Industry Trends

BY MARY LOU JAY The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the supply chains of many sectors, and many companies are still feeling the aftershocks. As they try to get back to normal operations, businesses are pondering what they need to do to build supply chains that are, if not quite invincible, at least more resilient. These six strategies could increase their chance ...

BY SANDY SMITH As the spring 2020 season was upon us, magazines were touting some interesting new apparel trends: white dresses, neon colors, bootcut jeans and warm-weather leather. Then COVID-19 shut down retailers, sending us all to our sweatpants and T-shirts and leaving those white, leather, bootcut items unsold. A study by Boston Consulting Group, released by the Sustainable Apparel ...

BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT Having an ergonomically designed warehouse and training workers how to safely perform physical tasks can improve their wellbeing and productivity—as well as potentially minimize workers’ compensation costs. Indeed, about a third to as much as half of all workers’ comp claims are associated with manual material handling tasks, according to CNA Insurance Co. Moreover, manual material handling ...

Welcome to this special issue of MHI Solutions, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of MHI.

What statistics say about the supply chain, its infrastructure—75 years ago, the present day and the future.

From 1850 when Sir William Fairbairn patented the industrial crane to 2020 when COVID-19 tested every joint in the supply chain, these are some of the milestones in the material handling industry.

On a timeline representing MHI’s rich 75-year history, the MHI Solutions Community doesn’t appear until almost the very end. But the group has made significant contributions to the industry in its short history, bringing together a variety of stakeholders and fostering an environment of collaboration.

Since 1952, the College-Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CICMHE), an independent organization founded by MHI, has provided the structure to help develop connections between industry and academic leaders that have allowed for a deep appreciation across the divide and a sharp understanding of the ways university-industry partnerships can lead to valuable insight and benefits to the material handling field.

MHI releases third edition in a series of forward-looking industry Roadmaps with “Transformation Age: Shaping Your Future.”

For 75 years, MHI has served the interests of material handling and supply chain firms by providing a forum for connections, educational and knowledge resources, industry leadership and market access via our premier exhibitions showcasing member innovations—all while raising awareness of the critical role the industry plays in our daily lives.