MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
The Advanced Energy Council provides education and training on advanced energy technologies and accessories.
There is no doubt that the energy industry has undergone significant changes, and the energy needs of modern warehouses have evolved accordingly. It’s no giant leap, then, to see the need for the Advanced Energy Council (AEC), MHI’s two‑year-old industry group.
The AEC was established in 2023 to represent companies that produce, implement and support advanced energy technologies. One key facet of that representation is helping to educate and market the use of all the new technology surrounding the “modern electrification of material handling equipment,” Robin Schneider, director of marketing at Green Cubes Technology and chair of the AEC, said.
A copy of a cold storage application photo that shows lithium in use. Cold storage organizations are among the most critical applications where energy can significantly impact productivity and the bottom line. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
Much of the early work has focused on lithium‑ion batteries, a rapidly growing innovation that is used in everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. Lead acid batteries were already well represented by industry trade groups, but lithium‑ion had no home before the AEC, Schneider said. Emerging technologies like fuel cells and high‑efficiency chargers also were underrepresented.
It is clear that the industry was ready for the AEC. “We have been one of the fastest growing groups within MHI, if not the fastest,” Schneider said. That comes through member participation and is reflected in its Net Promoter Score. “When we started, we got in the good category and have consistently progressed in the reviews of our members to be in the excellent category. We’ve shown that we can provide value for our member companies.”
While serving members is critical, the AEC’s primary goal is to share the “value of electrification,” Schneider said, and to provide a place for unbiased answers.
A Growing Industry
In a few short years, Schneider has seen the knowledge of advanced electrification expand quickly. When she began working with Green Cubes Technology about five years ago, marketing messages focused on the benefits of lithium‑ion, use cases and dispelling myths about safety. At a recent conference, she spoke with attendees and noted that they’d all switched to that type of battery. “In just five years, we’ve gone from people not understanding the technology to a complete turnabout with questions about value proposition and vetting suppliers and fire code requirements,” she said.
That increasing sophistication has created a natural void for AEC to fill, said Damon Hosmer, business unit leader and general manager, Energy Storage Solutions, Toyota Material Handling North America, and AEC vice chair.
“As the forklift industry evolves alongside broader shifts in energy, sustainability and automation, the future of material handling is being redefined. Industry practitioners and OEMs continue to explore cutting‑edge power technologies, changing regulatory landscapes and the strategic decisions facing fleet operators. From hydrogen and lithium to energy‑as‑a‑service models, the AEC strives to guide how to navigate the next decade of innovation to stay ahead of customer expectations, compliance requirements and cost pressures.”