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The four-year innovation programme Logistics and Supply Chains, led by the top institute Dinalog, started in November 2009. Dialogic was commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Agentschap NL) to conduct the baseline measurement for this innovation programme, co-financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (formerly the Ministry of Economic Affairs) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. For this assignment, Dialogic is designing a measurement tool that will also be used for the mid-term review (MTR) and the final assessment. Subsequently, this tool will map the initial situation of the programme and its environment, particularly focusing on excellence (economic and knowledge position), contribution to the economy and society, and cohesion & collaboration.
The logistics sector is a key driver of the Dutch economy, and a significant part of the services sector. Traditionally, the sector is viewed solely in terms of transport and storage-related activities. However, the economic significance of the sector is broader, encompassing logistics as a function (e.g. for shippers) that intersects with almost all clusters, such as manufacturing, chemistry, and food. Additionally, numerous activities support the logistics process (e.g. financial, recruitment, or maintenance). The added value of all activities in Logistics and Supply Chains was estimated at around €40 billion (8% of GDP) in 2007, with employment at approximately 746,000 people (TNO, 2008).
Building on the recognised importance of the sector, the Laarhoven committee formulated a future vision and corresponding ambition, stating:
"...to establish the European market leadership for the Netherlands by 2020 in managing transnational flows that pass through one or more European countries, directed from centralised control functions of market parties."
The Laarhoven committee quantified this ambition for 2020 by aiming to triple the added value in chain governance and configuration, outlined in an innovation programme since late 2008. This programme aims for the Netherlands to excel internationally in this area, leveraging the country's strengths and the opportunities provided by international developments for businesses and knowledge centres, particularly in the areas of Cross Chain Control Center (4C), service logistics, and the hub control role.
For more information, please contact: Hugo Gillebaard or Hans Schaffers, telephone: 030-2150580 or email: gillebaard@dialogic.nl / schaffers@dialogic.nl