Tag Archives: supply chain

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 ...

MHI News The industry’s largest manufacturing and supply chain trade show returns to McCormick Place in April 2027 MHI recently announced the dates for ProMat 2027, which will be held from April 19 to 21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. ProMat is the largest international manufacturing and supply chain show and conference held in the United States. ProMat brings together solution ...

MHI News In‑person event to feature nearly 1,000 exhibitors, 200 sessions and keynotes from Salim Ismail and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. When the largest manufacturing and supply chain trade event of 2026, MODEX, returns to Atlanta on April 13, it will include over 1,000 exhibitors from leading solution providers and a comprehensive Educational Conference focusing on best‑in‑class solutions for manufacturing and ...

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, ...

MHI News The Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) Industry Group recently introduced its latest initiative: the ASRS Roadmap—a dynamic, user‑focused resource designed to guide organizations through the journey of evaluating and implementing ASRS solutions. The ASRS Roadmap is a comprehensive, evolving tool that supports users at every stage of their decision‑making process—from initial discovery to building a business case. ...

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 ...

MHI News The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) released its 2025 DC Measures Report today at the WERC Annual Conference in New Orleans. This year’s report stresses the importance of vigilance and vision in the warehousing and distribution industry, stating, “Vision and vigilance matter, as the market can quickly change and leave the firm behind.” Benchmarking Insights from Across ...

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 ...