Supply chain and logistics innovation among mining industry companies has dropped off in the last year

The most recent figures show that the number of supply chain and logistics patent applications in the industry stood at seven in the three months ending October, down from 11 over the same period last year.

Figures for patent grants related to supply chain and logistics followed a different pattern to filings, remaining at 11 between the three months ending October last year and this year.

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, who track patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.

Supply chain and logistics is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector. Mitsubishi was the top supply chain and logistics innovator in the mining industry operations and technologies sector in the last quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in Japan, filed eight supply chain and logistics related patents in the three months ending October. That was up from zero over the same period last year.

It was followed by two US-based firms, Caterpillar, with four supply chain and logistics patent applications, and Honeywell International, with three applications.