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Latest Updates
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 to date for MHI, with 32% more registered visitors than MODEX 2022. “From attendance to exhibition space and educational sessions, MODEX 2024 exceeded all expectations, delivering our largest and most comprehensive supply chain event to date,” said John Paxton, CEO, “The success of this event is a testament to the industry's ongoing vitality, dedication to innovation, and delivering world-class solutions for supply chain operations. It was a massive win for the entire industry.   
MODEX 2024’s opening day was highly anticipated by supply chain professionals worldwide. With groundbreaking robotics, software solutions and more, promising a glimpse into the future of our industry, you could really see the full spectrum of the supply chain. Attendees on the show floor were excited to see all the tech on display and its potential to improve their supply chain operations. This year, there are 1,200 exhibitors on the show floor displaying solutions covering the entire supply chain ecosystem. MODEX exhibitors are showcasing a variety of connected, smart automation solutions aimed at streamlining operations.
The atmosphere was nothing short of electrifying on day 2 at MODEX 2024. As the largest supply chain event of 2024, MODEX centers on delivering leading edge solutions for operations and fostering connections between manufacturing and supply chain professionals. A key aspect of MODEX is its role in bringing together the leading suppliers and thought leaders to connect supply chain solutions to supply chain needs. Click here to watch the video.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation on Day 3 at MODEX 2024, maintaining the event’s reputation as the epicenter of the supply chain world in 2024. Just like its predecessors, Day 3 was a testament to MODEX’s commitment to innovation, connection and industry progress. Record-breaking crowds of supply chain and manufacturing professionals descended upon the event, setting new benchmarks and reflecting the industry’s growth. Click here to watch the video.
The MODEX 2024 Digital Entry will provide attendees with digital access to MODEX keynote sessions, educational webinars, videos, exhibitor showcases and more. The Digital Entry will be coming in mid-to-late April – check the MODEX site for updates.
Mark your calendar – ProMat 2025 will be held on March 17-20 in Chicago! ProMat is the place where manufacturing and supply chain professionals help build the future of supply chains to discover that trend or technology that will take their supply chain to the next level of success. Whatever solutions you need to succeed, from manufacturing innovation to inspiration for your supply chain, you'll find it all at ProMat. Come and see what's new and what the future holds for your supply chain operations. Register today – admission is free! Click here to learn more.
Conference News
This year’s MODEX was an incredible experience – and there are many resources available to use after the show to keep that experience going. Here are some invaluable tools:
DC Velocity
MHI CEO John Paxton put it succinctly when summing up the MHI 2024 Annual Industry Report on Wednesday at the industry association’s MODEX trade show in Atlanta: “AI is the word of the year.” The 1,700 manufacturing and supply chain leaders who took part in the survey that formed the basis for the report certainly agreed: 84% of survey respondents said they plan to adopt artificial intelligence technologies within the next five years.
Material Handling & Logistics
One of the dominant themes of MODEX 2024, a recent trade show focused on material handling and logistics solutions, was how collaborative robots, autonomous vehicles and machine learning-based software can speed up the movement of products through a warehouse or distribution center. The Robot Report Podcast
Host Steve Crowe attended MODEX 2024 in Atlanta GA. This episode focuses on the innovative robotics solutions that he experienced at the show and his feedback on what was happening during the week, and some of the trends for robotics and automation in the warehouse and logistics space.
Keynotes, Sessions & Seminars
On Monday morning, MODEX started off strong with a keynote from Bill Seward, president of UPS Supply Chain Solutions. Seward was interviewed by Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce – here are some takeaways from their discussion:
Futurist Gerd Leonhard has an optimistic view of the future. Leonhard – CEO of The Futures Agency and Founder of The Good Future Project – is a leading voice on the future of technology. His opening statement, “The future is here, we just have to pay attention,” set the tone for a talk on the future of supply chain and technology in general.
Recent innovations in AI and technology have been overwhelming. The result? 72 percent of Americans think AI is the end of the world. Between AI, rapidly changing technology and climate change, there’s a feeling that the future will not be positive, but Leonhard doesn't agree. According to him, while we have problems, we also have an increasingly higher capacity to solve those problems, and if past trends continue, increased innovation will lead to more jobs.
According to Leonhard, the one thing AI will never do is to act like a human, with mistakes and emotion. But with AI, our capacity to work better – and differently – is increasing exponentially.
