Dortmund has long been recognised as one of Germany’s leading logistics hubs – a place where tradition meets technology, and innovation turns into impact. From smart sensors and AI-powered analytics to digital platforms and international partnerships, the region’s ecosystem is driving the future of logistics in practical, people-centred ways.
Here are three examples that show how Dortmund’s start-ups, SMEs, and industry leaders are shaping the next chapter of intelligent logistics.
1. Start-up Meets Mittelstand: How MotionMiners and META Regalbau Are Transforming Warehouse Logistics
When digital innovation meets decades of hands-on experience, the results often exceed expectations. That’s precisely what happened when Dortmund-based start-up MotionMiners teamed up with Arnsberg’s mid-sized manufacturer META Regalbau.
What began as a pilot project in 2018 has since evolved into a showcase for the digitalisation of manual warehouse processes. MotionMiners’ technology uses wearable sensors and AI-powered analytics to measure and optimise workflows in intralogistics. In their first joint study, the partners analysed META’s order-picking processes – with remarkable results: process times were reduced by up to 20%, bottlenecks became visible, and new employee training approaches were developed.
Today, the partnership has grown strategically. META not only uses the technology internally but also offers it as part of its customer solutions. Together, both companies present their use cases at international trade fairs such as LOGIMAT and transport logistic in Munich.
The takeaway: When start-ups and SMEs work hand in hand, the future of logistics becomes both efficient and globally competitive.
2. Digitalisation as a Bridge: Dortmund’s Logistics Expertise for Europe and Africa
Logistics isn’t only the backbone of the German economy – it’s also a vital bridge for international development. The Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund shows how digital technologies can do more than streamline processes: they can strengthen global collaboration.
One example is the EU project DIGILOGIC, which connects African start-ups with European logistics expertise. Dortmund contributes its full innovative power – from cloud-based supply chain tools and AI-driven warehouse management to blockchain applications for transparency and trust.
A special focus lies on the last mile – ensuring reliable delivery in both urban and rural areas. Smart route planning and connected transport solutions help conserve resources while increasing supply reliability. Predictive maintenance of machines and vehicles is another field where Dortmund’s ecosystem excels.
As Thorsten Hülsmann, Managing Director of the Hub, puts it:
“We don’t develop technology for technology’s sake. Our solutions are meant to make a tangible difference – whether in Dortmund, Dakar, or Dar es Salaam.”
In essence: Dortmund’s innovation network doesn’t stop at regional borders – it builds bridges across continents.
3. From Steel Coils to Digital Platforms: How Risse+Wilke Is Embracing Berlin’s Start-up Spirit
Digitalisation hasn’t stopped at the steel industry’s gates. Risse+Wilke, a long-established cold-rolled steel manufacturer from the Sauerland region, has embraced the shift head-on – through a bold collaboration with Berlin-based start-up Vanilla Steel.
What began as a simple sales channel for surplus materials has grown into a strategic partnership. Today, Risse+Wilke operates its own digital spare parts platform, where industrial companies can share inventory. The aim: avoid costly machine downtime caused by missing parts – with something akin to an “eBay for industry”, but professional, secure, and efficient.
Launched as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), the platform now counts over 200 participating companies. It’s a prime example of how a tangible challenge – long delivery times and high storage costs – can be turned into a scalable business model.
Managing Director Christoph Schöttler sums it up neatly:
“For us, digitalisation isn’t an end in itself. It’s a tool to solve real problems – and create new opportunities.”
A Shared Vision for the Future of Logistics
From AI and wearables to international cooperation and industrial platforms, these three showcases highlight how Dortmund’s logistics ecosystem blends innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact.
Whether in local warehouses or across global supply chains, the region is proving that digital transformation works best when it’s done together – by start-ups, established firms, and forward-thinking partners united by one goal:
making logistics smarter, more sustainable, and more human.
