During the recent MODEX 2016 event, MHI hosted a Keynote Panel on the findings of the 2016 MHI Annual Industry Report titled Accelerating Change: How Innovation is Driving Digital Always-On Supply Chains. The video of this Keynote Panel is now available for viewing to provide an up-to-date perspective on emerging supply chain trends.

When new technology hits the market it can be difficult to determine if and when to adopt. In the video, Paul Dittmann, executive director of the Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee, shares helpful tips to make sure new technology fits within your company strategy. 

Over the past few decades, the American perception of the manufacturing industry has diminished. This results from the prevalence of factory closures, staff layoffs and the disappearance of American-made products from store shelves. However, the U.S. manufacturing industry is showing signs of growth and an increase in job openings. Now, the industry is addressing common misconceptions about manufacturing jobs in an effort to combat challenges and educate future generations.

Along with over 800 exhibitors featuring their supply chain solutions on the show floor, MODEX featured a supply chain conference that included over 100 educational seminars outlining leading trends, best practices and state-of-the-art equipment and technology solutions. Webinars of MODEX 2016 educational seminar sessions are now available or viewing online.

Technology plays a major role in collaboration, a role that will only grow larger in the future, according to new research from the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute. 

MHI recently announced the theme and speakers for the 2016 MHI Executive Summit. The theme is accelerating change in supply chains, and the Executive Summit is an Invitation Only, Senior Level, One-Day Event exclusively for manufacturing and supply chain executive leadership. The event will be held October 16 at the Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson, AZ.

Referred to as "the greatest Supply Chain show on earth," MODEX 2016 made its mark in Atlanta and did not disappoint. With over 800 exhibitors, countless networking opportunities, and daily education sessions by industry experts, themes such as labor shortage, safety and ergonomics, and accuracy became common points of discussion. These growing factors for inflection are being addressed by emerging technologies, many of which were showcased at the event. Here are a few to watch for.

In the video, Todd Farwell, innovation architect & global deployment champion at Caterpillar, Inc. discusses how sensors and automatic identification give companies the opportunity to make important supply chain decisions based on real-time data.

As an indicator of the strength of the supply chain industry, attendees registered in record numbers for the MODEX 2016 expo held April 4-7 in Atlanta's Georgia World Congress Center. 

MHI Young Professionals Network and the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) have partnered for this year’s Emerging Leaders Conference, July 28 at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago, IL.  This year’s conference is a one-day interactive event focusing on leadership development, career advancement and networking. The theme is Unlocking Secrets for Professional and Personal Success.

When it comes to moving products through a facility, sometimes you just need a little more. When it comes to automated conveyor—while lineshaft, chain and belt driven motor conveyors have historically been the mainstay solutions—over the last several years 24-volt DC motor driven roller (MDR) has been gaining ground.

The leading authority on underhung cranes and monorail systems, Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA), has launched a five-minute video to raise awareness of monorails and particularly MMA as a premier source for solutions to material handling challenges. 

In the video, Eric Lamphier, senior director of product management at Manhattan Associates discusses the advantages mobile technology brings to labor management.

For the first time, ProMat will have exhibits in both the South and North Hall of McCormick Place. Two new Solution Centers will be introduced at ProMat 2017, autonomous vehicle solutions and sustainable facility solutions. These two Solution Centers will be located in the North Hall of McCormick Place.

MHI would like to congratulate the 2016 Face of the Supply Chain winner Luis Castaneda of Raymond Handling Concepts Corporation and thank all participants who shared their #iWorkInTheSupplyChain story in an effort to inspire next generation workers. We also invite you to continue to share your stories on the iWorkInTheSupplyChain blog. 

MHI recently announced the MHI 2016 Young Professional Network (YPN) Award winners during the MHI Industry Night at MODEX event on April 6.