DB Schenker introduces what3words

Markus Sontheimer, Chief Information & Chief Digitization Officer (CIO/CDO) at DB Schenker: "Our cooperation with what3words is a further component of our "connect" digital strategy, with which we are developing innovative, digital logistics for our customers. In particular at trade fairs and exhibitions, but also in remote locations around the world, what3words will enable us to supply our customers more precisely and therefore even faster and better in future."

Clare Jones, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of what3words, adds: "A recent study showed that 73% of all deliveries in Germany have problems finding the correct private or business address. In over a quarter of all cases, drivers have to rely on additional information to find the exact delivery location. what3words solves the problem for both sides and creates more efficiency and therefore greater customer satisfaction."

The British company what3words, founded in 2013, has divided the world into a grid of 57 billion three-by-three-meter squares. For each of these squares, unique three-word addresses are assigned to geographical coordinates and vice versa. For example, the exact address of the Schenker headquarters in Essen is ///smiling.always.seating. Deutsche Bahn has been involved in what3words via DB Digital Ventures GmbH since 2016. The first concrete practical application is now taking place with DB Schenker.

Thanks to the integration of what3words, significantly more than 100,000 DB Schenker customers can now book their pick-up and delivery locations online via the eSchenker online portal using the three-word address.

Inaccurate address details are a challenge for logistics companies worldwide. This is particularly true for extensive facilities such as industrial complexes, warehouses or event venues, which often have multiple entrances. This often makes it difficult to quickly find and navigate to a specific delivery location or supplier entrance. The integration of what3words into the "eSchenker" online portal solves this problem for DB Schenker customers. In future, they will be able to determine and specify the pick-up and destination location for their shipments much more precisely.