MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
BY SAM MAZZOLA, LEARNING EXPERIENCE MANAGER, MHI
WHAT WILL IT take to prepare the workforce of the future for an increasingly complex supply chain? With the next generation already in the classroom, ensuring they arrive prepared is a shared priority across academia and industry.
MHI has the solution: the recently updated Fundamentals of Warehousing & Distribution series of textbooks. The four‑volume series was developed by MHI in partnership with the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI).
The textbooks equip high school and college students with a structured, comprehensive curriculum that prepares them for supply chain careers. The series builds knowledge progressively, from foundational material handling concepts to real‑world workplace readiness. This gives students both industry understanding and practical awareness.
CONTINUOUS UPDATES KEEP CONTENT FRESH
Originally developed in the early 2000s, the textbooks have been continuously updated to reflect the latest industry developments. To ensure both the relevance of the content and its real‑world applicability, industry professionals routinely review the books and recommend edits and additions.
“This industry is moving faster than the materials that teach it,” said Naveen Kukkala, director of distribution at Essilor Luxottica, a volunteer reviewer. “Automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have all changed how warehouses run in just the last few years. When practitioners review this content, it keeps the material grounded in how things actually work on the floor today.”
Glen Wegel, Vice President of Operations & Information Technology at Kitchen Cabinet Distributors—and current Vice President of the WERC Advisory Council—also provided input during the most recent Fundamentals review cycle. He believes the most valuable educational resources are the ones that bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“Students entering the workforce need more than academic concepts—they need exposure to how those concepts are applied in real operating environments,” said Wegel. “Having industry practitioners contribute to educational resources helps ensure students are learning from current challenges, technologies and decision‑making frameworks that are actively shaping the profession. It creates a stronger connection between the classroom and the distribution center, allowing future professionals to better understand what success looks like in modern operations.”
The latest edition of the textbooks was further enhanced with a full suite of supplemental materials. Now they include unit and final exams, glossaries in Volumes 1—3, supporting presentations and both facilitator and participant guides.
These additions significantly enhance the content’s delivery. Participant guides give students a structured way to engage with the material, while facilitator guides and presentations provide instructors with ready‑to‑use teaching tools. Previously, educators had to build this scaffolding themselves. Now, it is included with textbook purchase, allowing instructors to focus less on preparation and more on teaching.
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