MODEX 2024
Latest Updates On MODEX

The manufacturing and supply chain community came together in a big way after four years for a record-setting ProMat event, according to show producer MHI. With an overall registration count of 50,924 and 1,051 exhibitors, the event featured 562,700 net square feet of exhibit solutions and over 150 educational sessions encompassing 1.2 million square feet at Chicago’s McCormick Place. 
 
This was the largest ProMat event to date for MHI, with 12% more registered attendees than the last pre-pandemic show—ProMat 2019. The event also saw a rebound in international attendance with attendees representing 178 countries.
 
“MHI is committed to bringing this industry together to share leading-edge trends, technology, and innovations. The success of ProMat 2023 is proof of that and the supply chain industry’s continued relevance to the marketplace and central role in commerce,” says John Paxton, CEO, MHI. “No other event showcases all this industry has to offer to improve operational productivity and efficiency across manufacturing and supply chains. With so much tech and end-to-end solutions, ProMat offers this industry a one-stop-shop for solutions and the unparalleled education attendees need to survive and even thrive in a constantly changing marketplace.”
 
Click here to read the full article.

The ProMat 2023 Digital Entry will provide digital access to content from ProMat, including keynote sessions, educational webinars, videos, exhibitor showcases and more. 
 
The Digital Entry will be coming by April 17—check the ProMat site for updates.

ProMat attendees were beyond thrilled to be back after a four-year hiatus, and the first-day excitement was palpable. In this Day 1 video recap, the MHI video team highlights exhibitors from the over 1,000 booths on the show floor. Monday's keynote, a panel of female supply chain leaders who discussed leading trends and challenges, was also featured, as was the Women in the Supply Chain Forum led by Marguerite Ham. 
 
ProMat 2023 provided a wide variety of opportunities to learn about the latest technology and trends through keynotes, education sessions and exhibitors, and Day 1 was an excellent start. 
 
Click here to watch the video.

Sponsored by Swisslog Logistics, Inc.

On ProMat Day 2, the show kicked into high gear. The Day 2 video recap includes interviews with exhibitors who demonstrated how they are meeting the needs of the industry with innovative products. The video also includes highlights from keynote José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, as well as the Young Professionals Network meet-and-greet, and the WERC Connects Panel. 

Day 2 continued to provide attendees with the absolute best opportunities for education and networking, giving insight into the future of the supply chain.

Click here to watch the video.

Sponsored by Fives Intralogistics Corp.

Day 3 of ProMat opened strong. The day started with the presentation of the MHI Annual Industry Report, which focused on transparency and sustainability, and included a panel that discussed the real-world significance of the report's findings. 
 
This Day 3 video recap includes highlights from that presentation, as well as interviews with key exhibitors showcasing the latest technology. And, Day 3 had an iconic special guest: Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, who shared thoughts on inspiration, empowerment and the creative process. Day 3 was also Student Day, an opportunity for scholars to attend ProMat and participate in special presentations and show floor tours. The day culminated in the MHI Industry Awards, celebrating achievements in innovation and headlined by comedian Nate Bargatze. 
 
ProMat 2023 really was the best-ever—with record attendance, top-notch exhibitors displaying the newest products, and a solid education line-up, the 50,000+ attendees had lots to choose from. Make plans now to attend MODEX 2024 in Atlanta on March 11-14. 
 
Click here to watch the video.

  
Did we catch you on camera at ProMat 2023?
 
ProMat videos are saved in our ProMat 2023 channel—watch daily wrap ups, interviews from the show floor, and more.
 

Save the date! Come to MODEX 2024 in Atlanta on March 11-14. 

MODEX 2024 is your unique event opportunity to make new contacts, discover cutting-edge solutions, and learn the latest trends that are sure to give you a leg up on the competition. With over 900 of the leading providers in the industry, four powerful keynotes and 150+ free education sessions, there are ample opportunities to learn, network and grow.

Whatever manufacturing and supply chain solutions or insights you need to power your business, you’ll find them at MODEX 2024. There is no cost to attend the exhibits and conference sessions. 

Register today for free admission.

Click here to learn more.

