Program
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Registration of participants
Opening words
The human factor in the AI era: What role do we play in modern logistics?
Automation and artificial intelligence are fundamentally changing the face of logistics, affecting not only the processes themselves, but also the people who work in the industry. Thanks to new technologies, warehousing, transport and distribution are being optimized, leading to faster and more efficient operations. AI-based systems can analyze huge amounts of data in real time, predict demand or optimize delivery routes, minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency. However, all of this means that traditional logistics jobs are undergoing a significant transformation. In this presentation, we will learn how technology and processes will change logistics, what the new competencies are for logistics managers, what the new competencies are for logistics workers, and how to prepare for these changes.
Innovation drives logistics and transportation
Innovation is the key to the advancement of the logistics and transport industry. New technologies, products, and services are constantly developed, in most cases by suppliers, who then bring their new ideas to their clients. But these new ideas and solutions need the highest amount of publicity to find the right customers with which to implement them and bring them to life. For that reason, as part of our focus on new technologies and solutions for the logistics and transportation industry, we have invited three key suppliers to briefly present and discuss their new solutions at this year’s SLOVLOG congress:
Štefan Maňúr of HOPI SK will introduce us to HOPI’s digital information education system. Although many logistics jobs will be replaced by automation and emerging artificial intelligence in the coming years, logistics as a whole cannot do without people. Relationship roles and positions responsible for creating solutions for clients will be key, and for that reason HOPI is paying attention to employee training with this trend in mind.
Peter Mačuš of Jungheinrich will talk about the adaptive supply of production lines by autonomous robots (AMR). The presentation will provide insight into the current challenges in internal logistics and cover ways to respond flexibly to changing demand, whether it is possible to replace picking trolleys and tractors, and the keys to effective human-robot collaboration.
Jakub Velko of 108 Real Estate will present the interactive map of land, industrial and logistics real estate in Slovakia. The map allows filtering of parks by class standards (A, B, C) and provides key information about individual locations. It shows the proximity to the main transport infrastructure, allows precise geographic location of parks. Clients can search for properties according to various criteria and analyze them by use, giving them an overview of suitable premises for business activities.
This innovation-focused block will be moderated by Martina Le Gall Maláková, who is among many other things the founder of the Industrial Innovation Cluster. Ms. Le Gall Maláková has extensive international experience in the creation and implementation of both national and international innovation policies. In her career, she has supported the innovation ecosystem through the transfer of knowledge from research, development, and innovation into practice and the support for Slovak talents and innovators.
Morning coffee break
Panel discussion: Beyond AI – Human value in the logistics of the future
The world of logistics is waking up to a new era defined by automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence. These revolutionary trends bring the promise of unprecedented efficiency and optimization, but they also raise a disturbing question: What is the future of humans in this ongoing upheaval? Are we facing the demise of logistics jobs, or will humans become key strategists in this more dynamic and sophisticated environment? If so, what skills and competencies will they need most in the future? Will the majesty of the human in logistics last much longer, and will it ever end? Views on these and other questions will be heard exclusively in a morning panel discussion with leading representatives of providers and users of logistics services and products.
Debatu bude moderovat Tatiana Koššová, country manager SK společnosti ATOZ Group.
Lunch & BizLOG
BizLOG speed-dating meetings
Why take part?
The aim of the BizLOG program is to mediate meetings between partners and participants of the SLOVLOG congress. Listen briefly and without obligation to the offers of the leading suppliers of logistics and transport products or services. One meeting will take 10 minutes, and if you are interested, you can arrange a follow-up individual meeting.
Who can take part?
Only a company which is a partner of the congress can participate in the BizLOG section from the side of the supplier. However, on the other side of the negotiating table can be anyone who is interested in learning more about the offered product or service without commitment.
How to take part?
Participants can first choose whom they want to meet and when. The profiles of the companies taking part and a brief overview of their offer will be posted on the website of the congress a few weeks before the event. We will also contact all participants and ask them to set up their meetings, and we will give the partners a chance to choose participants that they want to meet. On the day of the event, you will be given your individual plan for the day. But don’t worry – even though BizLOG takes place during the lunch break, we will make sure that you have time to eat.
Afternoon sections
HR ROUNDTABLE
This year, the Slovak labor market was mainly influenced by low unemployment and high inflation. According to experts, there was a shortage of candidates in all fields in 2023. Among the most in demand were workers in manufacturing and logistics, as well as white-collar workers – accountants, sales representatives and managers. Along with the introduction of robots and new technologies, entirely new jobs are being created. Amazon claims to have created over 700 different new positions in recent years alone that did not exist in the past, and over 50 thousand jobs will be upgraded. But it seems that the strong development of the logistics market is only hampered by a shortage of labor. At the same time, companies moving towards automation and robotics face several challenges – aspects such as finance, profitability, less flexibility, the current capabilities of technology suppliers or the need to find a balance between machines and human workers.
