Ashdod Port Partners with Spyre to Transform Port Management Innovation
Ashdod Port, Israel's largest cargo port, has been a significant player in maritime trade since 1965, leading the way in cargo container volume among Israeli ports. Facing the challenge of integrating innovative technologies and fostering a culture of innovation among a large workforce, Ashdod Port turned to Spyre for strategic guidance.
Client: Ashdod Port
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Industry: Maritime
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Project Goal: Establish connections with startups and create impactful partnerships
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Spyre Services: Scouting for new technologies, Innovation Technology Deployment Program
Objectives
Challenges: Ashdod Port faced critical challenges in developing an organizational culture that embraced innovation, engaging employees in adopting new technologies, and establishing sustainable partnerships with startups for technological advancements.
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Impact on Business: These challenges hindered operational efficiency and the port's ability to stay competitive in the fast-evolving global trade industry, necessitating a structured approach to innovation.
Approach
Spyre’s Solution: Spyre introduced a comprehensive innovation strategy that included an in-depth organizational audit to map existing innovation capabilities and identify growth areas.
Methodology Features: Spyre implemented a dual approach focusing on training internal innovation leaders and directly collaborating with startups to integrate new technologies.
Custom Insights: Tailored research and strategies were developed to address the unique challenges of port operations, emphasizing practical and scalable innovation.
Practical Steps: A structured training program was rolled out for selected employees, termed innovation agents, who were equipped with tools and methodologies to champion innovation initiatives.
Metrics for Improvement: Spyre developed specific metrics to track the progress of innovation initiatives, focusing on operational efficiency and technology integration.
Implementation Overview: The methodology included guiding more than 90 startups through the evaluation process, with over 50 conducting pilots and the internal innovation leaders playing a critical role in these initiatives.
Outcomes
Direct Investments: Two startups received direct investments from Ashdod Port, signifying a deep commitment to nurturing promising innovations.
Pilot Programs: Over 50 startups successfully conducted pilot programs under the leadership of innovation agents, demonstrating effective on-the-ground application of new technologies.
Startup Vetting: More than 90 startups were vetted for potential pilot programs, showcasing Ashdod Port's proactive approach in sourcing innovative solutions.
Community of Innovators: An internal community of over 100 innovation leaders was established, fostering a collaborative environment for ongoing innovation and exchange of ideas across the port's operations.
Roy Avrahami, Chief Innovation Officer at Ashdod Port: "Innovation isn’t just about adopting new technologies; it’s about transforming mindsets and operational paradigms. Our collaboration with Spyre has been instrumental in embedding a culture of continuous innovation at Ashdod Port, paving the way for sustained growth and efficiency. The importance of working with innovation agents who were trained by Spyre and given tools to validate faster the use cases for the technologies cannot be overstated."