During the Transport Logistics Working Days, Luuk Meijer (TNO) presented a discussion paper on behalf of TNO and CILOLAB that sheds new light on the much-discussed ‘hub’ in urban logistics.
The central question: Why do hubs seem to struggle to scale up?
The answer: They actually do work – just not in the form of the much-praised white label hub.
Instead of continuing the search for universal solutions, the paper proposes a different approach: look at hubs from the perspective of the initiator. By introducing a new typology – based on who sets up the hub and who the customer is – a more realistic picture emerges of when and why a hub is likely to succeed. Think of proprietary hubs operated by logistics service providers, construction hubs for specific building projects, or facility hubs initiated by large buyers.
The final paper will be published soon on the CILOLAB website, so stay tuned!
More information about the Transport Logistics Working Days can be found here and in the news articles below:
