into the 21st century,” pointed out Norbert Schäfer, Chairman of the Board of CNA e.V., highlighting the tradition of this innovation location in Nuremberg. “Just as with the creative ideas of that time, we want to actively shape the change in modern emission-free drives and the digitalization in the new industrial revolution for passenger and freight transport – also in the interest of our members,” Schäfer continued. Bavarian Transport Minister Kerstin Schreyer emphasized the important role of CNA e.V. for the logistics industry in Bavaria: “Logistics is one of our most important economic sectors in Bavaria. A total of 400,000 people work in the industry, generating a total turnover of around 36 billion euros. As CNA, you have been a pioneer and a driving force for the networking of business, science, and politics since 1996. And you continue to be a trailblazer for forward-looking innovations. I think, for example, of the award-winning micro-depot project. We need exactly such solutions for a connected and modern mobility in Bavaria!”

Online Marketplace with Own CO2-Reduced Bicycle Logistics

Innovative flagship projects from logistics were also the focus of the 19th CNA Innovation Prize “Intelligence for Transport and Logistics”, which was presented by the minister during the festive event:

The prize went to Boxbote Logistics GmbH for their concept of a regional online marketplace with its own CO2-reduced bicycle logistics. The regionally organized platform offers retailers a quick, uncomplicated connection to eCommerce. Included in the package are webshop, digital accounting, resource planning, and customer files. Additionally, the company enables its customers to have a completely CO2-neutral delivery of online orders on the last mile. After the concept was successfully tested in Augsburg, Boxbote is now offering its solution in Nuremberg and other municipalities as well.

The reviewers were particularly impressed by the integrated solution that allows local retailers to enter eCommerce in light of growing competition from online retailers and remain competitive. Furthermore, the platform opens up new business models for regional retailers as value-added service providers and combines online commerce with an environmentally friendly delivery concept.

(l.r.) Valentin Mees (Fraunhofer LBF) | Achim Klukas (Fraunhofer IML) | Maximiliane Lorenz (Fraunhofer IML) | Matthias Overbeck (Fraunhofer IML) | State Minister Kerstin Schreyer (StMB) | Raimund Seibold (Boxbote Logistics) | Norbert Schäfer (Chairman of CNA e.V.) © CNA

Special Prize for a Consortium

A special prize for outstanding entrepreneurial and scientific achievements was awarded for the development of a demonstrator for an “Active Noise Control” (ANC) system at the TriCon Container Terminal Nuremberg. The consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Operational Stability and System Reliability LBF and for Material Flow and Logistics IML adapted the proven ANC technology for the handling terminal with lengths of 750 m to 1,000 m to reduce noise emissions during the loading of containers onto the rail. The sound waves of the portal cranes are to be neutralized by corresponding sound waves from speaker systems.

The use of this technology allows for better utilization of handling facilities, especially during nighttime hours, thereby strengthening the performance of combined transport. Moreover, the reviewers saw the adaptability of the technology for further rail technical applications, such as train formation or maintenance facilities.

“The awarded projects demonstrate that technological and conceptual innovations are crucial to mastering the mobility transition for goods and people,” praised Dr. Rudolf Aunkofer, Managing Director of CNA e.V., the award winners. “As CNA e.V., we will continue to help realize innovations for road and rail in the future. Our network of business and science strengthens the dialogue on forward-looking ideas and approaches. With the Innovation Prize, as well as congresses like the CNA Logistics Forum on November 15, we provide a platform to present innovative solutions in the market.”

CNA Innovation Prize “Intelligence for Transport and Logistics”

The annually awarded Innovation Prize of CNA e.V. honors companies for outstanding projects, products, or services that make a significant contribution to sustainable economic growth, job security, and the preservation of the competitiveness of the Bavarian economy. Furthermore, the innovation potential of the economic location Bavaria is to be communicated beyond the region. The Innovation Prize was awarded for the 19th time in 2021. Outstanding entrepreneurial or scientific achievements were honored with a special prize for the 16th time.

About CNA e.V.

CNA e.V. was founded in 1996 with the aim of initiating and promoting a future-oriented technology & innovation dialogue in the “Transport & Logistics” sector involving relevant stakeholders from business, politics, and science along the entire value chain. Mobility solutions are to be rethought and designed innovatively and sustainably for people. The CNA network includes over 140 members and more than 650 innovation partners. The focus is on the areas of transport & logistics, mobility systems, automotive, rail, safety & drive technology.

As part of the Cluster Offensive Bavaria, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs commissioned CNA e.V. with the management of the cluster platform for rail technology. The Bavarian Ministry of Transport additionally entrusted the network with the coordination of the Logistics Initiative Bavaria, the umbrella brand for the regional Bavarian logistics initiatives.

Photo: © CNA / Image caption: (l.r.) Linda Mieden-Appelboom (Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Southern Germany) | Dr. Rudolf Aunkofer (Managing Director CNA e.V.) | Kerstin Schreyer MdL (Bavarian Transport Minister) | Norbert Schäfer (Chairman of CNA e.V.)