Digitalization of Supply Chains

Wednesday, 21.10.2026

10:00 - 10:30

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Organizations & People

Main Stage

“The Future of the Supply Chain Is Connected—and Human”

The future of the supply chain is digital—but not digital at any cost. This presentation contextualizes the current challenges in retail within the framework of geopolitical influences, a shortage of skilled workers, and rising demands for availability and efficiency. Using concrete examples, the presentation demonstrates how connected systems, targeted automation, and an integrated IT landscape can create real added value. The focus is not on the technology itself, but on its contribution to the quality and performance of the supply chain. The human factor remains crucial: culture, skills, and collaboration are the foundation for sustainable success in an increasingly digitized world.

Read more

Moderation

Kai Althoff

CEO | 4flow

Chairman | BVL

Speaker

Peter Maly

Member of the Management Board – REWE COO, Logistics and Supply Chain Management | REWE Markt GmbH

10:30 - 11:00

Flag of Germany

Logistics Service Providers

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Main Stage

Deliver.Now: From a Mode of Transport to the Backbone of Competitive Supply Chains in Europe

Whether European supply chains become resilient and climate-friendly will also depend on rail transport. Geopolitical uncertainties, fragile networks, and rising cost pressures are increasing the need for action. At the same time, customers expect reliable, transparent, and easy-to-use solutions. To achieve this, rail freight transport must improve significantly: with more efficient structures, greater operational resilience, easier access, and real-time transparency. In this interview, Mr. Althoff and Mr. Osburg discuss which levers are now critical and how rail can become the strategic backbone of competitive supply chains in Europe.

Read more

Moderation

Kai Althoff

CEO | 4flow

Chairman | BVL

Speaker

Bernhard Osburg

Member of the Board of Directors for Rail Freight Deutsche Bahn AG | Chairman of the Board of DB Cargo AG

11:15 - 11:45

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Expo Center Stage

Growth Is Killing Your Supply Chain—Unless You Rethink It Now

Global uncertainty, rising complexity, and fragile supply networks are hitting mid-sized businesses where it hurts most: speed and decision-making. Those continuing to rely on rigid processes risk losing not only visibility - but ultimately market share. Discover how companies use real-time data, end-to-end transparency, and scalable structures to actively manage their supply chains - and turn increasing complexity into real strength. ???? A session for those who don’t just react, but set the pace.

Read more

With the kind support of

Speaker

Leo Geurtsen

Pre-Sales Engineer | Sage

Speaker

Alexander Trautmann

Head of SSG Germany | Sage GmbH

11:15 - 12:15

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Networking

CurioStage

Science Award for Supply Chain Management 2026, Final Pitches

The finalists shortlisted by the jury will get straight to the point – they will present their work in very brief pitches.

Following the pitches, they will answer questions from the jury, whose members will then select the awardee 2026.

To find out more about the Science Award for Supply Chain Management, go to https://www.bvl.de/en/sascm

Read more

With the kind support of

Moderation

Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan

President | Kühne Logistics University

Speaker

Dr. Anne Fischer

Speaker

Dr. Charlotte Haid

Speaker

Dr. Christoph Kerscher

Speaker

Dr. Timo Lehmann

14:45 - 15:30

Flag of Germany

Logistics Service Providers

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Kaleidoscope Stage

Transformation Dating Game

The moderator guides participants through the topics of transformation and digitalization in the supply chain with targeted questions. Shippers clearly articulate their challenges and connect with the right solution and logistics partners. The result: a quick match between supply and demand, concrete ideas for the next steps—and, in the best-case scenario, the perfect match.

Read more

Speaker

Johannes Berg

Director Corporate Affairs | HHLA AG

14:45 - 15:30

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Innovation Strategies in Technology & Automation

LogTech Stage

Co-Creation in the Supply Chain: Solving Chaotic Problems Together.

The more diffuse the problem and the more stakeholders are involved in the solution, the more chaotic the problem becomes. However, this is inherent in supply chain challenges. Open innovation and co-creation can be used to tackle these challenges in a targeted manner. This session demonstrates how this works in practice.

Read more

Moderation

Julian Kakarott

CEO | Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce

Speaker

Maximilian Birle

Managing Director | mykrone.blue GmbH

Speaker

Steffen Obermann

Leiter zufall.lab | Zufall Logistics Group

16:00 - 16:30

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Workshops

Reporting the News or Shaping the Future? Assessing the Maturity of Your Supply Chain Planning

Is your supply chain planning ready for the future? Join celver and Board for an interactive workshop exploring the key capabilities of modern supply chain planning. Board will open the session and share insights on how to successfully implement modern end-to-end planning in today’s business environment. Through a concise maturity assessment, you will gain valuable insights into your current planning setup, identify potential quick wins, and uncover practical opportunities to improve transparency, collaboration, and planning performance.

