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Industry Focus BY TOM GRESHAM THIRD‑PARTY LOGISTICS providers, often known as 3PLs, play a vital role in the global supply chain, bringing much‑needed perspective to their clients. Shippers tend to be locked in on their own corners of the marketplace—and with good reason. 3PLs offer a broader view to consider. “As 3PLs, we often see different industries and how one ...

BY JASON SCHENKER, PRESIDENT OF PRESTIGE ECONOMICS® AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURIST INSTITUTE®   SANSOEN SAENGSAKAORAT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN a growing priority in manufacturing and supply chain circles in recent years. It has been the focus of policy discussions, investor reports, corporate strategy decks and MHI presentations. However, throughout this year, the conversation about sustainability seems to have shifted with ...

MORE RESILIENT SUPPLY CHAINS START HERE. It’s time to gain a new perspective on what’s new and what’s next for your supply chain operations. As the largest manufacturing and supply chain event in 2026, MODEX showcases supply chains from every angle. The unique combination of hands‑on product and technology demonstrations, education and face‑to‑face connections makes MODEX the can’t‑miss experience for ...

BY CHRISTY DULA, CHIEF EXPERIENCE AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, MHI AS SUPPLY CHAINS face ongoing labor shortages and demand volatility, distribution centers and warehouses are rethinking how they schedule workforces. The traditional model of fixed, eight‑hour shifts across two or three blocks is giving way to more adaptive approaches. Flexible scheduling—supported by digital workforce platforms—is emerging as a way to ...

Providing a choice of language expands frontline workers’ access to the industry’s most comprehensive collection of equipment, safety and processes information.   BY REBECCA WOODS, DIRECTOR OF TALENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MHI THE WERC DISTRIBUTION Logistics Education Program has reached a new milestone: the first of its six courses—Distribution Logistics Fundamentals—is now available in Spanish. This marks an important step ...

Powered by CICMHE: Creating Synergies Between MHI and Academia   BY PROFESSOR FABIO SGARBOSSA, NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND PROFESSOR DAVID PORTER, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY   THE 17TH INTERNATIONAL Material Handling Research Colloquium (IMHRC) was held in Trondheim, Norway, from June 24‑27, 2025. Since 1990, MHI and the College Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE) have proudly ...

BY SANDY SMITH CHICAGO‑BASED STARTUP ARVIST AI is redefining warehouse automation with a vision‑based platform that integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure. Founded with a focus on safety analytics, Arvist has expanded into quality control and compliance, helping customers reduce manual tasks, eliminate barcode scanning and improve operational accuracy—without disrupting their current systems. The company just closed a $4 million seed ...

In 2025, MHI celebrates 80 years of leadership, innovation and connection in the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry. Founded in 1945 in the wake of World War II, the association has grown into a global leader in supply chain innovation, with more than 1,000 member companies shaping the equipment, systems and technologies that keep supply chains moving. From ...

1850—Sir William Fairbairn patents the Fairbairn steam crane. 1908—Hymie Goddard patents the first roller conveyor, allowing for the smooth transport of goods by means of internal ball bearings. 1913—Henry Ford introduces the moving assembly line. 1919—The automotive industry begins using free and powered conveyor lines, introduced by Jervis B. Webb, to handle mass production in factories. 1920s—Conveyors become the primary ...

Improved collaboration and advanced operational technology strategies can help enhance security.   BY CAROL MILLER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MHI Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for supply chain leaders as digitalization increases both connectivity and complexity across global networks. The growing number of digital touchpoints between suppliers, partners and enterprise systems has significantly expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals. No longer ...