Kenco Plans 30,000-Square-Foot Innovation Lab in Chattanooga
Logistics provider Kenco is developing a 30,000-square-foot innovation lab in Chattanooga to test new supply chain technologies.
Logistics and supply chain solutions provider Kenco has announced plans to open a 30,000-square-foot innovation lab in Chattanooga, Tennessee, expanding the company's footprint in a city that has become a growing hub for logistics and distribution operations.
A New Hub for Supply Chain Experimentation
The facility is designed to give customers, partners, and Kenco's own teams a working environment to pilot emerging technologies across the supply chain. Open lab layouts, modular equipment zones, and collaboration areas are expected to allow users to evaluate robotics, automation, and data-driven tools in conditions that mirror real warehouse settings.
Chattanooga's location along major interstate corridors and its strong base of distribution and manufacturing employers make it a practical site for hands-on testing. The lab will complement Kenco's broader network of fulfilment and transportation services for shippers across multiple industries.
What the Lab Could Offer
According to the announcement, the innovation lab is intended to bridge the gap between concept and deployment. Rather than simply demonstrating equipment in a showroom, the space will be used to run extended proof-of-concept projects that measure productivity, accuracy, and return on investment.
Key anticipated uses include:
- Testing of warehouse robotics, automated storage systems, and material handling equipment.
- Evaluation of software platforms for inventory visibility, labour management, and order accuracy.
- Joint pilots with technology vendors and customers preparing for facility upgrades.
Broader Context for 3PL Investment
The move reflects a wider trend of third-party logistics providers investing in dedicated spaces to help clients navigate rapid technological change. As e-commerce and supply chain solutions for third-party businesses continue to evolve, providers are under pressure to show measurable gains from automation rather than simply selling hardware. Kenco's lab is positioned to serve as a proving ground where those gains can be quantified before a full rollout.
The company has not yet announced a specific opening date for the Chattanooga facility, but the project signals a long-term commitment to the region and to applied innovation. For shippers weighing capital investments, the lab could become a useful stop on the decision-making journey, sitting alongside broader fourth-party logistics market strategies that are reshaping how supply chains are designed.