The moderator will be Roman Molek from TRANSEARCH International.
Afternoon section: intralogistics
Intralogistics today is witnessing the most dynamic development in the field of technology, which is why we dedicated a separate afternoon block to it. A series of engaging case studies await you, featuring company representatives (users) who have already successfully implemented innovations in intralogistics. You will learn first-hand how the implementation of the new solutions went and what results they produced. Case studies will focus on topics such as automation and robotization, digitalization of logistics processes, packaging management and warehousing.
Afternoon section: transport and SCM
Parallel to the Intralogistics section, there will also be a section focusing on what is happening outside the company. The topic will be transport and supply-supply chains. These two areas are closely interlinked, which has been particularly evident in recent years in the context of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russian aggression in Ukraine, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region. The presentations will introduce the distribution models for returnable packaging backup in the EU and look at the current conditions in the road transport market.
Panel discussion: Are halls ready for automation and robotics?
The automation and robotization of intralogistics are discussed in all forums, less so the basic prerequisites for their development, i.e. the preparation of halls. What prevents the placement of automated and robotic warehouse technology in old halls? What technical adaptations are needed in the old halls? How expensive is it to build a sustainable new hall on a brownfield site and install automated or robotic systems in it? Will it work out cheaper on a greenfield site if legislative, ESG and economic requirements are taken into account? What are the basic and superior technical requirements for new halls with automation or robotics? To what extent are manufacturing companies willing to invest in new halls or brownfield redevelopment to build automated or robotic warehouses? We will try to answer these questions in a panel discussion with representatives of companies that automate, those that offer automation and developers who build industrial real estate.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Patricia Jakešová, retail management expert.
Afternoon coffee break
Joint afternoon program
ESG and logistics – how to link business and sustainability strategy
At a time when companies are preparing for increased ESG regulatory requirements, executives often forget to leverage ESG as a strategic opportunity. This talk aims to introduce metrics that are not only tracked in ESG reporting, but are also used as criteria for obtaining better business financing and can be used as an opportunity in tenders. We will answer these and other questions during the presentation: How to properly link ESG to a company’s existing strategy? Which metrics are important for logistics and transportation? Why is it necessary to set tangible goals in ESG?
Panel discussion: Circular economy in logistics – between sustainability and economic challenges
Increasing pressure for sustainability requires logistics companies to become active players in the transition to low-carbon economies. This panel discussion focuses on the relationship between logistics and responsibility, highlighting key aspects such as environmental impacts, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. We will look at how the long period of inflation has affected the economy and how this has affected logistics. What regulatory and financial factors influence the implementation of circular principles in logistics? How can logistics companies use the Green Deal requirements as an opportunity to transform their processes? How have the ESG and CSRD requirements affected companies in logistics and transport, whether from a financial, regulatory, innovation or organizational perspective? Given the confluence of promising trends and challenging factors, the question arises: Will Slovak logistics be sustainable enough?
The panel discussion will be moderated by Marta Jančkárová.
Evening program
Logistics Business Mixer
After the end of the conference program, the Logistics Business Mixer, a popular highlight of the congress day, awaits professionals. It is the ideal place to establish new business contacts or strengthen existing ones. The participants of the congress can look forward to a beer tasting from the Plzeňský Prazdroj company, coctails from Coca Cola and great live music.
PreReturnable box: circular packaging in retail and e-commerce logistics
Traditional industries have been familiar with returnable packaging for several years. However, their manufacturers do not always have or provide options on how to modify the packaging and how to dispose of the packaging after its useful life. By closing the material flows between the producer-recycler and its customers – the packaging customers – there is the potential to save material resources, dramatically reduce the cost of packaging materials for companies and reduce the CO2e produced in the packaging sector. The project to develop returnable packaging as a replacement for the original disposable packaging brought with it a number of challenges, but overcoming them gradually resulted in an innovative packaging solution. Cost, ergonomics and safety of transport, quality and reduction of the amount of disposable packaging waste produced were positively affected. Using the example of an implemented project at Telekom in cooperation with Packeta, the presentation will show how returnable packaging can influence the economics and ecology of logistics in e-commerce and retail.
The smart warehouse of the future – how to serve customers better
The presentation will give an insight into the warehouse automation process from the initial analysis and identification of key requirements to the final implementation of the solution. It will explore the various technologies that were part of the selection process and offer an overview of the criteria that led to the selection of Element Logic as the ideal partner for this project. The presentation will showcase the different phases of the project – from design, through technology integration to full operation. It will also include practical insights and valuable experience from the first three months of live operation, which allowed to evaluate the efficiency of the automated system and identify potential areas for optimization.
