TNO is a leading Dutch independent research organisation which connects people and knowledge in order to create innovations that strengthen the competitive position of Dutch industry and the well-being of society in a sustainable way. Its 3,200-plus professionals work in collaboration with partners in a range of sectors, including logistics as part of its traffic and transport domain.

TNO’s mission has a great deal of overlap with that of the newly established Brightlands Institute for Supply Chain Innovation (BISCI), set up by UM and Limburg province early this year to help boost the regional economy. BISCI and TNO’s Traffic and Transport unit are natural partners, says Professor Gaby Odekerken-Schröder, initiator of BISCI and head of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at Maastricht University. She firmly believes in the power and value of networking in supply chain innovation and the importance of academic research in efforts to boost efficiency in supply chain ecosystems. Here, the two organisations can complement and reinforce each other, she says.

Professor Odekerken-Schröder: “All parties agreed on Friday that there is a need for smart and sustainable supply chain innovations. They stress that fundamental and applied research has a great deal to offer to society in general and industry partners in particular. Before the summer break, BISCI will initiate a follow-up work session with all collaboration partners to ensure a smooth launch of this networked organisation. We aim to be up and running as of 1 September. So keep an eye on this website and social media for further announcements on our joint kick-off event in the autumn of 2019.”