39. Logistics Dialogue in Vienna under the Motto: [Re]Design Today

The multiple crises of recent years have fundamentally changed the world order. Europe’s competitiveness is under scrutiny. It is necessary to quickly shape and implement the required change processes. The most urgent areas of action are energy, bureaucracy, infrastructure, and employees.

(Wien) Roman Stiftner, President of the BVL Federal Association of Logistics Austria, demands in his opening speech: “Given the geopolitical framework conditions, we can no longer devote ourselves to desirable optimizations, but must focus on becoming resilient and living with these new conditions. We must pay attention to changing those homegrown factors that disadvantage us in our activities.” And he calls for swift action: “I see it as our responsibility to regain competitive strength. A modern infrastructure is essential for Europe. In the last 20 to 30 years, we have neglected infrastructure in Europe, primarily roads and railways, but also energy supply, digitalization, and broadband access, to a concerning extent. A disruption-free infrastructure is the basis for high-performance logistics services – and logistics is the catalyst for competitiveness!”

Four Areas of Action with Highest Priority

The most urgent need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, from the perspective of BVL Austria, consists of:

• reliable energy supply at globally competitive prices,
• comprehensive and sustainable deregulation at the EU level,
• extensive investments in the restoration or establishment of a high-performance infrastructure in both the analog and digital realms,
• as well as political measures to raise labor productivity to an internationally comparable level.

The goal of these measures, which must be implemented immediately, is to maintain competitiveness, prosperity, security, and quality of life in Austria and Europe.

More than 1,000 Participants Set New Record

More than one thousand registered participants exchanged views on the changed framework conditions and the requirements of the re-design. This marks a new record, both in terms of the number of registered network participants and the number of 110 competence partners. The organizer, BVL Austria, also noted increased interest from students on the International Logistics Day. Seven schools from across Austria, mostly Higher Technical Institutes, sent a total of more than 200 students to utilize the networking opportunities with logistics companies.

Partner Country Switzerland

Under the motto [Re]Design Today, the presentation of the “Mission Forward” by the Federal Minister of Defence, Klaudia Tanner, emphasized the need for collaboration between civilian and military logistics processes to ensure overall security. Special recognition was given to the family business LKW Walter, which has successfully maintained its independence and continuously grown for 100 years despite wars and crises. The presentation by Peter Sutterlüti, CEO of cargo sous terrain, about the concept of the underground digital overall logistics system in Switzerland received great attention. Additionally, several high-profile speakers came from this year’s partner country Switzerland, including Urs Sulser, the Defense Attaché of the Confederation.

Photo: © BVL Federal Association of Logistics Austria / Image Caption: Roman Stiftner, President of BVL Austria, opened the 39th Logistics Dialogue