Stefan Hohm

Stefan Hohm is the mastermind behind Dachser's innovation and digitalization strategy and is also a role model for the modernization and digital transformation of the logistics sector itself. At Dachser, he has initiated and successfully implemented complex projects in recent years, including the mapping of a general cargo warehouse in a digital twin and the live tracking of swap bodies and vehicles. Together with Dachser, Hohm is a co-founder of the Open Logistics Foundation, which is dedicated to creating IT standards for the benefit of the entire logistics industry.

Stefan Hohm has been with Dachser for more than 30 years and has worked in almost all areas of the logistics service provider. At the end of the 1990s, when new software was rolled out across Europe, he visited every branch. He managed branches of the company, first in Erfurt and then in Hof. His trips to Silicon Valley, Chengdu in China, Mumbai and the University of Lausanne fundamentally changed his view of digitalization and innovation. This led him to initiate and set up a Research & Development team at Dachser in the mid to late 1920s. Today, as Chief Development Officer, he works closely with the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics in Dortmund, where they jointly operate what is known as the Enterprise Lab, Dachser's innovation laboratory.

Stefan Hohm is tenacious when it comes to implementing innovation projects. At Dachser, the 52-year-old is responsible for IT & Development, which includes research and development, innovation topics, IT, contract logistics and global industry solutions. His focus is on activities that improve business models, services and processes, strengthen Dachser's competitiveness and contribute to a sustainable future for the company. 

Hohm stands for digital transformation at Dachser, and he always keeps an eye on the future viability of the business model. His realistic view of digitalization to an end to adapt processes quickly, securely, and flexibly worldwide and align them with customer benefits is his trademark. 

Among the projects he and his team have initiated in recent years is the mapping of a complete general cargo warehouse in a digital twin, for which Dachser was awarded the German Logistics Prize in 2023.

Another project is "Dachser Emission-Free Delivery", the emission-free delivery of large cities with battery-electric vans and trucks as well as electrically assisted cargo bikes. The concept was launched in Stuttgart's "Kessel" district, which is known for its high traffic congestion. This was followed by Munich, Paris and Copenhagen. As the concept has proved successful for Dachser, at least ten more European cities are to follow by 2025.

The digital innovation projects that have made it from the Dachser Enterprise Lab into practice include an IoT project in which thousands of swap bodies and trailers in Europe are equipped with Internet-of-Things devices and can be tracked in real time via 5G/LPWAN wireless technology. The arrival times of general cargo can thus be calculated more precisely and made available to customers in graphical form.

All projects have one thing in common. They are far more than just rolling out software. Rather, they mark the milestones of a continuous digital transformation. Hohm is committed to ensuring that the logistics sector thinks and acts more digitally in all areas, both within the company and beyond. He exemplifies courage and convinces colleagues to follow this path.

For this reason, he and Dachser are co-initiators of the newly established Open Logistics Foundation. Companies such as Dachser, DB Schenker, duisport and Rhenus want to use this foundation to promote digitalization and create industry-wide accepted de facto standards for basic IT applications - they are convinced that this cannot be achieved on their own. The Open Logistics Foundation wants to make selected software and hardware components that are not competitively differentiating available to all participants in the supply chain openly and free of charge. This makes it possible to create standards and concentrate scarce developer resources on developing their own unique selling points.

Vita

Born in Miltenberg

1992 - 1995: Part-time studies at the Mannheim University of Cooperative Education and Swiss Business School IMD 

1995 - 1996: Assistant to the branch manager at Dachser Frankfurt

1996 - 1999: Consultant at Dachser in Munich

1999 - 2004: Head of department (authorized signatory) at Dachser Kempten (development of the Mikado warehouse management software)

2004 - 2008: Establishment and branch manager of the Dachser branch in Ichtershausen/Erfurt

2008 - 2015: General Manager at Dachser in Hof

2016 - 2020: Corporate Director Corporate Solutions, Research & Development at Dachser, Kempten

2021 - Today: Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Dachser, Kempten