Jul 30, 2021|
Behind the Scenes of JD’s Drone Rescue Efforts in Henan
by Yuchuan Wang
Since Jul. 22, JD’s self-developed logistics drone has been delivering emergency supplies in Xinxiang, a flood-stricken city in Henan province.
Chaokang Liu, a drone engineer from JD’s logistics innovation lab, JD-X, received the company’s call for an urgent trip to Henan.
Liu did not hesitate to make the decision to go, as his parents were survivors of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake which killed at least 242,000 people, and he wanted to give back to others.
Liu immediately packed his luggage and a last-mile delivery drone, which can lift 25 kilograms of goods, for the trip to Henan. He rode in a JD Logistics truck and traveled 10 hours from Xi’an, Shaanxi province, where his team is based.
As soon as he arrived, Liu received the request that 30 workers in Xinxiang were stranded in a factory park and were short of food. But successfully delivering the food to those workers would prove difficult.
After three hours of searching, Liu finally found a place from which the drone could take off. However, he had never used this drone at night time, as it is a newly developed model. Moreover, communications in Xinxiang were greatly affected by the flood, and he was afraid that the drone could not manage location tracking accurately. The food might not arrive at the rooftop and fall into the flood.
He decided to give a try anyway. “If you can save 30 people, it’s worth it, even if the drone crashes,” said Liu.
The drone took off—and soon after successfully landed on top of a truck in the factory, where the group of trapped workers were able to access the food supplies.
With Liu and JD’s drone, the group of workers finally got their meal for the day. Soon after that, they were rescued and transported to safety.
Liu said, “It’s my duty to rescue more people, and I’ll keep going on this journey with my drone.”
Apr 18, 2024|
JD.com Awarded 2024 INFORMS Prize for Excellence in Operations Research and Analytics
JD.com is honored to announce that it has been awarded the 2024 INFORMS Prize. This recognition makes JD.com the first Asia-based enterprise to receive the award, highlighting its pioneering use of advanced analytics and operations research/management sciences (OR/MS) within its business operations.
The INFORMS Prize is awarded an organization that has repeatedly applied the principles of advanced analytics and OR/MS in pioneering, varied, novel, and lasting ways. Previous recipients include Walmart, Wayfair, Amazon, UPS, Booz Allen Hamilton, BNSF Railway, Walt Disney Company, U.S. Air Force, General Motors, Intel, HP, IBM, Ford, Procter & Gamble and GE Research.
Speaking on behalf of the selection committee, Mehmet Gumus, 2024 INFORMS Prize committee chair, remarked: “JD.com is showcasing data science as a source of business success and a necessary element to achieve customer satisfaction with continuous and dedicated practice. JD.com is truly deserving of this prestigious prize, and the entire O.R. and analytics community joins INFORMS in thanking them for their priceless contributions to the field and the business world.”
JD.com’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and customer service through OR/MS has been integral to its success. The company has developed an independently managed intelligent supply chain system that utilizes cutting-edge operations research algorithms to optimize warehouse management and logistics operations. This includes the operation of hundreds of intelligent warehouses and dozens of “Asia No. 1” intelligent logistics parks.
“We are honored to accept the INFORMS Prize and will continue to be steadfast in our dedication to leveraging the transformative potential of operations research,” said Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com. “Our company’s supply chain not only aims to lead the industry, but also enhance the efficiency and well-being of our entire ecosystem.”
By the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, JD’s supply chain infrastructure assets had grown to RMB 153.8 billion, an increase of 16% year-on-year. Managing over 10 million self-operated SKUs, JD has achieved a global leading average inventory turnover of 30.3 days. This operational prowess enables JD to fulfill 95% of retail orders within 24 hours, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and setting new standards in the industry.
Mar 22, 2024|
Sportano and JD Logistics Collaboration Boosts Operational Efficiency by 200%
Sportano, the fast-growing Poland-based multi-brand sports retailer, and JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics), a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, announced a significant 200% increase in Sportano’s warehouse operational efficiency since their collaboration began in 2023.
Sportano stands out as a comprehensive destination for sports enthusiasts, offering an extensive range of sporting equipment, apparel, and accessories from leading brands. As a digital-first retailer, Sportano has expanded its reach across Europe with its robust online platform, complemented by its inaugural brick-and-mortal location in Warsaw, Poland, launched in 2022. The retailer’s rapid growth underscored its need for omnichannel logistics support so it could continue providing exceptional customer service to sports enthusiasts across Europe.
The collaboration between Sportano and JD Logistics has effectively addressed Sportano’s logistical challenges, including managing a vast and varied inventory of over 100,000 product types, ranging from small items like fishhooks to larger items such as skis and tents. The seasonal nature of sporting goods and the need for omnichannel fulfillment further complicated the logistics process.
JD Logistics introduced a suite of advanced technological solutions, including the deployment of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) equipped with flexible and interchangeable storage receptacles. This innovative approach, coupled with an independently developed intelligent Warehousing Control System (WCS), has enabled efficient management of Sportano’s inventory, accommodating seasonal fluctuations and streamlining both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business orders.
The partnership between JD Logistics and Sportano has not only boosted Sportano’s operational efficiency by 200% but also set new standards for logistics excellence in the sports retail sector. The integration of cutting-edge technology and intelligent systems has transformed Sportano’s warehouse operations, ensuring more vigorous, flexible, and efficient order fulfillment.
Mengyao Chen, director of international business development at JD Logistics’ innovation lab JDL-X, said, “We are proud to partner with Sportano and apply our logistics expertise to tackle the unique challenges of the sports retail industry. This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation and our ability to enhance operational efficiency for our clients.”
Tomasz Kupidura, Chief Logistics Officer at Sportano, said, “Working with JD Logistics has revolutionized our logistics operations, enabling us to meet our customers’ needs more effectively and efficiently. This partnership has been instrumental in our growth and success across the European market.”
JD Logistics’ technology products and solutions have garnered significant acclaim among external clients across diverse industries, including electronics, industrials, apparel, medicine, and automobiles, with logistics technology projects launched in over ten countries and regions globally, spanning Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. By bringing its expertise to international markets, JD Logistics aims to redefine global logistics standards, advancing intelligent supply chain capabilities and driving innovation in the industry.
JD News Roundup Vol. 14: Henan Flood Relief, benefit Launch and More
