EPG Rocket Club established to help start-ups

As one of the world’s leading logistics experts, Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG) is always looking to the future. And this outlook sees the Boppard-based family business treading new paths. With its newly established EPG Rocket Club, the international software provider has created a new innovation platform for start-ups to present their solutions. Seven companies from Hamburg, Munich, Vienna and elsewhere have now presented their innovative and creative IT solutions to EPG.

Digitalisation is opening up exciting new perspectives for the logistics sector – from driverless transport systems and intelligent robots that collect goods in warehouses to fully automated warehouses controlled by artificial intelligence. Boppard-based Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG) is right at the centre of this phase of transformation, with the company having enjoyed success on the market for more than 30 years through its warehouse management system LFS.

With the launch of the EPG Rocket Club, the software provider is looking to provide young companies with the opportunity to strike up a dialogue with the experts at EPG and to become part of the group’s international network, which currently spans 19 locations worldwide.

“The EPG Rocket Club serves as a platform for visionaries and pioneers within the sector. We aim to honour and promote the most innovative companies and to work with them to help shape the logistics sector of tomorrow,” explains Dennis Kunz, Director Marketing at EPG. A nine-strong panel of judges – made up of experienced logistics experts from companies such as Fressnapf, Flaconi, Metro and Lekkerland – was responsible for choosing a winner among the companies.

The start-ups impressed the judges with their fresh ideas and innovative spirit. The range of solutions presented was extremely diverse and provided further proof that the logistics sector is highly innovative and has a promising future. The solutions showcased included a cloud-based application for purchasing replacement parts, software for the digitalisation of container transport and a digital pallet note.

Award goes to Vienna company

The companies presenting their solutions were competing for the stylish, shiny green EPG Rocket Club Award. The panel of judges ultimately opted to hand the rocket-shaped award to SpotVessels GmbH in recognition of the solution it has developed for the inland navigation sector.

The Vienna-based company offers an online platform that fundamentally improves the booking of freight transport as well as the fleet management of inland vessels and barges. The solution helps to utilize loading capacity more effectively, reduce the number of empty runs and thus increase freighter efficiency.

“The presentations given by the start-ups were very impressive,” says a delighted Dennis Kunz. “We had the chance to listen to fascinating visionaries from the logistics sector who presented their ideas with great passion and verve. In the era of the digital transformation, it’s important that we learn from each other and create new synergies. As a community, the EPG Rocket Club will continue to play an important role in future.”

CLICK HERE to view a video of the EPG Rocket Club event.