Supply Chain Innovation Lab – Maryland Innovation Lab

Infrastructure + Innovation.

Pioneering the Future of Maryland’s Supply Chain & Logistics Ecosystem

As East Coast ports prepare for a transformative decade, Maryland is set to lead the way. With nearly $2 billion in public and private investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure underway, Maryland is set for sustained growth as one of North America’s leading industrial and trade hubs. The Maryland Innovation Lab will help ensure Maryland’s standing as a logistics powerhouse, driving the future of logistics and supply chain innovation. Our lab connects Maryland companies with global startups to revolutionize logistics, enhance supply chain resilience, and lead with cutting-edge solutions.

Maryland is a hub for global trade and logistics.

Logistics is a key strategic industry in Maryland, and recent global events have highlighted its critical yet vulnerable nature. The global pandemic, the rise in e-commerce, increasing fuel prices and cyber attacks, workforce shortages, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy have all contributed to a transformative decade for Maryland’s sector. In response, digital services and innovative solutions are more essential than ever to address the pressures faced by the logistics industry.

Innovation is essential in this transformative era, harnessing Maryland’s strategic advantages to shape the future of logistics.

Who Should Join?

The Maryland Innovation Lab invites companies across the supply chain spectrum to transform logistics, enhance supply chain resilience, and spearhead innovation.

Transportation & Logistics Providers
Manufacturers & Retailers
Intermodal Partnerships
Maritime & Shipping Companies
Distribution Centers & Warehousing
Other Supply Chain Stakeholders

L Marks Supply Chain & Logistics Case Studies

W2 Supply Chain Innovation Lab

Wincanton, the UK’s largest logistics firm, launched W² Labs with L Marks in 2017. By 2024, five successful cohorts have helped Wincanton stay at the forefront of supply chain innovation. Hundreds of startups have been evaluated and several solutions fully implemented, transforming future supply chains to best support British business.

“If IT is our super-tanker, then we also need the speedboats – in the form of L Marks and so on – to help us with the innovation at that level.”
– Richard Gifford, Chief Information Officer, Wincanton

Fast tracking innovation in the UK’s rail industry. Led by L Marks, Future Labs is a joint initiative from London North Eastern Railway, Transpennine Express, Northern Trains, and Southeastern, drives innovation in UK rail. This first-of-its-kind program just completed Pitch Day with startup offering solutions to transform rail transport operations and the wider industry.

Hersh Sahai - Cofounder at LexX Technologies

“LexX Technologies thrived in L Marks’ corporate innovation lab for EDP, where we were given the unique opportunity to apply our aerospace expertise to renewable energy. Following this, we joined PortXL at the Port of Rotterdam, securing a partnership with Van Oord.

I’m excited about L Marks’ new supply chain and logistics innovation lab in Maryland. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse highlighted the Port of Baltimore’s potential for innovation and infrastructure modernisation. This lab can drive the sector’s rebound. Infrastructure, industrial assets, and innovation are inextricably linked.

The Port of Baltimore’s partnership with Rotterdam positions us to bring significant innovation to this critical sector. In our experience, L Marks is the ideal partner to bring these ingredients together.”

DPD Eco
DPD is part of Geopost, one of the world leading parcel delivery networks operating in more than 50 countries. DPD partnered with L Marks to create the DPD Eco-Launchpad. This initiative pairs DPD with innovative startups to achieve its vision of becoming the UK’s leader in sustainable delivery.

“We are delighted to be partnering with L Marks to launch this EcoLab. The project will play a key part in shaping our sustainability strategy and helping achieve our stated aim of being the most sustainable parcel delivery company in the UK. Investing in and developing new sustainable technologies and innovations is crucial in the next few years to ensure we can reach net zero, and partnering with experts in this way can accelerate that progress.” – Tim Jones, Director of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, DPD group UK

Potential Lab Themes

Corporate partners decide upon challenge themes. In other global supply chain labs, L Marks has explored themes such as:

Big Data & Advanced Analytics
AI
Automation & Robotics
IoT
Sustainability & Clean Energy
3D printing
Cybersecurity
Supply Chain & Logistics Workforce