28-01-2026
On January 20, DEMI faculty members and UNIDEMI researchers carried out a technical visit to MC Sonae’s Logistics Distribution Center, located in Azambuja. This initiative is part of the project to create the SCM Lab – Supply Chain Management Living Lab, funded by the EQUIPAR+2 program.
The SCM Lab is being developed by a multidisciplinary team from DEMI and UNIDEMI, composed of Professors Pedro Espadinha da Cruz, Inês Ferreira, Radu Godina, and Izunildo Cabral, bringing together expertise in the areas of logistics, supply chain management, information systems, decision support, lean management, and production systems.
The visit to the distribution center included the participation of Professors Pedro Espadinha da Cruz, Radu Godina, Izunildo Cabral, and Ana Gabriel. The MC Sonae team was represented by Frederico Teixeira (Business Analyst, Azambuja Directorate) and Inês Mendes (Pivot). Its main objectives were to gain in-depth knowledge of MC Sonae’s logistics operations, discuss real challenges in logistics activities, and identify potential forms of collaboration between NOVA FCT and MC Sonae.
During the visit, the vision and concept of the SCM Lab were presented—a pilot laboratory dedicated to applied teaching, research, and decision support in the fields of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. This laboratory aims to integrate physical processes, information systems, and data analysis, promoting a practical and problem-oriented approach focused on real-world challenges. Possible use cases, opportunities for student involvement, technical visits, and mechanisms for collaboration with industry were also discussed.
This initiative represents an important step in strengthening the connection between DEMI, UNIDEMI, and the business sector, contributing to education more closely aligned with industrial reality and to the development of collaborative projects in the areas of logistics and supply chain management.
