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Today’s number is $40 million. That is the amount of money Dronamics raised in its pre-series A funding.

Hello and welcome back to news, trends & insights in the industry.

In today’s edition:

• 3 Start-ups (Dronamics, Fez Delivery, OPLOG )

• 2 Old guards ( DHL and Pepsico)

• 1 tech on-demand logistics (Lalatech)

• 1 Origin story (Freight train)

Let’s dive in.

In the Box

Dronamics raised $40m pre-series A

In case you missed it, Dronamics - a cargo delivery drone company, closed $40 million in funding from VC and Angels in February 2023.

The investors include:

• Founders Factory

• Speedinvest

• Eleven Capital

Another notable investor is the Strategic Development Fund (SDF), the investment arm of the Tawazun Council, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Dronamics’ competitors in the cargo drone delivery space include:

• ElroyAir ( California-based that has raised $56m)

• Beta ( Vermont-based, $886 million raised)

• Nitalus (California, funding is undisclosed)

Most of these start-ups are hybrid electric VTOL ( vertical takeoff and landing), giving Dronamics a competitive edge.

Fez Delivery raises $1m seed funding

The Nigeria-based logistic and delivery company began as a janitorial service firm before pivoting.

The latest seed funding will help the company accelerate its development and growing team.

The funding was led by Venture Platform with the participation of the following investors;

• Acacia Ventures (formerly Cairo Angels

• Voltron Capital

• Other Angel Investors

OPLOG on the frontline for quake support services

The Turkey-based company that offers robotic-powered fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses has been on the frontline to offer sourcing and logistics support after the recent earthquakes.

In the past month, its team of volunteers has been responsible for managing 10 warehouses in the Kahramanmaraş region of the country including Pazarcık and Elbistan – both devastated by the quake.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for our country,” - CEO Halit Develioglu.

With OPLOG’s logistics and fulfillment expertise, the company is making efforts to manage the fulfillment and distribution of humanitarian aid.

Technology

Lalatech fills for Hong-Kong IPOs

Lalatech Holding, the company behind the on-demand logistics service known as Lalamove has filed to list for the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The company did not specify how much it intends to raise for its initial public offering (IPO).

The listing plan comes as Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, the operator of the city’s bourse, unveiled this month an easier set of listing rules to encourage more tech unicorns to list in the city.

Tech: The logistics and delivery company utilizes technology-enabled functions to assess and detect the activities of drivers to identify the most efficient routes to facilitate the quickest TAT on deliveries.

Old Guards

DHL

The international courier DHL has upgraded its freighter it flies between Melbourne and Auckland, doubling its capacity to 24 unit load devices in the main deck, with five overnight services a week.

DHL Express managing director for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Mark Foy said the upgrades, which have been running for about a month now, were demand-driven and had taken advantage of the rebound in commercial aviation space available.

Pepsico

PepsiCo is partnering with startup KoiReader Technologies to improve operational efficiency and accuracy in its distribution centers using AI

KoiReader, a technology company, has developed a system that can identify and track barcodes and labels of any size or angle in fast-moving environments, like a conveyor belt.

The system can also track regular or irregularly shaped products, with or without labels, and counts how long it takes employees to pack boxes and retrieve items.

PepsiCo is using the technology to assist warehouse workers as they scan pallets of soda and snacks, and will eventually be expanded to validate customer deliveries. The system aims to reduce costs and increase accuracy and is part of the wider industry push toward warehouse automation.

Logistics Origins

History of rail freight transport

The history of freight trains dates back to the early 19th century when the world's first steam locomotive, the Trevithick, was introduced in 1804. This revolutionary invention paved the way for the development of freight trains, as steam locomotives could haul large quantities of goods over long distances.

The first freight train was operated by the Middleton Railway in Leeds, England in 1758. The train was powered by horses, and it transported coal from a mine to a nearby town. However, it was not until the advent of the steam engine that freight trains became a practical means of transport.

In the United States, the first freight train was operated in 1829 by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. It transported coal from the mines in Pennsylvania to New York City. The rail system expanded rapidly, and by the end of the 19th century, the United States had one of the most extensive railway networks in the world.

Today freight trains are becoming more technologically advanced, with the introduction of new locomotives and computerized control systems. These innovations are making freight trains more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, ensuring that they remain an important mode of transport for many years to come.

Thank you for reading.

My goal is to break down complex technologies in the logistics and supply chain industry. Hope it is worthwhile.

Over and out,

Okerosi