40 Years of Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V.
The Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V. (BVL) was foundend in 1978 in Bremen, Germany. Quickly, it grew into one of the most extensive national and international logistics networks. See here the highlights of the BVL's history.
1977
1978
Foundation of BVL
The Bundesvereinigung Logistik is founded on April 18th. The "Circle of Nine" - the founding fathers - constitute the charter at the Deutsche Außenhandels- und Verkehrsschule (DAV) in Bremen, Germany.
1979
1980
First issue of the BVL publication series is published
The publication series of BVL starts with its first issue called „Logistik in der Körperpflegemittel-Industrie“ ("Logistics in the industry of body care products"). The publication series has been continued until today.
Classic logistics
In the 70s, logistics are about optimizing isolated functions. "Purchase", "production", "sales" and "transport, handling, storage" were regarded seperate.
1981
1982
The advisory board and the first office
The newly appointed advisory board holds its constitutive meeting und elects Dr. Helmut Schäfer as chairman of the board. In the same year, BVL runs a split office in Cologne and Bremen.
1983
Founding of the first regional chapters
The first BVL regional chapters are founded in Munich and the Rhine/Neckar region. The concept of "logistics hands on" for regional chapter events is developed.
1984
1985
1986
The first International Supply Chain Conference
The first International Supply Chain Conference marks the start of the traditional logistics community's meeting in Berlin featuring topnotch experts and renowned guest speakers from the fields of economy, politics and science.
1987
DAV's Compact Logistics Study
The "Kompakt Studium Logistik" - the compact logistics study - is conducted for the first time. It is organized by the "Deutsche Außenhandels- und Verkehrsschule" (DAV), based in Bremen, Germany in cooperation with BVL. Head of the project is Manfred Schaar.
1990
First regional chapters in the new eastern states of Germany
The first five regional chapters in the new eastern states of Germany are founded. The are based in the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen.
Logistics as cross-departmental function
During the 80s, logisitics deal with optimizing cross-functional processes and include the final customer.
1992
First Science Award for Supply Chain Management
The first Science Award for Supply Chain Management is awarded to Dr. Stephan Freichel in the course of the 9th International Supply Chain Conference.
1993
First "Trends and Strategies" study
The first "Trends and Strategies" study is published. The "Trends and Strategies" series is continued to this day.
1994
1995
1996
Foundation of the Deutsche Logistik-Akademie (DLA)
The Deutsche Logistik Akademie (DLA) is founded. It is the predecessor of today's "BVL Seminare".
1997
1998
The BVL-Website www.bvl.de goes live
BVL has now 2,570 members. To create an online presence, the website www.bvl.de is created and goes live. BVL awards advancement awards to outstanding theses for the first time.
1999
Change of leadership at the BVL board
Dr. Peer Witten follows Dr. Hanspeter Stabenau as chairman of the BVL board.
2000
2001
2002
2003
Fusion of BVL with DGfL
BVL and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Logistik (DGfL) seal their fusion under the name Bundesvereinigung Logistik. With the First Logistics Forum Duisburg, BVL establishes its second grand annual event.
Functional and cross-company integration
The 90s are dominated by two phases, both fuelled by cost- and quality pressure. During the phase of functional integration, logistics incorporate functions to process chains. During the phase of cross-company integration, companies are incorporated into the value-added chain.
2004
Appointment of BVL's scientific advisory board, first doctorate workshop
During the science symposium, BVL's first docorate workshop is held at the TU Berlin. The BVL board decided to implement the scientific advisory board in 2003, which held its constitutive meeting in January 2004.
2005
2006
German position paper "Creating Growth, shaping the future"
The position paper "Creating Growth, shaping the future" is presented to the German government. The new successful BVL communication series "LOG.Punkt" is awarded the „Best of Corporate Publishing“ price in silver. The first international BVL forum is held in Bratislava.
2007
Prof. Raimund Klinkner is elected chairman of the BVL board
Prof. Raimund Klinkner follows Prof. Peer Witten as chairman of the BVL board. Klinkner initiates numerous new projects, the BVL's internationalization among them.
2008
BVL's 30th birthday and the first Supply Chain Day
On April 18th, BVL celebrates its 30th birthday in Dusseldorf. Two days prior, the "Supply Chain Day" is held in Germany and Austria for the first time. BVL Campus is opened in Bremen.
2009
First BVL student chapter
BVL chapter chairman Holger Seidel (right) initiates the first student chapter together with students from Magdeburg. All in all, nine student chapters are founded this year. BVL starts its activities on Social Media.
2010
2011
BVL-Network Consumer Logistics
BVL founds the network Consumer Logistics and with that lays the foundation of the BVL Focus Groups. The aim of the latter is to advance contacts between industrial companies and act as a platform to promote technical and practical applications.
Worldwide integration of supply chains
During the 2000s, logistics assume a global perspective. They are now about integrating supply chains into global networks.
2012
First Supply Chain Sustainability Award
BVL and BVL Austria award the first Supply Chain Sustainability Award. With it, lighthouse projects are highlighted to the global supply chain community and offers suggestions to economic and scientific sustainability-projects.
2013
First Forum Chemical Logistics and Forum Automotive Logistics
The first Forum Chemical Logistics is held at BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BVL and VDA merge the Industrial Forum Automotive Logistics and the VDA Logistics Congress into the joint Forum Automotive Logistics.
2014
2015
2016
2017
Position Paper "Logistics connects sustainibly" - first issue of the BVL Magazine
BVL publishes a new position paper including guidance tips for the government. The position paper represents the first issue of the new BVL Magazine - a format superseding the professional journal "LOG.Kompass" as publication for BVL-members.
2018
Change in leadership
On January 1st, Robert Blackburn follows Prof. Raimund Klinkner as chairman of the BVL board.
2019
On January 1st, Robert Blackburn follows Prof. Raimund Klinkner as chairman of the BVL board.
2019
Robert Blackburn resigns as chairman of the board.
The board decides to reorganize BVL's presidium. At March 12th, Prof. Thomas Wimmer is elected new chairman of the Board.
BVL develops digital events to counter the effects of COVID-19.
Socio-economic factors
Since the 2010s, logistics are focussing on socio-economic factors in global networks. Cost pressure has constantly been on the rise since the 1980s and society is changing. New digital technologies create new possibilities and new business models.