Features

BY CAROL MILLER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MHI FOR DECADES, SUPPLY chains have relied on spreadsheets, siloed systems and gut instinct to balance cost, service and risk. But as global networks have become more complex and data volumes have exploded, traditional tools are no longer enough. Today, structured data pours in from enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS) ...

Companies of all sizes are scrambling to unlock the benefits of artificial intelligence for their own operations. But it’s primarily the largest enterprises—those with the resources to pursue innovation—that are leading the way, using AI to retool their supply chains and make them smarter, faster, safer, more resilient and greener. In the process, they’re providing a glimpse of what the ...

Augmenting Supply Chain Talent with Intelligent Tools   BY MARY LOU JAY   COMPANIES ADOPT AI to boost efficiency, but many fall short because they overlook a critical factor: people. “People put too much focus on the technology and forget to focus on the people training, the people upskilling, on changing the process as well as the organization and the ...

How AI Helps Supply Chains Predict and Mitigate Disruptions   BY CAROL BRZOZOWSKI THE WORLD OF supply chains looks radically different from what it was a few years ago, according to Aadil Kazmi, head of artificial intelligence (AI) at MHI member Infios. He noted that while software systems built over the past three decades remain resilient, data‑driven optimizers capable of ...

Top Automation Trends Reshaping Logistics in 2026   BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER   WAREHOUSING HAS ALWAYS been about balancing cost, speed and accuracy. But in 2026, the equation is changing. Facing persistent labor shortages, unpredictable demand, and pressure to deliver faster with fewer errors, logistics leaders are turning to smart automation technologies that not only execute tasks but also anticipate, ...

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 ...