Logistics automation under the tact of an integration platform
eD System’s logistics center has seen the biggest innovation in its history. The warehouse received a new automated and picking solution that has significantly impacted logistics processes from receiving to dispatch. The implementation of the proposed solution took 14 months and was carried out with the warehouse fully operational without negatively impacting the delivery of shipments to customers. The project involved the supply of 16 vertical stackers – 8 compact double stackers and 8 compact double stackers and a fully automatic conveyor line with four picking zones equipped with Pick-to-Light technology. All technologies are controlled by the WCS VertiNode AI system, which communicates with the parent WMS system and provides two-way information exchange. The aim of the project was to automate and streamline the picking processes and increase the capacity of the orders processed, which corresponds to their continuous growth.
Transformation of warehousing in RUDOS – increase of warehouse space without the need to build new halls
In RUDOS RUZOMBEROK the first module was implemented in 2019 and currently 4 modules are installed. 3 ML75D modules are used for storage of material, semi-finished and finished products. The SLIM module which is installed in the production hall is used to store jigs for CNC machining equipment. When considering vertical warehouses, the company mainly had two objectives. The first objective was to increase the company’s storage space, as the company had no storage capacity. RUDOS is located in the middle of the village with significantly limited possibilities for the construction of new halls. The objective was met as the original 250m2 of storage space was handed over to the compressor completion service and by implementing three ML modules in the warehouse, they were able to create additional storage space of approximately 900m2 without the need to build new storage halls. The modules have had a major impact on the efficient operation and organisation of the warehouse.
Current conditions on the road transport market in Slovakia
The current conditions on the road transport market in Slovakia are significantly affected by the shortage of drivers. This shortage is largely due to the retirement of older drivers and the low interest of young people in entering the industry. Slovak haulers are therefore increasingly looking for drivers in third countries. The current state of the market is also influenced by the pressure for digitisation and greening. This pressure is also amplified by ESG requirements, which affect business strategies and the long-term sustainability of the transport sector.
Distribution models for deposit return systems in the EU
A properly set-up model of the picking system is a key element of efficient material logistics management. This model directly affects the satisfaction of the parties involved in the deposit return system and its success depends on many factors. The presentation will present different approaches to setting up the right model for material logistics, but also practical experiences from the Slovak deposit return system or other European countries that have faced different challenges and found successful solutions in the field of distribution of collected material.
From kitchen salt to international logistics: How Sped Tempus achieved success thanks to artificial intelligence
Sped Tempus specialises in the sale of salt from kitchen salt to sprinkling salt. The presentation will show how the implementation of a road freight marketplace system has led to increased efficiency for the company. It will showcase situations where the system instantly replaces a dropped carrier, ensuring supply chain continuity. In addition, it will show how the use of artificial intelligence, which the company is currently testing, is contributing to a significant acceleration of work processes. Last but not least, the presentation will focus on the expansion of Sped Tempus to other countries and the real use of the system internationally.
Panel discussion: New challenges for SCM and transport management – at the crossroads of trucks, people and technology
The key themes in transport and SCM are digitalisation and automation – the introduction of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain and cybersecurity. The focus is on low- and zero-emission transport, route optimisation, the use of renewable energy and the circular economy. All this requires building resilient and flexible logistics networks, creating new business models based on cooperation between the different actors in the logistics chain, including producers, transporters, employees and customers. While technology is permeating logistics and changing the way goods move around the world, humans remain an integral part of this complex system. What does this mean for transportation employees? Are companies ready to retrain employees? Will there be enough drivers? Whereas in the past drivers were considered ‘kings of the road’, today they face more frequent inspections, higher demands for safety and accountability. What does it take to be a driver today compared to the past? Can companies attract the younger generation of drivers? How will transport and SCM jobs be transformed? What will be the importance of human capital in the future of logistics?
The panel discussion will be moderated by Vladimír Maťo, editor-in-chief of the magazine Systémy Logistiky.
How well-established manufacturing systems, along with company culture and values, create an environment for automation
An inspiring presentation on why it is necessary to have not only internal processes and systems, but also company culture and values well set up for successful automation and digitalization. Also about the knowledge and skills employees need to be active participants in such a transformation.
ROUND TABLE FOR HR MANAGERS AND MANAGERS IN LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT
Presentation, which will present what awaits employers and what is the future of the labour market in Slovakia. The impact of the technological revolution and demographic changes on our labour market and how organisations will be able to cope with these changes.
