6 Things I Learned On a DHL Tour

What does the future of logistics really look like? In this episode, host Blythe Milligan shares details on her recent behind-the-scenes tour of DHL’s Export Facility and Innovation Center in Chicago. From sorting 10,000 packages an hour with only a dozen employees to integrating robotics and generative AI, the tour demonstrates how tech and transparency are reshaping the supply chain. This episode truly highlights how one of the world’s largest logistics companies is using automation to drive efficiency and scale. Key takeaways: DHL’s export facility in Chicago can process up to 10,000 packages per hour with just 12 employees on the floor. Robotics like Robust AI and Boston Dynamics' Spot are already being tested in real-world warehouse environments. The company is rolling out a global generative AI hub with over 75,000 users across 140 countries. AI tools now handle customs processing at massive scale, including 35 million customs entries. New delivery methods like e-bikes from Rytle aim to tackle the challenges of last-mile logistics in dense urban areas.LINKS:DHL's WebsiteDHL's Logistics Trend RadarWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.