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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 ...

This year’s tariff turmoil is just the latest in a growing list of shocks to global supply chains. Experts say we can expect more frequent and less predictable challenges to stability from geopolitical upheaval, wars, extreme weather, supply‑and‑demand fluctuations—and even the occasional black swan event. As disruption becomes the new normal, companies are evolving new mindsets, strategies and tactics to ...

How Agentic AI Turns Supply Chain Uncertainty into Business Advantage Five industry experts share how agentic artificial intelligence is transforming supply chains by enabling autonomous decision‑making, real‑time adaptation and resilience in the face of an unpredictable future.   BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER   In today’s globalized and hyper‑connected world, supply chains face an extraordinary array of challenges. From geopolitical instability, ...

Emerging Technologies Give Companies Insights from Every Vantage Point   BY NICK FORTUNA   When supply chains operate in the dark, costs add up quickly—and for too long, instinct and improvisation have stood in for solid information. “Supply chains, by and large, are run by heroes,” said William Wappler, chief executive of MHI member Surgere. “These folks often don’t have ...

Protecting the Power and the Water Supply   BY MARY LOU JAY   Discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the supply chain tend to focus on all the potential benefits it offers for improving operations. But those improvements come at a cost that is just now starting to receive more attention: Implementing AI places considerable demands on ...

How Accurate, Unified Data Enhances Efficiency, Forecasting and Resilience   BY VICTORIA LIM   The frantic scramble for toilet paper and hand sanitizer during the COVID‑19 pandemic just a few years ago was likely the first time many consumers paid attention to supply chains. The world saw firsthand that supply chains aren’t just logistics puzzles; they are essential systems working ...