Tag Archives: MHI Solutions magazine

CEO Update IN TODAY’S SUPPLY chain landscape, resilience is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. From ongoing disruptions to geopolitical shifts and climate‑related events, supply chains have been tested like never before. In response, a new era is emerging—one where artificial intelligence and automation are not just tools for efficiency, but catalysts for reinvention. This issue of MHI Solutions explores ...

Executive Viewpoint BY JAMES CABOT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, SOUTHWORTH INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC. WE ALL KNOW that we have reached a critical moment in the material handling space. Our industry is growing and evolving at a remarkable speed, creating tremendous opportunities and fresh challenges. The pandemic and the shift in consumer behavior that led to the dramatic rise of e‑commerce have ...

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 ...

BY CHRISTIAN DOW, EVP OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP, MHI When did you first notice the shift toward artificial intelligence (AI)? Perhaps during the COVID‑19 pandemic? Or maybe even earlier than that—as far back as 10 years ago or more? The answers to these questions will likely vary according to your distribution center or warehouse. But regardless of where your distribution center ...

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 ...

Economic Market Analysis BY JASON SCHENKER, PRESIDENT OF PRESTIGE ECONOMICS® AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURIST INSTITUTE® THE U.S. ECONOMY enters 2026 with renewed momentum for further upside, following a year of on‑trend improvements across the manufacturing and supply chain sectors. Throughout much of 2025, both the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and MHI Business Activity ...

BY TOM GRESHAM AUTOMATION IS HELPING to create safer material handling workplaces. However, humans still play a vital role in these environments, and overlooking their involvement can create safety risks without proper care and oversight. That is especially true for ergonomic‑related risks. “We know that it’s difficult to find talent today, so we have to keep the talent that we ...

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 KATIE KUEHNER‑HEBERT THREE GROUPS COMBINING their marketing muscle pack a much greater punch than working separately. The Overhead Alliance does just that for three MHI industry groups—the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA) and Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI). These three industry groups have many related products and business interests, serve similar industries and potentially even ...