GXO Logistics has launched an Open Innovation programme designed to identify, test and scale new technologies across the UK and Ireland.

Designed and delivered in collaboration with global innovation specialist L Marks, the GXO Accelerator programme will bring together startups, scale-ups and technology specialists to explore practical solutions to some of the sector’s most pressing operational challenges.

Paul Durkin, chief operating officer, UK & Ireland at GXO, said collaboration with innovative technology partners was essential to staying ahead of fast-paced changes in supply chains.

“GXO Accelerator will give innovative technology companies the opportunity to work directly with our teams to tackle real operational challenges and demonstrate the value their solutions can bring to logistics operations, today and tomorrow.”

The programme will enable selected companies to participate in a 12-week cohort collaborating with GXO experts in real-world logistics settings to implement solutions that have the potential to drive greater efficiency, resilience and sustainability across supply chains. 

The programme will focus on four key innovation themes vital to the logistics industry: Defence and Infrastructure Logistics; Digital Transport; Future Workforce; and Wild Card / Open Season. The latter covers technologies that fall outside the defined categories but have clear potential to create operational value for GXO.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with GXO’s operational and technology teams in structured test-learn cycles, gaining access to real world scenarios to refine their solutions, with the potential to scale successful innovations within GXO’s UK&I operations.

Daniel Saunders, CEO at L Marks said: “GXO’s scale and reach allow technology companies to pilot their solutions in real logistics environments and work directly with the teams responsible for running them. Having worked alongside Wincanton as its innovation partner since 2017, it’s great to see that foundation evolve into GXO Accelerator and to help take the programme into its next phase.” 

To date, 30 technology businesses have participated in Wincanton’s W2 Labs programme, before it was integrated into GXO, establishing a strong foundation for the GXO Accelerator. Featured technologies included AI-powered vehicle damage detection; predictive behaviour forecasting, autonomous mobile robots; continuous labour optimisation-fuelled by machine learning; global asset intelligence and visibility; online recruitment assessment tools; and innovative approaches to utilising spare freight and warehouse capacity.