2023 CASES REVIEW

Cainiao is a global logistics and data-driven technology company affiliated with Alibaba Group. Cainiao's business covers five major sectors: international logistics and supply chain, domestic logistics supply chain, urban and rural terminals, logistics real estate, and logistics technology.

 

Students are asked to develop a more efficient recycling system for Cainiao to collect recycling items that are easy and convenient for consumers. The goal is to increase participation in Cainiao's green recycling efforts in China, thereby generating a greater positive impact on the environment.

AI Cargo Foundation is an innovation hub that accelerates digital collaborative practices and the adoption of artificial intelligence to assist the Transportation & Logistics sector in its energy and environmental transition.

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The challenge is for students to design a software suite capable of decarbonizing the logistics industry. Their aim is to harness the power of digital technology to effectively reduce emissions in freight transport while retaining control of the technology for maximum adaptability and impact.

Babemax is a business headquartered in Shanghai, China specializing in the sales of maternal and infant products.

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The challenge is for students to design a more efficient and sustainable method to deliver products from its warehouses to its retail stores. Students are to recommend the best option and justify the recommendation based on cost and sustainability factors. Students can use existing storage solutions such as pallets or design a completely new storage/packaging solution. Additionally, the system should address tracking to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.

LONGi is a global leader in photovoltaic technology producing electricity from sunlight. Its business has expanded to over 150 countries and regions worldwide, with manufacturing bases in such countries as China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. As part of its expansion strategy, LONGi has identified Europe as a key target market for its high-quality solar products.

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Students are asked to design a supply chain to balance the imperative of implementing green carbon reduction measures to reduce emissions with the challenge of managing rising transportation costs in the context of expanding LONGi’s presence in international markets, such as Europe.

Nulogy is an award-winning provider of supply chain collaboration solutions. Its cloud-based multi-enterprise platform synchronizes consumer brands with their external supply chain partners to respond seamlessly to a volatile retail and consumer environment, while reducing waste and costs, and accelerating brand growth. The Nulogy Platform has been implemented in hundreds of contract manufacturing, co-packing, third-party logistics, and raw material and packaging sites all around the globe.

 

The student’s challenge is to come up with a solution that provides visibility into carbon emissions that are produced at every stage of the process to create a finished product. The solution should account for the level of visibility each organization gets into the carbon emission data and the data ownership rights of each organization. The solution should also account for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for each organization in the extended supply chain.

Schneider Electric is a Global Fortune 500 company. Its products include production automation, electrical usage, and software solutions, aimed at helping customers better control and monitor their power consumption. Schneider Electric is ranked no. 1 in Gartner's supply chain rankings.

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Schneider Electric would like students to investigate alternative truck configurations, transport modes, or alternative energy vehicles to propose a transport solution to reduce its CO2 emissions to help it achieve its carbon reduction goals.

Supply Chain Innovation Center and Business Incubator (SCICBI) which is one of the 15 Illinois Innovation Network hubs, a state-wide network led by the University of Illinois system. SCICBI aims to develop and introduce smart logistics innovations to make Illinois one of the nation’s most advanced transportation and logistics hubs. SCICBI believes that there is an opportunity to integrate the emerging technology of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) to move cargo in the region.

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Students are asked to develop a concept for integrating cargo eVTOL with air cargo operations at a regional airport with the goal of improving the middle mile transport and reducing the environmental impact in the Chicago region.