MIT Global SCALE Network: Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC)

The Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC) is a research institute established by the Government of Aragon in Spain in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Zaragoza. Founded in 2003, the ZLC campus is located in the heart of PLAZA, the largest logistics park in the southwest of Europe that serves as a working laboratory to transfer new knowledge and working practices. ZLC mission is to create an international center of excellence for research and education in logistics and SCM that actively engages with industry and the public sector to develop and disseminate knowledge.

To accomplish its mission ZLC partnered with the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics to form the MIT-Zaragoza International Logistics Program, a unique model of collaboration between industry, government and academia. This successful partnership led to the creation of the MIT Global SCALE Network that now spans four continents. In addition, Zaragoza Logistics Center participates in several national and international research and educational initiatives.

In 2008 the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science officially recognized ZLC as a Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) after ZLC was previously designated the National Center of Excellence for research in the area of logistics and supply chain management, CNC LOGISTICA, in 2006. This latest recognition puts ZLC in a leading role to define and coordinate research, development and innovation initiatives across Spain in logistics and supply chain management.

ZLC has deployed a system on Technology Watch and Competitive Intelligence certified by AENOR (Spanish Standarization body) according to the UNE 166.006:2011. This system allows ZLC to observe new trends in logistics and supply chain management, as well as knowledge transfer for stakeholders.

ZLC has the continued support of local saving banks Ibercaja and CAI and the European Social Fund in its activities.