Material Handling & Logistics – What’s Next for the Industry
Halfway through ProMat, John Nofsinger, CEO of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), took a look at what’s ahead for the industry and users of the material handling and logistics equipment and technology.
Mr. Nofsinger opened the conference by emphasizing that “material handling and logistics, when thought of as a process, remains at the core of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal activities—and, indeed at the supply chain.”
In outlining MHIA programming, Nofsinger noted the results of a recent supply chain sustainability study by MHIA that is being presented tomorrow afternoon during ProMat 2011. He noted that 48% of respondents to that study have a formal “green” initiative underway at their companies and 88% said that sustainability will be of greater importance to their facilities over the next 18-24 months.
Nofsinger then noted the research results that came out of two MHIA-funded research grants to The Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University that will be presented in two ProMat seminar sessions on Wednesday afternoon. The research topics were ergonomics in distribution centers and worker-centric warehouses.
George Prest, COO of MHIA then shared some facts and views on the economic state of the material handling & logistics industry according to the MHIA Roundtable Leaders.
Prest continued by stating that by looking at the Industry on a rate of change basis and comparing to various leading indexes, the market outlook for the material handling and logistics industry is for growth in 2011 and 2012.
According to Prest, “As far as new orders MHIA’s forecast is for growth in the 11.0% to 12.0% range in 2011-12.”
Prest cited the Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (MHEM) Forecast as a proxy for the overall industry stating MHIA is predicting shipments to grow 11.0% to 12.0% in 2011-12. Overall domestic Demand (shipments plus imports less exports) is expected to grow 11.0% to 12.0% in 2011-12. Exports will be stronger than imports in 2011.
Mr. Prest then discussed MHIA communication activities and trade events. He explained that MHIA has organized major industry events like ProMat 2011 and MODEX 2012 (held February 6-9, 2012 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center) since the late 1940’s.
Page Siplon, Executive Director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics then discussed the implications for Atlanta and Georgia as the hosts of MHIA’s next event, MODEX 2012. He discussed the leadership role the region has in logistics and how that played an important consideration when MHIA was seeking a destination for their newest event.
Jock Menzies, President of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) concluded the conference by noting the important work MHIA is doing as a founding member of the ALAN. Mr. Menzies then outlined the relief work ALAN has done in response to the Haitian earthquake and is currently doing for the current disaster in Japan. He also noted that ALAN has an exhibit on the ProMat show floor in The Hub and in booth 2876 where ProMat attendees are helping pick and pack relief kits for needy families that will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
The conference ended with Wolfgang Pech of Deutsche Messe, AG and Peter Gunter of VDMA discussing the CeMat 2011 event and the intralogistics industry in Germany.