Read more

With the kind support of

Speaker

Janek Kapahnke

Business Unit Lead SCM | celver AG

Speaker

Andrés Montes de Oca

Global Director, Supply Chain & Sales | Board Deutschland GmbH

16:00 - 16:45

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Innovation Strategies in Technology & Automation

Kaleidoscope Stage

Turning Risk Into Opportunity – Crisis as Driving Force for Digital Transformation – Investing in the Digital Future Despite Crisis

The crises of recent years and the sheer scale of the changes have, in some cases, come as a shock to many companies (particularly those in Germany), leading to a hesitant approach to investing in the digital future. For many companies, this period is now over, and they are driving forward their digital supply chain transformations as a top priority, even though these companies face major economic challenges (for example, the automotive, chemical and large parts of the mechanical engineering sectors). How can this balancing act be successfully managed, and what do successful strategies look like?

Read more

Moderation

Swapnil S. Nimbalkar

Leiter CT Supply Chain Execution Advisory | PwC DE

Speaker

Dr. Tobias Harzer

Member of the Board of Management, Automation & Warehouse Equipment | Jungheinrich

Speaker

Andreas Koetz

Leiter Zentrales Supply Chain Management | ZF

17:00 - 18:00

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Geopolitics & Defense in SCM

Kaleidoscope Stage

Supply Chains in the Spotlight – Cyber Governance Rather Than a Patchwork Approach: Roles, Decision-Making, and Cooperation Between the State, the Bundeswehr, and the Private Sector

Digitalisation makes supply chains faster and more resilient – but also more vulnerable. A panel discussion will examine how companies can protect themselves, their products and their supply chains – as critical infrastructure – against attacks by criminals and suspected (quasi-)state actors: What strategic guidelines and support services are available from the authorities; what military situational assessments and principles does the Bundeswehr contribute; and what governance, role and decision-making models do companies need at the top level? This exchange can serve as a framework for refining priorities and identifying possible next steps.

Read more

Moderation

Alpha Barry

CEO | secida AG

Speaker

Hannelore Mayr

CEO | CIM

Speaker

Manuel Bach

BSI - Head of the Cybersecurity Division for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) | Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik

Speaker

Generalleutnant Michael Vetter

Director-General and Chief Information Officer | Bundesministerium der Verteidigung

Advisory Board | BVL

Speaker

Petra Schlör

Chief Information Security Officer | SSI SCHÄFER

17:15 - 17:45

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

AI & Machine Learning

Expo Center Stage

Everyone’s Talking About AI and Data. We’re Asking: What Has It Actually Done for You?

AI, data quality, partnerships—the industry has been discussing these topics for years. But what actually happened in 2026? In this session, moderator Thomas Kistner, author of the Transporeon DACH Trend Report 2026, will challenge industry experts with the forecasts made at the beginning of the year—openly, critically, and without sugarcoating. What worked? What didn’t? And what does this mean for the decisions you need to make now? Bring your perspective to the discussion. (Session held in German)

Read more

With the kind support of

Speaker

Thomas Kistner

Inhaber & Geschäftsführer | BRICKLOG Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG

17:30 - 18:00

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Networking

LogTech Stage

Science Award for Supply Chain Management 2026 – Awarding Ceremony

The Science Award for Supply Chain Management 2026 will be presented as part of the BVL Supply Chain CX. On Wednesday morning, the finalists presented their work in pitches. Taking these presentations into account, the jury has reached a decision on the winner of the Science Award for Supply Chain Management 2026. This session will feature the official announcement of the winner and the award ceremony.
Prof. Andreas Kaplan will chair the session; Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Wolfgang Kersten, as chair of the jury, will deliver the laudatory speech; and Dr Paul Cleven, representing the prize sponsor Dachser SE, will address the winner.

Read more

With the kind support of

Moderation

Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan

President | Kühne Logistics University

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kersten

Chair of the Jury | Science Award for SCM

Professor | Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Logistics and General Management

Speaker

Dr. Paul Cleven

Corporate Director Marketing | DACHSER

Thursday, 22.10.2026

10:15 - 11:15

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Logistics Service Providers

CurioStage

Collaboration as Response to Change – How Logistics Trends Are Driving New Forms of Collaboration

Global supply chains are undergoing profound changes: digitalisation, geopolitical uncertainties, rising customer expectations and regulatory requirements are changing the rules of the game in logistics. However, the crucial question is not which trends are shaping the industry, but how companies are responding to them.
This session highlights collaboration as a strategic success factor in modern logistics. Experts will discuss how greater interconnection between companies, partners and ecosystems can lead to more resilient, efficient and sustainable value creation networks. Drawing on current developments and real-world examples, the session will demonstrate how collaboration along the supply chain is evolving from a competitive advantage into a fundamental prerequisite for future viability.