PHOTO BY JOEY KYBER ON UNSPLASH

Ancra Cargo
Engineering Innovation
Conference News

ProMat 2023 has come to an end, but you can still utilize tools from the show to help you network and find new products. Here are 10 ways to connect and learn from ProMat:

  1. Utilize the ProMat Digital Entry, which will provide digital access to content from the show, including keynote sessions, educational webinars, videos, exhibitor showcases and more—coming by April 17.
  2. Watch videos from ProMat 2023, including keynotes, discussions with exhibitors, feedback from attendees and other highlights.
  3. Use the ProMat app to engage with exhibitors, even after the show.
  4. Keep the ProMat exhibitor list bookmarked so you can continue reaching out to these providers and find the right solution for you.
  5. Read about the top innovations at ProMat in the next issue of MHI Solutions magazine.
  6. Missed an education session? Use the list of on-floor seminars to check out the sessions that were presented, and reach out to speakers if you need more information.
  7. Check out the press releases by ProMat’s exhibitors and search for the solution you need.
  8. Sign up for our weekly AI (artificial intelligence) Newswire to read the latest news about ProMat—and get weekly industry insights.
  9. Browse Twitter to see what you might have missed—search for #ProMat2023, and follow @PoweredByMHI.
  10. Read through the event coverage in our daily newsletter archives for recaps and other resources.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive
When you think Chicago, do you think robotics? If you visited MHI's ProMat, you might. From Bastian's C18 automated forklifts to AutoStore's Bins, technology took the stage to show off all of the incredible strides being made in every facet of logistics.
CBS Chicago
The ProMat show has seen growth, with more people walking the floor than ever before. The show is helping the city's long-term recovery, with over 50,000 registrations.
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Keynotes, Sessions & Seminars
Monday morning's keynote brought together a diverse group of women who spoke on the acceleration of change and technology in the industry, and the role that women play in initiating that change.
 
The keynote was moderated by Michelle Dilley of AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education), a group that brings women in the industry together to act as the catalyst for innovation and industry improvements. Panelists included:
• Annette Danek Akey, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Penguin Random House
• Maria G. Llamas, Sr. Director – Fulfillment Productivity & Systems, Hasbro
• Ammie McAsey, SVP Customer Distribution Experience, McKesson
• Rachel Cox, Director – Supply Chain Strategy, Grupo Bimbo
 
The focus of the discussion centered around the change initiated by the pandemic, and the subsequent accelerated push for investments in new technology, including an increased focus on automation. The new technology will make it possible to improve overall processes and employee experiences. This aligns with new initiatives to increase the investment in people through providing the right tools, ensuring enhanced safety and making sure employees have a good overall experience. To augment the employee experience, automation can provide the ability to take repetitive processes out of the mix. Another part of this equation is making sure employees hired have the ability to finetune the automation equipment, as well as ensuring the right technology is used in the right amount.
 
  
“We show up at our best, giving people the best we can, because that sends a message.” This statement from José Andrés resonated with the 1,000+ attendees at Tuesday morning's keynote. This world-famous chef is known for more than just his food—he runs the World Central Kitchen (WCK), a nonprofit organization that provides hot meals to people affected by natural disasters and other crises around the world. Hot meals provide more sustenance and support than just donating food, according to Andrés.
 
Born in Spain, Andrés became a household name in the culinary world. He opened a number of successful restaurants, wrote cookbooks and appeared on TV shows. But it wasn't until 2010 that he truly became a global figure with the founding of the WCK. The organization has responded to dozens of disasters and emergencies around the world. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, for example, WCK set up a network of food trucks that served hot meals to thousands of people each day. In Puerto Rico, following Hurricane Maria in 2017, they provided more than 3 million meals—and in each location, they tailor what they cook to the regional cuisine for added comfort.

On Wednesday morning, the findings of the MHI 2023 Annual Industry Report were presented to ProMat attendees. Titled  The Responsible Supply Chain: Transparency, Sustainability, and the Case for Business, the report focuses on the trends and digital technologies that are transforming supply chains.

John Paxton, MHI CEO, opened the keynote, saying that responsible supply chains should react in real-time to changing conditions, which will require actionable data, automation and automated decision-making. Paxton also said that investments in technology such as automation, IoT, advanced analytics and AI will arm your operations to be able to provide speed, accuracy and improved visibility. These solutions enable the real-time decision-making and transparency necessary for improving performance up and down the responsible supply chain.

