DC Velocity - August 2018

newsworthy

Supply chain technology firm JDA Software Group Inc. has acquired the German artificial intelligence (AI) provider Blue Yonder GmbH, in a move JDA said would allow its Luminate platform of software products to generate more automated decisions and forecasts.

At the time of the announcement, JDA did not disclose the terms of the agreement because the acquisition had not yet closed.

Following the completion of the deal, Blue Yonder will continue to operate under its current name. Company CEO Uwe Weiss will join JDA’s operating committee, while Blue Yonder founder Michael Feindt will provide ongoing thought and innovation leadership to both companies, the firms said.

Applying data science techniques to the
retail supply chain could produce improve-
ments in areas from retail and supply chain
planning to execution, labor management,
and omnichannel delivery, JDA said. In particular, Blue
Yonder’s AI capabilities will offer immediate opportunities
for JDA’s retail customers to dynamically improve their
pricing, promotions, markdowns, and replenishment capa-
bilities, JDA said. Blue Yonder’s forecasting capabilities can
also create benefits with fast and short lifecycle products,
leading to less waste, optimized labor, and improved sus-
tainability in the fresh food chain, according
to JDA.

More broadly, Blue Yonder’s cloud-based machine learning algorithms will help JDA Scottsdale, Ariz.-based JDA launched its Luminate platform in May.

JDA acquires artificial
intelligence firm Blue Yonder

Transportation and logistics service provider Pilot Freight Services has promoted

Brian Flower and Christine Morgan to
regional vice presidents as part of the
company’s continued growth and expan-
sion in the e-commerce and international
business markets. … AIM North America has appointed
four industry executives to its seven-member board of
directors. Joining the board are Jeanne Duckett,
manager of technology development and printer
research for Avery Dennison; Dan Kimball, president of
Danzz Consulting; Patrick King, Ph.D., founder of Troi
Technologies; and Debangana Mukherjee, director of
business development and sales for CISC Semiconductor.
… CIMC Intermodal Equipment has hired Doug Dorn
as director, business development. Dorn will focus on
supporting and developing CIMC IE’s expanding North
American intermodal chassis business. … Kelly J. Tebon
has been named to lead the expansion of conveyor man-
ufacturer Dorner’s aftermarket sales program. In other
Dorner news, Scott Kelley has been appointed vice
president of U.S. sales operations. … Kevin
Proulx recently joined logistics solutions
provider Pace as chief operating officer.

… Vargo, a provider of material handling systems integration, warehouse execution software, and equipment solutions, has announced two new hires. They are Brian Pulfer, the company’s new solutions development and data analytics manager, and Nick Choi, the organization’s new director of systems implementation. … Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.’s board of directors has named Apipong “Oh” Nakayuenyongsuk vice president of the Material Handling and Industrial Wheels Division as well as vice president of corporate marketing. In addition to his duties at Superior Tire, he currently serves as chairman of the Industrial Truck Association’s (ITA)

Tires, Wheels and Casters subcommittee. … Kardex Remstar LLC, a supplier of automated storage and retrieval systems, has promoted Mark Dunaway to president for the North American region.