Read more

Moderation

Niklas Stanislawski

Project Lead Retail Logistics | EHI Retail Institute

Speaker

François-Régis Le Tourneau

VP Corporate Responsibility | L'Oréal

Advisory Board | BVL

Speaker

Tobias Hartmann

Team Lead SCM Int. (Load Carriers, Recyclables & Sustainability Management in Transport) | Kaufland

11:00 - 11:45

Flag of Germany

Logistics Service Providers

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Expo Center Stage

The Warehouse Decides – Why the Future of E-Commerce Starts in the Supply Chain

Fast delivery, product availability and seamless customer experiences are often seen as the key drivers of e-commerce success. Yet the real value is created where customers rarely look: within the supply chain and the warehouse. Bringing together the perspectives of e-commerce and contract logistics, this masterclass explores how strategic decisions across fulfillment, inventory and supply chain design shape growth, profitability and resilience. Through practical examples, we will demonstrate why modern logistics has evolved far beyond fulfillment to become a strategic driver of competitive advantage and long-term business success.

Read more

With the kind support of

Speaker

Adrian Dietrich

Head of Business Development Contract Logistics North Europe Continent | Maersk

Speaker

Stein van Est

Global Head of E-commerce Solutions | Maersk

11:45 - 12:30

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Innovation Strategies in Technology & Automation

Main Stage

Transformation Into the Autonomous Era of Supply Chain Management

A comprehensive overview of the digitalisation and automation of supply chains, with a particular focus on planning and control. This is driven by the technical capabilities of IT systems, including AI agents, which take on autonomous planning and control functions. This session aims to provide an insight into the implementation of such systems and to share initial experiences. It will also offer an outlook on the impact on supply chain organisations of the future.

Read more

With the kind support of

Moderation

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alice Kirchheim

Managing Director | Fraunhofer IML

Speaker

Dr. Dominic Erdtmann

VP Sales EMEA | project44

Speaker

Matthias Hülsmann

Senior Vice President (E2E) Logistics | Bosch Mobility Aftermarket

13:30 - 14:00

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Expo Center Stage

When Supply Chains Learn to Think - How AI Is Reorchestrating Transportation, Warehousing, and Global Trade

Volatility, cost and capacity pressures, labor shortages, and international trade risks are fundamentally changing the demands placed on modern logistics. This presentation shows why the next stage of development will not be driven by isolated digital tools, but by intelligent, connected decisions across transportation, warehousing, partner networks, and global trade. Practical examples demonstrate how embedded AI, real-time data, and integrated platforms connect fragmented processes to create a learning, resilient logistics network.

Read more

With the kind support of

Speaker

Jürgen Hindler

Director Supply Chain Management Strategie DACH | Oracle Deutschland

Speaker

Fabian Stahmann

Supply Chain Practice Lead Germany | Deloitte Consulting GmbH

Speaker

Marc Alexander Backhaus

Head of Manufacturing & Logistics | Oracle

13:45 - 14:30

Flag of Germany

Digitalization of Supply Chains

Main Stage

Holistic Digitalisation Strategy – E2E – From Patchwork to Fully Integrated Strategies

IT architectures for the supply chain have often evolved over the years as a result of silo-based decision-making and do not follow a holistic strategy. Many companies are now moving away from this approach; they are developing holistic IT roadmaps and implementing them consistently. These sessions are designed to offer decision-makers and strategists the opportunity to learn from this and apply the insights to their own organisations.

Read more

Moderation

Dr.-Ing. Marc Schleyer

Partner | 4flow

Speaker

Tim-Ole Böhm

Head of Industrial Participation and Offset | HENSOLDT

Speaker

J. Felix Becker

Vice President Global Supply Chain | Voith Turbo

13:45 - 14:30

Flag of Germany

Logistics Service Providers

Digitalization of Supply Chains

CurioStage

Carrier Power vs. Shipper Objectives: Industrial Procurement Between Spot Market and Contracts

In a transport market with limited capacity and strong negotiating power held by carriers and freight forwarders, shippers from industry and trade face the challenge of simultaneously managing price, reliability, and flexibility. The panel brings together logistics buyers who openly discuss the current challenges they encounter in the transport market. They talk about how to make themselves more attractive to service providers through better planning and operational process quality, how partnerships need to be actively maintained on both sides, and when spot markets should be deliberately used as a flex instrument. The goal is a pragmatic exchange of experiences with actionable takeaways for everyday procurement.

Read more

Moderation

Gunnar Gburek

Company Spokesman & Head of Business Affairs | TIMOCOM

Speaker

Benjamin Stauch

Head of operational order management | MC-Bauchemie

Speaker

Aigul Zhalgassova

Global Transport Management | Siemens AG

Speaker

Martin Heider

Leiter Einkauf logistischer Dienstleistungen, Deutschland | Henkel