Industry Trends

Robotics and other types of advanced technology not only can serve to improve the efficiency and productivity of supply chain operations but can “supercharge” the productivity of workers. * By Tom Gresham * When MHI member Vecna Robotics first went to a FedEx facility to introduce its robots there, a worker reacted less than enthusiastically to the arrival of the ...

Most breakthroughs in the automotive industry impact the material handling side of this industry, but some trends have a more direct impact—such as sensors and self-driving options. * By Sandy Smith * There is no doubt that the automotive industry is shifting gears—and quite dramatically. At year’s end, a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) announced significant changes in their ...

MHI released the list of finalists for the 2019 MHI Innovation Award. After receiving 108 submissions for this year’s awards, judges comprised of professionals from the material handling and supply chain industry completed the initial vetting process. Four finalists were chosen as the most innovative products in each category – Best New Innovation; Best Innovation of an Existing Product; and ...

Find your suppy chain wow—ideas, networking, innovation, opportunity, advantages—at ProMat 2019 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, April 8-11. Read More…

MHI Names Daniel McKinnon Executive Vice President of Exhibitions and Events MH10 Subcommittees Issue Call for Membership MHI Announces Formation of New Robotics Industry Group MHI Solutions Magazine Wins MarCom Gold Award Three ANSI Standards on Industrial Shelving, Work Platforms and Ladders Released ANSI Standards ECMA 15-2018 and ECMA 35-2018 Approved for Release 300,000 Square Feet of Show Floor Reserved ...

CEO UPDATE: Data-Driven Supply Chains—Risk Versus Big Reward * By George W. Prest, Chief Executive Officer, MHI  * We can all agree that the risk of becoming a technology laggard is fraught with peril. From the famous Kodak story to more recent examples like Borders, Blockbuster and Toys “R” Us, there are many cases of major brands that failed because ...

Collaborative robotic technology is emerging as a tool for picking and other tasks, and the demand in this market is predicted to continue its exponential growth. * By Sheryl S. Jackson * The collaborative robot, or cobot, market is predicted to grow by more than 60 percent this year, according to research by Interact Analysis. The industry was worth less ...

The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies. But that’s changing. IoT and predictive analytics, in particular, are providing payoffs for early adopters. * By Mary Lou Jay * The supply chain industry has been relatively cautious in adopting technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced analytics (AA) and artificial intelligence (AI). But that’s changing ...

Women are increasingly being heard in the supply chain industry, but there is still much progress to be made. * By Fiona Soltes * While interviewing with her current company more than 20 years back, Annette Danek happened to catch a glimpse of the person in charge of fulfillment in a corner office. She knew right then that it was ...

With the uptick in workforce mobility and access to corporate networks via smartphones comes increased exposure enterprise-wide to cybersecurity threats, including those that originate within the supply chain. * By Carol Miller * Remember when your mobile phone just made phone calls? Today, smartphones/mobile devices are owned by 77% of U.S. adults, according to Pew Research. With them, voice phone ...