 Wednesday afternoon’s keynote gave highlights of the Annual Industry Report, titled “The Collaborative Supply Chain: Tech Driven and Human-Centric.” This survey was compiled from input from 1,700 manufacturing and supply chain industry leaders. The keynote opened with high-level findings from the report, led by John Paxton, MHI CEO. Top supply chain challenges that the report uncovered include rising prices, the talent shortage, customer demands, insight into customer behavior, and supply chain disruptions/shortages.
Then, Wanda Johnson of Deloitte led the panel, which included:
The panel discussed the report findings, specifically focusing on generative AI, supply chain resilience and the implementation of new technology.
On Wednesday morning, Nick Saban, legendary Alabama football coach, delivered a keynote with inspirational advice on facilitating a winning culture and developing talent. The conversation was led by Mitch McConnell of AGiLE Business Media. Saban, who led Alabama to seven national championships and 10 SEC titles, knows something about winning. He frequently gets asked what it takes to win, and his answer is always the same: have a gameplan, hire a good staff, prepare and have a solid system in place. But the most important thing is to ask yourself what kind of culture you'd like to build. Saban said in order to create a winning culture, you need the following:
1. Everyone has to have the same goals and aspirations for what you’d like to accomplish. At Alabama, he'd ask players what their goals were and if they knew what it would take to achieve those goals, later checking on their progress, which encouraged self-assessment. Saban said that in order to achieve goals, you need to have self-discipline, prioritize daily tasks and focus on their completion. Saban said, “It takes what it takes, and there are no shortcuts – there will be pain either way, either the pain of discipline or the pain of disappointment.”
First, define the principles and values of the organization, and once those have been established, the team needs to trust in the value of those principles and values, and also trust each other.
Saban said that if you let high achievers and mediocre people coexist in your organization, you’ll never succeed. He said, “Get the right people on the bus, get the wrong people off the bus, and get everyone in the right seat.”
The winners of the 2024 MHI Innovation Award were announced at Industry Night. After receiving 192 submissions, 12 finalists were chosen, three in each category (Best New Innovation, Best Innovation of an Existing Product, Best IT Innovation and Best Innovation in Sustainability) based on concept, value and impact. The 2024 winners are: Best New Innovation: Slip Robotics The MHI Innovation Award serves to educate and provide valuable insights on the latest manufacturing and supply chain products and services. MODEX 2024 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 full list of 2024 MHI Innovation Award submissions.
The 2024 MHI Annual Industry Report has been released. Titled, “The Collaborative Supply Chain – Tech-Driven and Human-Centric,” the report is the 11th in a series of annual industry reports published by MHI and Deloitte, and provides updates on the innovative technologies that have the most potential to transform supply chains. According to the report, 55% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and innovation investments, with 88% saying they are planning to spend over $1 million. Forty-two percent plan to spend over $10 million. This investment includes solutions for improved supply chain resiliency and transparency, as well as solutions for the ongoing workforce shortage. The report includes new insights into trends and technologies that are transforming supply chains and the priorities of the people who run them. To read the full findings, download the report here.
At Industry Night, Gig and Take was named the winner of the first-ever MODEX 2024 StartUp Pitch Competition. In this competition, three finalists competed for a cash prize. The companies had 8 minutes to present their supply chain solution, followed by a Q&A session. Paccurate and Two Boxes were also finalists. Congratulations, Gig and Take!
MODEX Insights
If you’ve got whiplash from the continuous and rapid supply chain changes that seem to happen daily, you’re not alone. Warehousing, distribution and logistics professionals have taken more quick spins than a tilt-a-whirl in the past three years. That’s why now is an excellent time to take a deep breath and refocus. Join the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)—a division of MHI—for the 47th Annual Conference, held June 2-5, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Guided by this year’s theme, Inspiring Action, the event will serve up a variety of new ideas, tools and techniques to help attendees discover new ways to navigate perpetual change. It features industry leaders and operations experts sharing insights into the latest developments across three primary tracks: People, Processes and Systems & Data. Plus, the Hilton Anatole Resort and Spa hosts the Conference, with fun and energizing amenities—including an outdoor pool complex with a lazy river—to help participants unwind. 
Videos & Sponsors
Want to catch up on MODEX proceedings? Recap videos and interviews with attendees are saved in the MHIview MODEX 2024 channel. Click here to access the channel. Networking
 Features include:
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