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CEO Update Supply chain technology investment is growing, and it is empowering supply chain workers as they collaborate with these new technologies to create more resilient, transparent and data-driven operations. Fifty-five percent of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments according to the survey results from the 2024 MHI Annual Industry Report, “The Collaborative Supply ...

Executive Viewpoint BY KAREN NORHEIM, CEO, AMERICAN CRANE & EQUIPMENT CORPORATION It can be so tempting to chase after shiny objects. But at American Crane & Equipment Corporation, we know that before we can run, we have to walk. And before we can walk, we need to crawl. Back in 2019, we made the first movement toward integrating the technology ...

Economic Market Analysis BY JASON SCHENKER, PRESIDENT OF PRESTIGE ECONOMICS®, CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURIST INSTITUTE® Global manufacturing and growth were under significant pressure in 2023 and early 2024. But the prospects for the second half of 2024 are more favorable. Despite elevated interest rates, U.S. and Chinese manufacturing PMIs picked up in late Q1 2024, hinting at more upside ahead ...

Safer Handling BY TOM GRESHAM When energy is involved, safety is always a major point of emphasis, particularly in the material handling field. Founded in 2023, the Advanced Energy Council (AEC) is an industry group within MHI that represents companies that produce, implement and support advanced energy technologies and accessories. Safety unsurprisingly is a focus of the new group’s efforts ...

Solutions Spotlight BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT Autonomous mobile robots in distribution facilities are “the future”—and members of MHI’s Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) are working to make their products compatible with this emerging technology. SMA members are the industry’s leading suppliers of industrial storage equipment. They supply storage solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector. Industrial storage equipment ...

Product Spotlight BY SANDY SMITH MHI’s Mobile Automation Group (MAG) fills an important role in connecting suppliers to end users and helping integrators understand that mobile automation is just one part of the overall warehouse process. But none of that matters if safety isn’t at the forefront. “That’s not going to change” as a focus of the group, said Brian ...

Where Are They Now? Catching up with an MHEFI Scholarship Recipient BY SHERYL S. JACKSON BEN BRUNS, SENIOR SUPPLIER, INDUSTRIALIZATION ENGINEER, TESLA As a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Ben Bruns had opportunities to work as a team member in his co-op positions as well as part of the school’s team that was awarded second place in the ...

The people who work at MHI and its WERC division are the gears that keep the association moving. They ensure MHI continues to be a valuable association and resource for people involved in the industry and do so with wit, competence and a smile on their face. The goal of this column in MHI Solutions magazine is to give readers ...

55% say they are increasing their investment in supply chain tech and innovation and 42% are planning to invest over $10 million A new report released by MHI and Deloitte finds that 55% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments, with 88% saying they are planning to spend over $1 million. Forty-two percent plan ...

Legendary material handling and supply chain industry leader John Miller Hill died peacefully on April 15, 2024, surrounded by his family. Hill was a director with MHI member St. Onge Company and begun his work in the industry in the 1960s. During his long career, Hill spoke at numerous industry events, authored countless articles and mentored generations of future industry ...