The future of work in logistics – Trasformation of jobs
In the dynamically changing world of logistics, advanced technology, automation and A.I. are the main drivers of change in the job market. This presentation will focus on the key trends that will affect the structure of jobs in logistics and offer insight into how the industry is adapting to these changes.
The moderator will be Roman Molek from TRANSEARCH International.
New MTBIKER robotic warehouse
The new MTBIKER robotic warehouse moved to the new SIHOTPARK logistics center near Trencin in January 2023. In addition to the classic 2,000 pallet places, they also invested in a robotic warehouse on over 4,600 m2 of space. The Slovak supplier Photoneo with its Brightpick product equipped the hall with 19 robots and 17,000 crates, which currently allows MTBIKER to ship over 2,000 orders per day, with room for further growth. Robotics contributes 60% of the total shipping. From the warehouse the entire European Union market, 7 language domains of the e-shop, the outdoor project MTHIKER is served. Logistic fulfillment is provided to two B2B entities. In 2024, the MTBIKER group announced a 30% growth in turnover.
Martin Palenčík, the sales director of MTBIKER, will lead the excursion.
Automated distribution center Sport Vision West EU
The state-of-the-art distribution center in Seredi enables us to efficiently supply 160 stores and 12 online shops in five markets: Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia.
The success in supply centralization is due to the state-of-the-art automation and modern technologies in place, as well as specially designed interfaces supported by our partners. The AutoStore warehouse system, equipped with 60,000 storage bins, efficiently delivers products to employees based on real-time orders. This collaboration has resulted in up to 70 percent savings in warehouse space for Sport Vision and has also increased the speed of order picking and store replenishment.
In addition, the Sorter machine streamlines merchandise preparation for 125 stores simultaneously, optimizing the supply chain.
These innovations have greatly simplified operations within Sport Vision’s retail network, resulting in faster product launches and improved product availability for online customers through integration with SAP CAR. The project was finalized in June 2023.
Nenad Ratković, group logistic specialist of Sport Vision, will lead the excursion.
TOMRA Sorting’s state-of-the-art production and distribution facility in Senec
Norwegian company TOMRA is a global leader in sorting technologies used in recycling, food processing and raw material extraction. It creates sophisticated and innovative sensor-based solutions for the optimal use of resources, thus creating added value with greater meaning and purpose, towards sustainability. TOMRA Sorting, Ltd. is TOMRA’s main production site. In 2014, the company moved to its new facility in Prologis park Bratislava. After the expansion of the hall in 2020, the total area of production and administration space has increased to >20,000 m2. TOMRA Food and TOMRA Recycling have all three divisions operating in Slovakia and their production activities here account for up to 80% of TOMRA’s global production of sorting machines. The TOMRA Collection division sells and services deposit machines, 78% of all packaging in Slovakia is returned through TOMRA machines.
Marek Kuceravy, lean & facility manager of TOMRA Food, will lead the excursion.
New distribution warehouse Hossa family
Hossa family je slovenská výrobná a distribučná firma, ktorá si na domácom trhu vybudovala pozíciu jedného z najväčších distribútorov mrazených, chladených, suchých potravín a nepotravinového tovaru. Majiteľom firmy je Marián Hossa, ktorého verejnosť doteraz poznala hlavne ako úspešného hokejového hráča z reprezentácie a NHL. Aj keď je spoločnosť Hossa family známa najmä svojimi pirohami, šúľancami, knedlíčkami a haluškami, jej najdôležitejšou činnosťou je logistika a distribúcia. Preto si za logistického partnera vybrala DHL Supply Chain, svetového lídra a poskytovateľa zmluvnej logistiky. DHL Supply Chain Slovakia pre Hossa family riadi zásobovanie a skladovanie novo vzniknutého distribučného skladu v Triblavine, a to v 3 teplotných režimoch (suché, chladené a mrazené), z ktorého zabezpečuje distribúciu tovaru pre západné Slovensko.
Marek Kuki, site manager of DHL Supply Chain Slovakia, will lead the excursion.
Packeta’s new depot
The Bratislava Triblavina depot is the largest Packet depot in Slovakia. Thanks to its area of 8 878 m² it ranks among the largest parcel transshipment depots in Slovakia. It is located in the newly built VGP Park Triblavina in Bernolákov. The strategic location of the depot, just a few kilometres from Bratislava and 500 m from the D1 motorway, enables it to serve customers efficiently. The depot has 14 truck gates and space for 37 vans. When selecting the new depot, Packeta placed great emphasis on sustainability and BREEAM Excellent solutions. The Bratislava Triblavina depot opened in July 2024, relocating both of Bratislava’s depots, from Kopčianska and Na Pántoch.
Michal Magat, Packeta’s Director of Operations and Logistics, will accompany the depot.
