Technology

MHI’s MODEX 2024 saw a record-shattering number of registered manufacturing and supply chain professionals, reaching a total of 48,733. The event, held March 11-14 in Atlanta, saw attendees engaged with 1,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest supply chain technology and innovation across three halls and 580,000 net square feet at the Georgia World Congress Center. This was the largest MODEX event ...

Feature BY SHERYL S. JACKSON The speed, volume and complexity of the global supply chain continues to increase with the support of innovative technology that helps move goods more efficiently and safely. The 2024 MODEX exhibit hall was filled with over 1,200 exhibitors displaying the most up-to-date solutions for supply chain challenges. Ten of the innovative leaders were: ArcBest: Vaux ...

MHI received 193 submissions for this year’s Innovation Award. Finalists were chosen as the most innovative products in each category based on concept, value and impact, including the inaugural Best Innovation in Sustainability category. The MHI Innovation Award serves to educate and provide valuable insights on the latest manufacturing and supply chain products and services to MODEX attendees. MODEX 2024 ...

Higher Education A logistical challenge for retailers and a business opportunity for the material handling industry BY JENNIFER PAZOUR AND JOYJIT BHOWMICK, RESEARCHERS, RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In 2020, about 40% of Americans tried an online grocery service, resulting in a year-over-year increase of 193%.1 While not all these customers kept shopping this way, many people did. Consequently, omnichannel services, such ...

MHI Solutions Community BY CHRISTIAN DOW, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP, MHI When professional football players take the field in subzero weather conditions wearing short-sleeved jerseys and no extra layers, they’re touting their toughness. But in reality, they’ve got nothing on the dedicated warehouse workers who handle refrigerated and frozen products day in and day out. It’s ...

Transforming Last Mile Delivery with Real-Time Visibility, Technology and Data Integration BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER In supply chain, perhaps no question is asked more often than “where’s my stuff?” From ocean freight aboard transport ships, ports and inbound logistics via rail or tractor trailer, to receiving at the warehouse or distribution center for crossdocking or put away into stored inventory, ...

  IS DIGITIZATION A PRIORITY? 73%of warehouse decision makers have or will be accelerating timelines of modernization projects 86%of associates agree that implementing warehouse technologies, robotics and devices would help attract and retain workers 69%of warehouse decisionmakers already have or are planning to automate workflows by 2024 to support warehouse associates and shift them toward more customer-centric, high-value tasks 58%of ...

After years in development, autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles continue to tantalize with their potential to keep supply chains moving in the distribution yard and on the highway. That alluring promise appears closer than ever to being fulfilled, but how humans will figure into the equation remains to be seen. BY DAVID H. COBURN When MHI member Phantom Auto began developing ...

Automating your DC to Speed Up Delivery BY LINDSEY ROONEY, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS, MHI For retailers struggling to speed up the last mile of delivery, it could be productive to look backward. The so-called “middle mile of logistics,” where products travel from a factory or port to a distribution or fulfillment center, is ripe for the type of performance enhancements that ...

Sustainability Solution for Freight Rail Includes a Range of Technologies BY SHERYL S. JACKSON Electrification of rail transportation is one way to reduce greenhouse gases and meet the sustainability goals of regulators, rail industry members, manufacturers and customers. The call for rail electrification is spurred by growing interest in the reduction of emissions and mandates such as regulations passed in ...