Wanda Johnson of Deloitte then joined a panel of manufacturing and supply chain thought leaders to discuss the findings. The panel included:

  • Biswaranjan (Bish) Sen, Chief Product Supply Chain Officer, Unilever
  • Amanda Davies, Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer, Mars Wrigley
  • Kristi Montgomery, Vice President, Innovation, Research & Development, Kenco Group
  • Donnie F. Williams Jr., Executive Director - Supply Chain Management Research Center; Associate Professor - Supply Chain Management, The Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas

The report is based on a survey of over 2,000 supply chain professionals, and this year's findings are powerful: 74% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments, with 90% saying they are planning to spend over $1 million, an increase of 24% over last year. Thirty-six percent plan to spend over $10 million, up 19%. This investment includes solutions for improved supply chain resiliency, transparency and sustainability as well solutions for the ongoing workforce shortage. 

The report also includes findings on sustainability and responsibility, climate readiness assessment, the workforce, and more. Download it here.

  
Ron Howard was born with an aptitude to be in the entertainment business, but he doesn’t love the spotlight. But from the very first time he acted, he loved the idea of sharing and connecting through art.
 
In his keynote on Wednesday afternoon, Howard discussed the lessons, struggles and triumphs of a 60+-year career, as well as the role of creativity and problem-solving in moviemaking and in life.
 
Over the years, creativity was something that Howard witnessed over and over again, and he realized that the more you practice creativity, the better you get at it—and your problem-solving skills increase as well. In particular, Andy Griffith created a very creative environment on the set—the actors were allowed to participate in script rewrites, and Howard remembered how that camaraderie and participation empowered the actors.
TAWI
Attabotics

MHI is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 MHI Innovation Awards. After receiving 156 submissions for this years’ awards, judges comprised of professionals from the material handling and supply chain industry completed the initial vetting process.

Four finalists were previously chosen and announced as the most innovative products in each category—Best New Innovation, Best Innovation of an Existing Product, and Best IT Innovation based on concept, value, and impact. The winners were announced at the MHI Industry Night at ProMat. The 2023 MHI Innovation Award winners are:

Best New Innovation 
Agility Robotics
 
Best Innovation of an Existing Product
Hai Robotics
 
Best IT Innovation
OneRack

The MHI Innovation Award serves to educate and provide valuable insights on the latest manufacturing and supply chain products and services to ProMat attendees. ProMat 2023 exhibitors were called to submit a new product, product line, technology or service or new application of existing products or technology that create quantifiable and sustainable results in terms of ROI, cost savings, customer satisfaction, etc.

Click here for a list of 2023 MHI Innovation Award submissions. 

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The variety of products available to e-commerce consumers have expanded dramatically. With this change comes an increasing number of goods received by retailers in an ever-expanding variety of pallet load patterns. The processes of breaking down these pallets and placing their contents into an automation system are common operational bottlenecks. Learn the significant benefits depalletizers have to offer DCs and explore the increasingly attractive business case for implementing these solutions.
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MODEX Insights

The Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), a division of MHI, has announced its full conference program online for the WERC Annual Conference. Featuring a theme of “Growth through Disruption,” this in-person event will be hosted at the Hilton Orlando in Florida June 4-7.   
 
The conference provides a wealth of educational sessions that address the current concerns of WERC members, such as ongoing workforce challenges and escalating costs. The sessions are organized into the following tracks: People, Processes, and Systems & Data. Presented in such formats as keynote, thought leader sessions, and peer-2-peer discussion sessions, these sessions offer real world examples of how to address workforce issues and improve operations. 

Click here to read more.

Win-Holt Equipment Group
Generix Group
Networking
This issue of MHI Solutions focuses on current advances in technology, including AI, robotics, AMR and more. 
 
Want to learn more about  MHI Solutions magazine or MHI? Visit MHISolutionsmag.com, access the online media guide, or reach out to:
Carol Miller, MHI Chief Marketing Officer, at cmiller@mhi.org
Robin Lamerson, Naylor Association Solutions Editor, at robin@naylor.com
Jason Zawada, Naylor Association Solutions Integrated Media Director, at jzawada@naylor.com 
 
Click here to learn more.
 
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