Warehousing Evolution: Strategic Focus at ISLI Forum 2026
The 34th ISLI Forum at KEDGE Business School positions warehousing as the critical nexus in modern supply chain strategy. Scheduled for May 22, 2026 on KEDGE’s Bordeaux campus, this annual gathering brings together industry leaders, academic experts, and students to address the operational, technological, and sustainability challenges reshaping logistics infrastructure globally.
From Storage Facilities to Strategic Innovation Hubs
Contemporary warehouses have transcended their traditional role as passive storage units. Three key drivers are accelerating this transformation:
- Omnichannel Demands: Retailers require flexible fulfillment systems capable of servicing e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, and hybrid models simultaneously
- Decarbonization Pressures: 42% of supply chain leaders cite sustainability as their top warehouse redesign priority (Gartner 2025)
- Labor Optimization: Automated storage/retrieval systems (AS/RS) now handle 68% of routine operations in modern facilities
These converging factors make warehouse design and management a decisive competitive advantage in supply chain operations.
Forum Agenda: Operationalizing Innovation
The 2026 program structure enables deep dives into implementation challenges:
Roundtable 1: Change Management in Warehouse Operations
Examining workforce reskilling pathways as automation adoption accelerates across European logistics hubs
Roundtable 2: Data-Driven Performance Optimization
Implementing IoT sensor networks and predictive analytics for real-time inventory management
Roundtable 3: Robotics Integration Frameworks
Balancing capital investment in AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) against throughput efficiency gains
Academic-Industry Synergy in Action
KEDGE’s ISLI Global Supply Chain Management MSc program exemplifies the forum’s practical orientation. Students engage directly with participating organizations through:
- Live case studies from FM Logistic’s warehouse modernization initiatives
- France Supply Chain-led workshops on network redesign strategies
- Executive mentoring sessions with panel speakers
This integration ensures classroom concepts address current industry pain points. Graduates consistently report 94% employment rates within six months of completing the program.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Sector Advancement
France Supply Chain’s involvement underscores the forum’s role in shaping national logistics policy, particularly regarding:
- EU Green Deal compliance timelines for warehouse energy efficiency
- Standardization of warehouse digital twin implementations
- Cross-border workforce certification programs
FM Logistic contributes technical expertise from their ongoing automation projects, including autonomous mobile robot (AMR) deployments achieving 30% faster order processing.
Preparing for Logistics Leadership
The ISLI Forum creates tangible pathways for professional development:
- Students: Direct access to 70+ recruiting companies across manufacturing, retail, and 3PL sectors
- Mid-Career Professionals: Workshops on warehouse management system (WMS) migration strategies
- Executives: Peer benchmarking on warehouse automation ROI frameworks
Registration for the 2026 edition opens September 1, 2025, with early-bird pricing available through December 15, 2025.
Next Steps in Supply Chain Education
KEDGE’s ISLI MSc program continues to set industry standards for logistics education. The 18-month curriculum combines:
- Six-month corporate apprenticeship with forum partner organizations
- Specialized tracks in warehouse robotics or sustainable logistics
- Global study modules at partner universities in Singapore and Chicago
Applications for the 2026 academic year are now being reviewed. Submit your candidacy before the March 15 priority deadline.
