Kenco Plans 30,000-Square-Foot Innovation Lab for Supply Chain Testing
Logistics provider Kenco is developing a 30,000-square-foot innovation lab designed for hands-on supply chain testing and demonstration work with equipment manufacturers.
Third-party logistics provider Kenco has announced plans to open a 30,000-square-foot innovation lab dedicated to hands-on testing and demonstration of supply chain technologies with original equipment manufacturers. The facility is intended to serve as a working environment where OEMs and logistics teams can evaluate equipment, software, and material handling concepts in conditions that mirror real warehouse and distribution operations.
A Working Environment for OEM Collaboration
The lab is being designed as more than a showcase floor. According to the announcement, it will allow manufacturers to bring in conveyor systems, automated storage units, robotics, and related hardware for staged trials, while Kenco personnel help configure workflows and measure performance. The goal is to shorten the distance between a vendor's prototype and a deployment-ready solution by giving both sides a shared, neutral space to stress new ideas.
Why a Physical Lab Still Matters
Even as supply chain technology increasingly shifts to software, executives in the industry continue to argue that physical demonstration spaces add value that simulations cannot fully replicate. Kenco has framed the project as a complement to its existing consulting and integration services, and as a way to support practical evaluation of supply chain OEM innovations before customers commit capital.
- 30,000 square feet of dedicated testing and demonstration space
- Designed for collaborative trials with equipment manufacturers
- Aimed at bridging prototype development and live deployment
Broader Industry Context
The investment lands at a moment when logistics providers are racing to differentiate themselves on technology, not just on trucks and warehouse space. Recent moves across the sector have included acquisitions aimed at expanding geographic reach, as seen in coverage of Lean Solutions' acquisition of Rapido to expand Mexico operations, and ongoing attention to how carriers are being paid, highlighted by reporting that Hub Group faces scrutiny over carrier payment timelines. At the same time, manufacturing and automotive sectors are fueling growth in India's logistics market, adding further pressure on providers to demonstrate measurable operational gains from new technology investments.